Cal Begins Construction Of New Beach Volleyball Facility

BVB5/6/2025 9:00 AM | By: Cal Athletics

Complex Will Allow For Continued Compliance Of Title IX

BERKELEY – The University of California has begun construction of the Banatao Family Beach Volleyball Stadium, located west of Edwards Stadium at the corner of Bancroft Street and Fulton Way.

“We are thrilled about the construction of our new state-of-the-art beach volleyball facility,” Cal Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton said. “It will allow our program to compete against the best and provide our student-athletes with the resources they need to have the world-class student-athlete experience that Cal offers. I’m looking forward to watching it come to life.”

The renovation is expected to take 16-18 months to complete. Cal’s beach volleyball team has been playing and practicing at the Clark Kerr Sand Courts, which will remain for recreational use. The new facility will be managed by Cal Athletics and be used for other recreational activities as well.

Key features of the facility include:

• Five sand volleyball courts designed for NCAA competition
• A building with team rooms, locker rooms, restrooms, coaches’ offices and storage
• Enhanced amenities such as lighting, a scoreboard, public address system and an area for spectators

“We are thrilled to break ground on our new facility,” Cal head coach Meagan Owusu said. “This project will positively impact every piece of our program, from student-athlete experience to recruiting to training. Our program is grateful to Jim Knowlton, (Chancellor) Rich Lyons and the rest of the campus and athletic department for supporting this project.” 

Cal’s beach volleyball program is one of the most successful in the nation, having reached the NCAA Tournament in each of the past four seasons and finished the year in the national rankings for eight consecutive seasons.

The renovation project is being partially funded by Cal’s successful Gender Equity Campaign that raised $8 million. The campaign was launched to support the university’s commitment to and compliance with Title IX — the landmark federal law enacted in 1972 that prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving any type of federal financial aid.

“We are immeasurably grateful for the support of our Cal Family – including the campaign committee, donors and the Banatao family – that understands the significance of gender equity and helped make this project possible,” Cal Chief Development Officer Beth Tafolla-Voetsch said. “I can’t wait to see our student-athletes compete at what will be one of the premier facilities in the country.”

To learn more or to make a gift, please contact the Cal Athletics Fund at calathleticsfund@berkeley.edu or 510-642-2427.