About Us
OUR STORY
In the late summer of 1995, Bob Kelly dreamed up an idea for a local volleyball tournament at Durango High School. Over the last two decades, the Durango Fall Classic has become anything but unremarkable. Instead, it’s become unquestionably the most prestigious and competitive high school volleyball event anywhere in the country.
“I have a hard time accepting that it’s the top tournament in the country, simply because I never thought it would be in that position,” said Kelly. “I thought it would be a good, solid regional tournament. I’m very proud of how it’s evolved. It lives its own life.”
BOB KELLY
Tournament Co-Director
A California native, Robert (Bob) Kelly began at Clark in 1978 and, with Kelly O’Quinn-Johnson assisting, led the Chargers to the first of their five state titles in 1981. Their 1989 squad featured future Olympian Charlene Johnson Tagaloa, and his final two teams went a combined 56-1. In 1993, Kelly and O’Quinn-Johnson moved to Durango and continued working together.
By 1997, the two had led Durango to a state title. The Trailblazers also won the 1999 boys state crown. Durango’s 2002 and 2003 girls teams lost only one set to a team from Nevada and won back-to-back state crowns.
After 30 years of coaching , Bob retired after delivering a combined nine state titles in boys and girls volleyball at Clark and Durango.
KELLY O’QUINN-JOHNSON
Tournament Co-Director
A Las Vegas native, Kelly began teaching and coaching volleyball at Hyde Park Middle School in 1980. With Bob Kelly, they led the Clark High School Chargers to their first state title in 1981, the first of five state crowns. Their 1988 and 1989 championship squad featured future Olympian Charlene Johnson Tagaloa, and their 1991 and 1992 teams went a combined 56-1. In 1993, Bob and Kelly moved to Durango and continued working together.
By 1997, the two had led Durango to its first state title. Durango’s 2002 and 2003 girls’ state championship teams went undefeated against Nevada schools while winning back-to-back state crowns.
Bob and Kelly retired from the Clark COunty School District and are now working at Odyssey Charter High School. They have proudly directed the Durango Fall Classic since 1995.
Kelly said that the finest comment she has received about the Durango Fall Classic was from a reporter who wrote that the best day of high school volleyball in the country is Saturday at the Durango Fall Classic.