Connect with us
https://yoursportsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/call-to-1.png

Sports

GCU athletes search for options after college cuts Volleyball program

Published

on


Grand Canyon University cuts its men’s volleyball program, causing widespread disappointment in the community and among athletes.

PHOENIX — Grand Canyon University’s men’s volleyball team went from being the top-ranked squad in the nation to nonexistent in just two years. In late April, the university announced it would eliminate the program, citing a desire to focus resources on its 20 other varsity teams — a move that has sent shockwaves through the volleyball community.

Weeks after the cut, a groundswell of support has emerged. Local high school teams have worn purple in solidarity before matches. Even other NCAA men’s volleyball programs have voiced their disapproval.

“We’re just trying to put the word out there and not let the flame die,” UCLA player Cameron Thorne said at a recent press conference as he wore a #SaveGCUMVB shirt.

For many, it signals a troubling trend that could extend to other universities amid looming changes in college athletics.

“We won’t know the true impact for years to come,” Troy Dueling, boys’ volleyball coach at Sandra Day O’Connor High School and former GCU men’s assistant coach said. “What that program was was a pillar and beacon for this community. There are other programs in Arizona, but none at that level.”

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, boys’ volleyball added more than 8,000 participants in 2024, making it the fastest-growing high school team sport by percentage in the country. With GCU’s decision, Arizona is now left without a single NCAA Division I men’s volleyball program.

The fallout has already affected recruits. Four incoming athletes discovered the news via a GCU post on social media, losing their opportunity to compete at the Division I level in-state.

“It wasn’t super far along, but they told me I was the best fit,” said Jack Slight, a junior setter at Sandra Day O’Connor High School. Slight, whose older brother Nick was an All-American at GCU, hoped to follow in his footsteps. “Would I have played for them if they offered? I would’ve. Now that’s off the table.”

“Jack is a special kid and talent,” Dueling added. “Watching him play beyond high school would’ve been something special.”

Without a head coach for the 2024 season, GCU assistant coaches co-led the program. One of them, Bryan Dell’Amico, was recently named the 2025 AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year — and is now unemployed, but was heartbroken about all his players. Specifically, the seven freshmen on the roster and the four incoming recruits.

“Eleven kids just had the next four years of their life changed,” Dell’Amico said. “Beyond that, you have everyone else on the team who still had eligibility left.”

According to GCU’s 2024 Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act report, the men’s volleyball program cost just under $750,000 annually to operate — the sixth lowest among GCU’s 20 sports. Despite the low cost, it had the second-highest average home attendance, averaging over 1,100 fans per match — nearly 600 more than the women’s basketball team, which ranked third in attendance.

“We could debate whether it should’ve been men’s volleyball that got cut,” Dell’Amico said. “But GCU made a business decision. They’re reallocating their resources.”

That decision has raised alarms beyond Arizona, with growing fears that other smaller or non-revenue-generating sports could meet similar fates.

“This isn’t just a GCU-specific issue,” Dell’Amico added. “The House v. NCAA settlement is putting a cap on roster sizes and shifting the power to administrators. They’ll decide how many scholarships and how much revenue share goes to each sport.”

GCU declined to offer further comment on the matter. Meanwhile, advocates for men’s volleyball are exploring the possibility of a new program at Arizona State University.

According to sources, donors have approached and had conversations with ASU leadership. However, ASU tells 12 News it’s very unlikely to add a new men’s program due to Title IX constraints and is “focusing on resourcing their 26 programs.”

Still, local athletes are hopeful.

“I hope another program in the state will step up,” Slight said. “And I hope that school is ASU.”

“I do hope there is hopefully another university that’s seeing this community rally and maybe they want to take an opportunity to give this community a new team and a new home,” Dueling added. “It would be great if a school down in Tempe would like to do that.”

Arizona has a history of producing elite volleyball talent. Just this past week, Sandra Day O’Connor alum Zach Rama competed in the NCAA Division I national championship with UCLA. Two former GCU players — both Arizona natives — were recently invited to try out for U.S. national teams for their age groups.

For many in the state, the loss of GCU men’s volleyball is more than a budget decision — it’s a cultural setback for a sport on the rise.

>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.



Link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

BYU, Notre Dame agree to football series in 2026 and 2027 – BYU Athletics – Official Athletics Website

Published

on


PROVO, Utah — BYU and Notre Dame today announced the two universities have agreed to a home-and-home football series that will bring the Fighting Irish to Provo in 2026 and take the Cougars to South Bend in 2027.

“We are excited to announce this home-and-home series between BYU and Notre Dame for the 2026 and 2027 seasons,” said BYU Director of Athletics Brian Santiago. “We have tremendous respect for Notre Dame, and appreciate Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua, who has been great to work with in arranging this series. These will be competitive football games, and will highlight Kalani Sitake and Marcus Freeman, two of the best leaders and coaches in college football. As private, faith-based institutions, BYU and Notre Dame share many common values, and this series provides an exceptional opportunity to showcase two world-class universities. It’s a matchup that will resonate strongly with Cougar fans and college football fans everywhere.”

Notre Dame will be making its third appearance in Provo next season when it faces BYU in LaVell Edwards Stadium for the first time since 2004. When BYU travels to face the Irish in 2027, it will mark the first meeting in South Bend since 2013 and the seventh matchup overall in Notre Dame Stadium dating back to the start of the series in 1992.

Notre Dame owns a 7-2 advantage in the previous nine games played after winning the last outing in the series in 2022 by a 28-20 tally at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. That game, played on Oct. 8, 2022, was part of the Notre Dame Shamrock Series neutral site home games. BYU’s two victories came by a 21-14 tally in South Bend in 1994 during BYU head coach Kalani Sitake’s freshman season and later in the last contest in Provo when the Cougars earned a 20-17 win to open the 2004 season.

BYU owns a 1-1 record against the Irish in LaVell Edwards Stadium, while Notre Dame boasts a 5-1 record against the Cougars in South Bend and a 1-0 mark in their neutral site Shamrock Series. The last time the two schools met in South Bend was a frigid, snow-flurry of a game in 2013 that the Fighting Irish won 23-13. BYU ran for 247 yards behind quarterback Taysom Hill in a one-score game heading into the fourth quarter but came up short in the end.

With the addition of the Notre Dame series, BYU has now finalized its scheduled opponents for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

BYU will play seven home games next season, hosting Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Cincinnati and Iowa State in Big 12 play along with nonconference matchups with Notre Dame and Utah Tech. The Cougars will travel to face Colorado State in nonconference and Kansas, TCU, UCF and Utah on their Big 12 slate.

In 2027, BYU hosts Big 12 games against Colorado, Kansas, Texas Tech and Utah along with Oregon State and Weber State in the nonconference, while traveling in league to Arizona State, Houston, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and West Virginia as well as to South Bend to meet Notre Dame.  

Game dates and times and television plans for all 2026 and 2027 games will be announced at a later date.  



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Wildcats of the Week: December 15-21

Published

on


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. –  Tyler Butler of B-CU Women’s Basketball and Jakobi Heady of B-CU Men’s Basketball have been named Wildcats of the Week for the week of December 15-21, 2025.

Tyler Butler was excellent for the Wildcats at the Stetson Hatter Invitational in DeLand. In two games against Stonehill and William & Mary, she totaled 23 points on an efficient 9-14 shooting with 18 rebounds, five blocks, and two steals.

Jakobi Heady starred in a road contest at the A10’s Saint Louis. He led all scorers with 23 on 8-14 showing with six rebounds, an assist, and three steals.

Each week, The Bethune-Cookman Office of Athletic Communications recognizes one male and one female student-athlete through the Wildcats of the Week award.

This award recognizes student-athletes who have excelled in competition, in the classroom, and in the community over the past week, exemplifying the Championship Culture of Wildcat Athletics. 

2025-26 Wildcats of the Week

December 15-21

W: Tyler Butler, Women’s Basketball

M: Jakobi Heady, Men’s Basketball

December 8-14

W: N/A (No Women’s Competition This Week

M: Jakobi Heady, Men’s Basketball

December 1-7

W: Daimoni Dorsey, Women’s Basketball

M: Sha’Nard Walker, Track & Field

November 24-30

W: Chanelle McDonald, Women’s Basketball

M: Jakobi Heady, Men’s Basketball

November 17-23

W: Jordan Brooks, Women’s Basketball

M: Timmy McClain, Football

November 10-16

W: Shayla Henry, Volleyball

M: Javon Ross, Football

November 3-9

W: Madison Molock, Tennis

M: Arterio Morris, Men’s Basketball

October 27-November 2

W: Amya Jennings, Volleyball

M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country

October 20-26

W: Sthefany Carvalho, Volleyball

M: Jaylen Lewis, Football

October 13-19

W: Melissa Gonzalez, Volleyball

M: N/A (No Men’s Competition this Week)

October 6-12

W: Valencia Butler, Cross Country

M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country

September 29-October 5

W: Amya Jennings, Volleyball

M: Ali Scott Jr., Football

September 22-28

W: Sierra Herndon, Volleyball

M: Javon Ross, Football

September 15-21

W: Zahara El-Zein

M: Maleek Huggins, Football

September 8-14

W: Nola Hemphill, Volleyball

M: Cam’Ron Ransom, Football

September 1-7

W: Reese Wilson, Women’s Golf

M: Stephen Sparrow Jr., Football

August 25 – 31

W: Kaleigh Williams, Volleyball

M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country

For all the latest Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Facebook (Bethune-Cookman Athletics), X (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUAthletics.com
 



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Four repeat honorees highlight 2025 #SummitVB Academic All-League Team

Published

on


SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Four repeat honorees highlighted the 2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team released by league officials Monday. There was a total of seven student-athletes named to the team that was voted on by the membership’s faculty athletic representatives and sports information directors.
 
South Dakota State’s Joslyn Richardson, a two-time Summit League Scholar of the Championship presented by JLG Architects, collected the second all-academic honor of her career. 

South Dakota’s Avery Van Hook also earned her second honor and was joined by teammates and first-time honorees Kamryn Farris and Amanda Loschen.

 

First team All-Summit Leaguer Kali Jurgensmeier of Omaha added a second all-academic award to her list of honors this season. 

 

North Dakota’s Lauren Perugini rounded out the quartet of repeat honorees while North Dakota State’s Ally Barth earned her first honor for the Bison.

 

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team’s competitions.

 

Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league’s ten institutions and voting is conducted by both the SIDs and facility athletic representatives (FARs). The team is made up of the seven student-athletes receiving the most votes with all ties standing.

 

2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team











 Name  School  Yr.  Pos.  GPA  Major
 Ally Barth  NDSU  Sr.  MB  3.94 Management Communication
 Kamryn Farris  South Dakota  Sr.  DS  3.75 Business
 Avery Van Hook**  South Dakota  Jr.  S  3.87 Kinesiology & Sport Management
 Kali Jurgensmeier**  Omaha  Sr.  OH  3.82 Biology
 Amanda Loschen  South Dakota   Jr.  MB  3.86 Medical Biology
 Lauren Perugini**  North Dakota  Jr.  OH  4.00 Dietetics
 Joslyn Richardson**  SDSU  Jr.  DS  4.00 Construction Management

 *Career Academic All-League honors
 
#SummitVB
 





Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Wisconsin volleyball starter Una Vajagic enters transfer portal

Published

on


Dec. 22, 2025, 3:11 p.m. CT



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

SLU Names Angie Simpson Head Beach Volleyball Coach

Published

on


HAMMOND, La. – Former All-American Angie Simpson has been named the new head volleyball coach at Southeastern Louisiana University, SLU Director of Athletics Jay Artigues announced Monday.
 
Simpson’s hire is pending approval from the University of Louisiana System’s Board of Supervisors.
 
“I’m extremely excited to be able to bring in a coach of Angie’s caliber,” Artigues commented. “She is well-renowned in the beach volleyball community and is a huge addition to our department. Angie is the type of coach that will make our program a consistent contender. We are very fortunate to have her in Hammond and I’m excited about the future of our beach volleyball program.”
 
Simpson is excited to be taking over a young Southeastern program that was established in 2020.
 
“Southeastern already has the infrastructure in place and the support from the administration to evolve into a nationally recognized program,” Simpson commented. “I’m eager to hit the ground running, because with the facilities, community culture and institutional support already in place, the expectation is to win the conference and earn an NCAA (Championships) bid.”
 
Simpson grew up in Muncie, Ind., where she helped Muncie Burris to three state championships during her prep career. The Owls were the No. 1 ranked team in the USA Today national high school ranks in three of Simpson’s four seasons and finished 162-1 during her time at MBHS.
 
Simpson played outside hitter on the indoor volleyball team at Penn State, where she was named an All-American as a senior and was a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection. During her collegiate career with the Nittany Lions, Penn State made two Final Four appearances and won a pair of conference championships.
 
Simpson’s collegiate career was prior to the NCAA’s sponsorship of beach volleyball, but Simpson spent several years on the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Tour. One of Simpson’s most frequent partners was Jennifer Kessy, who earned a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
 
“When I met with the team it felt so comfortable, because I’ve been in their shoes before,” Simpson said. “Our administration is dedicating a full-time coach to our beach volleyball program and we’re going to be in it together. I feel with my playing experience I have a unique knowledge base to share and pass forward with this generation of players and I’m completely committed to the process.”
 
Following her beach volleyball career, Simpson spent two decades working in the Biotech and health care leadership field in California. She kept involved in the volleyball community, serving as a broadcaster for Fox Sports Net, ESPN and other outlets.

Head Beach Volleyball Coach Angie Simpson as a Televison Broadcaster

 

As her son, Colby, a tight end signed to play football next fall at Tulane, reached high school, many of his friends requested Simpson come lend her vast knowledge to the Oaks Christian High School beach volleyball team. In her first season, OCHS won the CIF D2 championship and Simpson also led the program to back-to-back Marmonte League titles.

Oaks Christian High School CIF Champions under head coach Angie Simpson

 

“With my son finishing up high school and set to head off to college, I thought this was a perfect time to return to my passion of coaching volleyball,” Simpson said. “Once I started with Oaks Christian and we won that CIF D2 championship, I just thought ‘I’m back’.

 

“I feel really confident that I know how to win,” Simpson continued. “I’ve been winning on and off the court and throughout my professional career. I’m going to pass that knowledge on to this team.”

 

The Southeastern beach volleyball team will open the 2026 season in February.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

For more information on Southeastern Athletics, follow @LionUpAthletics on X and Instagram or like /LionUpAthletics on Facebook.

 

CLEAR BAG POLICY

Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.

 



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Assistant Director of Athletic Communications in York, PA for York College of Pennsylvania

Published

on


Established in 1787, York College of Pennsylvania is a private, four-year college located in the city of York, a hub of arts and industry between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Housed on 190 picturesque acres, the college is known for its focus on experiential learning and community engagement, serving over 4,000 undergraduate and 300+ graduate students in more than 70 baccalaureate majors, along with 20+ graduate and professional programs. Deeply rooted in the liberal arts and recognized for excellence in its professional nursing, business, engineering, and education programs, York is ranked among the nation’s top 50 Best Value Schools by U.S. News. The College’s robust recreation and athletics program is among the best in the region, and is home to 23 NCAA III Division sports teams and 30+ intramural sports. A Princeton Review Best Northeastern College, York prides itself on its experienced, engaged faculty; its high-impact and student-centric philosophy; and its long-standing commitment to affordability and accessibility.

York College is committed to building a diverse college community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply.



Link

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending