GCU announces end of Division I men’s volleyball, but faces heavy resistance

PHOENIX — After 17 years, Grand Canyon University’s varsity men’s volleyball program is coming to an end.

The university announced Monday that it would be discontinuing the program after the end of the team’s season last week. Although they’ll no longer be sponsored, men’s volleyball will still be offered as a club sport.

“In a rapidly evolving college athletics landscape, GCU is constantly evaluating how it can best position itself as a Division I athletic department and a university,” the university announced on its website. “The move will allow GCU to focus on supporting its remaining 20 athletic programs at the highest levels in their respective conferences.”

The Lopes boasted a solid season, going 18-10 and making it all the way to MPSF Championship Quarterfinals. 

But for student athletes pursuing a career in men’s volleyball, options are getting scarce. While 346 of the 364 Division I schools sponsor women’s volleyball, there are only about 20 to 30 schools that sponsor men’s volleyball.

The Lopes had their best season in program history in 2024, upsetting top-ranked UCLA to win their first MPSF title and advancing to the NCAA Final Four for the first time. They finished just five points short of a spot in the national championship match.

Now, the team’s 20 players — including five from Arizona — will be forced to transfer if they wish to continue to play. GCU was the only D-I men’s volleyball program in Arizona and one of just 28 in the country.

For players like junior setter and team captain Jaxon Herr, the announcement came without warning. He is an Arizona native who dreamed of playing for GCU since seventh grade, but now faces an uncertain future.

“It was hard to sleep last night thinking that I won’t be able to come back here next year,” he said.

GCU said it will continue to offer men’s volleyball as a club sport and that student-athletes on scholarship will have their scholarships honored if they remain enrolled. The university said the decision is final and no other athletic programs are being cut.

Former assistant coach Matt August, who helped lead GCU to its historic 2024 season, launched the online petition to save the team.

“Not even being a part of it anymore, everything in me just made me want to do something to help fix this,” August said. “The volleyball community in Arizona really loves this program.”

The decision has left players and coaches with unanswered questions.

“We had a couple questions, and they didn’t fully get answered,” Herr said. “We’re kind of puzzled here today.”

Despite the uncertainty, players say the public support has been a source of comfort.

“It’s honestly amazing to see how much support we do have and the impact we have on this community,” Herr said.

Arizona State University tells 12 News it has no plans to add a men’s volleyball team or any additional sports teams in the near future.

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