Omori, Hyozo
Biographical Note
Hyozo Omori was born in Okayama Japan on March 14, 1876. After attending Stanford University, Omori went to the International YMCA Training School, now Springfield College, and graduated with a B.P.E. (Bachelors of Physical Education) in 1907. Through a summer job in 1906 as a cook and gardener, he met his future wife in his employer, Anne Shepley. After their marriage, they moved back to Japan where Omori introduced and popularized Basketball and Volleyball in the Tokyo YMCA. He was the head coach of the first Japanese Olympic team that participated in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. With his wife, he created a boys shelter and a social welfare service in Tokyo called Yurin-en House (house of the friendly neighbor). On his way back from the Stockholm Olympics, Omori died of Tuberculous. Annie returned to Japan, carrying on his vision and their social work until her death in 1941.