At the NCAA Convention today, Texas A&M, along with most other Big 12 schools, will be voting to block sand volleyball from being added to the NCAA list of emerging sports.

The following Big 12 schools have publicly come out against sand volleyball:

Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Missouri
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Nebraska
Texas Tech
Texas A&M

I know it is surprising to see Nebraska on the list, considering that we are one of the few schools that already has an indoor sand court, and even started the first motions to add sand volleyball. However, the decision has been made to vote in alliance with the conference, due to the (valid) concerns expressed by some schools.

Wow. A lot of people were counting on this to bring the Big 12 closer to the same number of sports for the Director's Cup as other conferences, without spending a lot of money.

What are the concerns?

Oh well. I would be more in favor of beach volleyball if Sarah Ammerman wasn't a senior.

In the vote a short time ago, the results were 58% against sand volleyball...however, the vote required a 5/8 majority (62.5%) to actually remove it from the NCAA emerging sports lists. Which means sand volleyball may be starting up as soon as next spring.

The West Coast schools had enough votes to carry the day.

Personally, I think the proposed model is a mistake and this is an unfortunate outcome.

[This message has been edited by Husker (edited 1/15/2010 5:18p).]

DETAILLLSSS!

Texas?

"Get your licks in while you can..."

i don't follow volleyball, and this is purely speculation, but I would think one concern is that a lot of West Coast athletes that might otherwise go to other schools on v-ball schollys will now stay on WC and play beach vball on scholly. So, the WC remains stronger, in TWO sports, and the other schools suffer a talent drain.

also, there's not a lot of beach volleyball happening away from the coast, in most areas. seems like a real niche sport.

maybe i'm wrong....

I didn't read much on it, but at one point, northern schools are worried about budget, resources and being able to attract kids in order to compete against kids going to school in the south or on the coast.

AVP pushing for Sand:
http://www.avp.com/News/2009/11/Sand-Editorial.aspx

USAV noting the differences in indoor/sand:
http://usavolleyball.org/blogs/usav-beach-blog/posts/1399

[This message has been edited by AgVball (edited 2/3/2010 10:28a).]

Also, I like how OSU votes against it...they don't even have an indoor team