Photo by Kim North Bob Holmes, a 1-man Volleyball Team, gave an inspirational speech following his victory over members of the Wheeling Police Department Thursday night inside the ‘Palace on the Hill’ at Wheeling Park High School. Holmes gave a message to those in attendance that “There Is Hope” for everyone in the world.

WHEELING — Bob Holmes is much more than a one-man volleyball team. He is also an emotional motivational speaker as was displayed Thursday night at the ‘Palace on the Hill’ inside Wheeling Park High School.

‘There Is Hope’ was the message Holmes stressed during his 90-minute presentation to the approximately 100 individuals in attendance.

“So many people are dying from alcohol, drugs, bullying, suicide and predators on the Internet that I just want to bring hope to the different communities that I visit,” Holmes said. “There are too many people dying in the world that don’t have too.”

Prior to his faith-based speech, the 68-year-old Holmes, who has never played organized volleyball, defeated members of the Wheeling Police Department in his performance as a 1-man volleyball team. Holmes won 25-21, scoring the final four points to secure his 20,017th victory against 470 losses.

“I want to be able to return to the Ohio Valley later this year and hit a lot of schools that we missed this time,” Holmes said.

During his week in the Ohio Valley, he gave presentations at the Bridgeport, Martins Ferry and Wheeling Park high schools, along with Steenrod and Madison elementary schools in Wheeling.

Taking to the court for the Wheeling Police Department were Josh Sanders, Gregg Harris, Kevin Goode, Zach Herron, John Haglock and Shan Presley. Cheering them on was Patches the Police Bear.

The police department now joins professional teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Orioles as victims of Holmes. He has played in more than 6,000 gymnasiums and before more than six million people, with a tangible positive impact on more than 100,000 lives. He has been recognized by Ripley’s Believe It or Not for playing more games than any athlete in history, and has been featured on many of the major television networks, along with the Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

Holmes cited several stories people have relayed to him about the troubling issues they have undergone in their lives.

Wheeling Park High School senior Abigail Howard gave her own testimonial about the struggles she has endured during her young life.

Before the event got started, the City of Wheeling honored the Wheeling Police and Fire departments with proclamations for their work to keep the city safe. Councilwoman Connie Cain presented Police Department Major Josh Sanders with a plaque and then accepted the Fire Department’s plaque as they were unable to participate as they buried one of their own earlier in the day.

Two members of the Wheeling Nailers donated tickets to the police and fire departments for their Nov. 9 game, which is First Responders Night. Peter Laviolette III and Matt Koopman made the presentation.