So not too long ago we got wind that sand volleyball was not a shoo-in for emerging sport status; that there were some concerns. But we didn't get a lot of information about the situation. Then I read a piece by Graham Watson at ESPN.com where it seemed that sand volleyball was a go. In email correspondence with her, she told me that things were proceeding as planned, but that were a few details to be ironed out.
Now I have read that a second vote as to whether to approve sand volleyball for the NCAA's emerging sport designation will be taken in January. The second vote (the first was in April) is because there are issues over what exactly sand volleyball will look like--as in will it just be an additional season of indoor volleyball similar to indoor/outdoor track. And whether this is desirable. Also schools with indoor volleyball are concerned that they will lose recruits if they do not or cannot add sand volleyball.
In other words, stay tuned.
My concern, which I could not find echoed anywhere, is over sand volleyball as a revenue producer. Some believe the sport could quickly become a revenue-generating sport. And I think we all know how they intend to get those dollars--all we have to do is look at how sand volleyball and its female athletes are promoted at the Olympic and professional levels.

View Original Post at title-ix.blogspot.com

• Filed Under:  
• Volleyball, Sports, SportsPLUS, College, Student-Athlete, Beach Volleyball

• Tags:
• college
• ncaa
• women
• sand volleyball
• emerging sports

There are 2 comments on this post. Join the discussion!

MagsHofmann

I agree...it may be more of a revenue producer based on how it is promoted. Lets face it, people come to watch women athletes who are in great shape, lean, beautiful, powerful and strong playing in little clothing. The attire is what attracts most fans I believe. I am a former Div. I vb player and former coach. I am not sure yet how I feel about sand vb becoming an NCAA sponsored sport. I do however think it will hurt interest and attendance in the 6-person indoor game. It seems like the 6-person indoor game is getting left out in the cold. And, I think the overly skimpy attire that is required in sand volleyball these days is getting ridiculous.

Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 3:25pm EDT

robm

Professional and Olympic beach volleyball are fine as far as I'm concerned, but then I don't follow the sport that closely (the time around the Olympics perhaps being an exception). I am a fan of NCAA indoor volleyball, though, and watch it whenever possible.

So while in principle I don't have a problem with the NCAA adding beach volleyball, like Margaret I am a little worried that it will divert attention from the indoor game.

Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 10:54am EDT