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UofU dropping beach volleyball and cites its change in conferences as a factor

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The University of Utah has decided to drop beach volleyball as a varsity sport after eight years in part because of conference realignment. Utah introduced beach volleyball — an Olympic sport since 1996 — in 2017, when the Utes competed in the Pac-12 Conference. The Pac-12 had nine beach volleyball […]

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The University of Utah has decided to drop beach volleyball as a varsity sport after eight years in part because of conference realignment.

Utah introduced beach volleyball — an Olympic sport since 1996 — in 2017, when the Utes competed in the Pac-12 Conference. The Pac-12 had nine beach volleyball programs at the time but most of those schools have since left for the Big Ten, ACC and Big 12.

Utah is now in the Big 12, which has just three other beach volleyball programs and no automatic qualifying spot for the NCAA Tournament for its league champion.

“This was an extremely difficult decision,” athletics director Mark Harlan said this week. “We looked at the landscape of intercollegiate beach volleyball and the future opportunities of our student-athletes.”

Calling beach volleyball’s growth at the college level “stunted,” Harlan noted that just 12 power conference schools sponsor such teams “with little evidence of the sport expanding at this time.”

Harlan said the Utah athletic department would “work closely with each of our impacted student-athletes to provide them with all of the support they need” and honor the scholarships of those who decide to complete their education at Utah.

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“Should a current or incoming student-athlete elect to pursue their sport at another school, Utah will do all that it can to facilitate the process,” Harlan said, adding that scholarship funds which had been dedicated to the beach volleyball program will be redirected to our other women’s sports.

Utah will now sponsor 19 intercollegiate sport programs in the coming academic year.

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports



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South Carolina track and field lands transfer portal commitment from fastest sprinter in D-II history

South Carolina track and field is gearing up for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon next week. However, head coach Tim Hall has been busy recruiting, too. This week, the Gamecocks picked up a big-time transfer portal commitment from former Lenoir-Rhyne sprinter Alexis Brown. She chose USC over Oregon, LSU, Southern Cal, Auburn, and […]

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South Carolina track and field is gearing up for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon next week. However, head coach Tim Hall has been busy recruiting, too. This week, the Gamecocks picked up a big-time transfer portal commitment from former Lenoir-Rhyne sprinter Alexis Brown. She chose USC over Oregon, LSU, Southern Cal, Auburn, and Coastal Carolina. With three years of collegiate track under belt, she will have one year of eligibility remaining, pending the NCAA’s future handling of former Division-II athletes.

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A Georgia native from South Cobb High School, Brown was a record-breaking runner at Lenoir-Rhyne. In fact, she is the fastest female sprinter in the history of Division-II outdoor track and field. This spring, she won individual national championships in the 100-meter (with a time of 10.93s) and the 200-meter (with a time of 22.35s), winning both events by over a second. She also brought home an individual national title in the 2024 outdoor 4×100, outdoor 100-meter, and the 2024 indoor 60-meter. Brown owns the ten fastest Division-II 100-meter times ever and three of the fastest five 200-meter times. Her resume is littered with other individual accolades, too.

She will join a South Carolina track team that has two elite female sprinters in All-American sophomores Jameesia Ford and Cynteria James. Brown has logged 100-meter times even faster than both Ford and James. Her 200-meter times compare similarly to the Gamecock speedsters, as well. Because of the addition of Brown, South Carolina will boast one of the top sprinter groups in the SEC (and the country) next season. She will fill the gap left by graduating senior (and fellow All-American) Jayla Jamison.



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Assistant Coach – Volleyball in Waltham, MA for Brandeis University

Details Posted: 04-Jun-25 Location: Waltham, Massachusetts Type: Full-time Categories: Coaching Coaching – Volleyball Sector: Collegiate Sports Required Education: 4 Year Degree Internal Number: R0011845 Brandeis University is delighted to announce a career opportunity as the Assistant Coach of Volleyball in the Athletics Department. At Brandeis, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package which includes […]

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June 5, 2025

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Details

Posted: 04-Jun-25

Location: Waltham, Massachusetts

Type: Full-time

Categories:

Coaching

Coaching – Volleyball

Sector:

Collegiate Sports

Required Education:

4 Year Degree

Internal Number: R0011845

Brandeis University is delighted to announce a career opportunity as the Assistant Coach of Volleyball in the Athletics Department. At Brandeis, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package which includes medical, dental and life insurances. If you are looking to advance your career through educational opportunities, Brandeis offers tuition assistance for employees, dependents and spouses. Our 403b retirement savings plan includes a generous match.


The Assistant Coach of Volleyball will assist the head coach in running a successful volleyball program which competes as a NCAA Division III program and as a member of the University Athletic Association (UAA). This includes practice and competition coaching, recruiting student-athletes at a national level, design and implementation of competitive strategies and advising and mentoring our student-athletes. The assistant must understand and promote the mission, goals, values and educational ideals of Brandeis University, as well as the mission of the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation.


Key Responsibilities:


Assists with the student-athlete recruitment effort for the volleyball program. This includes traveling to high school and club contests, evaluating prospective student-athletes, submitting materials from prospective student-athletes to the Office of Admissions for early credential reviews, assisting with on-campus visits by prospects and managing the team’s social media accounts. Assists with recruiting a diverse incoming class of volleyball student athletes that contribute to the continuing success of the team and to the University community at large.


Assists with scouting of opponents and prepares scouting reports used to prepare student- athletes for competition. Responsible for film breakdown and implementing game plan strategies.


Assists with the planning of all in-season practice sessions and developing an off-season training schedule and program. Assists with all game coaching at home and on the road. Assist the head coach with managing all administrative details associated with the program including travel arrangements, apparel/equipment purchases, and athletic training services.


Teach Mind and Body modules within the University’s degree-required program or complete similar department service (i.e. student-athlete leadership development, strength and conditioning programming, game management, etc.)


Other duties as assigned.


Education & Work Experience:


B.A./B.S. required. M.A./M.S. preferred. 1-3 years of collegiate coaching experience required.


Additional Information:


Previous coaching experience preferred. Valid driver’s license required. Must be qualified to be insured by the university. Requires ability to drive 12-passenger vans. CPR/AED certification required. Operates in gymnasium, on courts, in pool and may operate outside in varied weather given training needs. General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, movement and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds in coaching and training situations. Frequent travel and early morning/evening/weekend work is required.

Education & Work Experience:

Additional Information:

  • Previous coaching experience preferred.

  • Valid driver’s license required. Must be qualified to be insured by the university.

  • Requires ability to drive 12-passenger vans. 

  • CPR/AED certification required.  

  • Operates in gymnasium, on courts, in pool and may operate outside in varied weather given training needs.

  • General open office and campus environment.

  • Position involves sitting, movement and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds in coaching and training situations.

  • Frequent travel and early morning/evening/weekend work is required.

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About Brandeis University

Brandeis University is a great employer for all the same reasons it is an outstanding university. Its commitment to inclusion, dedication to lifelong learning and commitment to excellence are just a few of the reasons our workplace culture shines bright.

We take pride not only in maintaining this culture, but expanding it — by recruiting and retaining outstanding employees who share our values and enrich Brandeis University overall.


Connections working at Brandeis University



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Taft track and field finish in the top 10 | Sports

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Country AfghanistanAlbania, People’s Socialist […]

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Bulldog track and field heading to NCAA championships

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State track and field team is preparing for a trip to the NCAA outdoor national championships next week in Eugene, Ore., after qualifying through a regional meet in Jacksonville, Fla., last weekend.  The first to book their ticket to Eugene was freshman Marie Rougetet, an international athlete from France, who also […]

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June 5, 2025

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STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State track and field team is preparing for a trip to the NCAA outdoor national championships next week in Eugene, Ore., after qualifying through a regional meet in Jacksonville, Fla., last weekend. 

The first to book their ticket to Eugene was freshman Marie Rougetet, an international athlete from France, who also became the first Bulldog to compete in the hammer event. It was her first event at any NCAA meet, and she recorded a throw of 65.23 meters in the second round of the competition to secure a place at the national championships, finishing seventh overall in Jacksonville. 

The following day, Sam Navarro and Abdullahi Hassan both competed in the 800-meter event. Navarro beat his previous best by a full second, finishing fourth with a time of 1:46.47. 

Hassan recorded a 1:45.64 time in the same event, finishing second in his section to earn an automatic qualifying spot, joining his teammate Navarro in the national championships next week. 

On the men’s side, Peyton Bair also earned an automatic qualifying spot with his 8,111-point performance in the decathlon. He’ll return to the national competition after finishing as the runner-up at the 2024 NCAA decathlon championships. 

Bair is already a national champion this year after winning the heptathlon at the NCAA indoor championships in March. 

Tuomas Narhi and Remi Rougetet will round out the men’s squad of five athletes heading to Eugene next week. 

The women’s track and field team completed its qualification process on Saturday, with runners Nelly Jemeli and Jessicka Woods both earning spots in the NCAA championships. 

Jemeli recorded a time of 9:59.39 to finish fifth in her section in the 3000-meter event, improving her personal best by seven seconds to book her ticket to the finals. 

Woods competed in both the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdle quarterfinals and matched her personal best time in the 400 to secure a spot in the championships. This is her second trip to the finals after qualifying in the 100 event last year. 

The NCAA outdoor championships begin on Wednesday, June 11 in Eugene.

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Hall Of Fame Spotlight – Kelsie Wills, Volleyball

By: Nick Kapatos Story Links 2025 Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame Brochure Purchase Tickets/Sponsorships Leading up to the 2025 Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame and Golf Outing on Monday, June 9, GoHofstra.com will feature one of the six individuals […]

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By: Nick Kapatos

Leading up to the 2025 Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame and Golf Outing on Monday, June 9, GoHofstra.com will feature one of the six individuals being inducted in the Class of 2025. Today, former Hofstra volleyball student-athlete Kelsie Wills is featured.

The Class of 2025 includes: Kimberly Hillier (women’s lacrosse), Robert McKeon (extraordinary service to Hofstra athletics), Mike Miller (baseball), Michael Todd (men’s soccer), Kelsie Wills (volleyball), and Colonel E. David Woycik, Jr. (extraordinary service to Hofstra athletics).

The Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame and Golf Outing will take place at The Seawane Club in Hewlett Harbor, New York. You can contact the Athletic Development Office at (516) 463-4919 or prideclub@hofstra.edu for more information. 

A volleyball student-athlete from 2011 to 2014, Kelsie Wills is one of two All-Americans in program history. She was named an AVCA All-American to cap off a tremendous senior season that also saw her claim CAA Player of the Year honors after leading the conference and ranking 25th in the nation with 506 kills. Wills helped Hofstra to a CAA championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance for the second time in her storied career that season, matching the Pride’s 2012 accomplishments. A three-time All-CAA First Team honoree and CAA All-Rookie selection in 2011, Wills ranks first all-time at Hofstra and third all-time in CAA history in kills with 1,942. She is the only player in program history to record three 500-kill seasons and also stands 14th all-time at Hofstra in digs with 1,226. Wills was the 2012 CAA Volleyball Championship Most Outstanding Player and was a member of the All-CAA Championship Team in 2014.

Following graduation, Wills played professionally in Paris. She also represented her native New Zealand in beach volleyball, with partner Shaunna Polley, at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. They were the nation’s first women’s beach volleyball team to compete at the Games. The pair also won a bronze medal at the Ulsan Open in South Korea on the 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour. Wills left volleyball to play rugby in 2019 and has represented New Zealand in international competition and played professionally for the Chiefs Manawa squad.

 

Gallery: (5-30-2025) Kelsie Wills-Hall of Fame Spotlight

 



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SBJ Unpacks

The landscape of women’s sports is up for grabs, and organizations have an unprecedented opportunity to take market share by putting their data to work. Women’s sports have exploded in popularity, transforming the landscape of athletics and presenting new opportunities for brands to engage with fan bases. Over the last three years, revenue generated by […]

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SBJ Unpacks

The landscape of women’s sports is up for grabs, and organizations have an unprecedented opportunity to take market share by putting their data to work.

Women’s sports have exploded in popularity, transforming the landscape of athletics and presenting new opportunities for brands to engage with fan bases. Over the last three years, revenue generated by women’s elite sports globally has grown by more than 300% and is poised to continue an upward trajectory in 2025 and beyond. Attendance reached all-time highs at NCAA women’s volleyball and Final Four matchups. Broadcast deals for the National Women’s Soccer League broke records. The number of sponsorships in women’s professional sports increased by 22% in 2024, showing investors are looking more closely than ever at opportunities in this market.

How can women’s sports leaders meet this moment and prepare for a wave of growth to come?

Solid data foundations are often key to successful organizations. In a digital world, marketability comes from being able to understand fan behavior, preferences and engagement levels, and translate that data to sponsors and investors. However, many struggle with this because of how quickly the importance of data has grown and the lack of internal business investment in this area.

The good news is, there are wide-ranging opportunities for women’s sports. Below we dive into what could be holding back women’s sports from optimizing and leveraging their data, share examples of organizations that appear to be making progress, and explore steps leaders can consider to win more.

Invest in operations

Historically, sports leagues have typically focused on building up their roster of players and home venues to attract more fans and sponsors. Today, just having the best players on the best field may no longer be enough — it’s becoming increasingly important to invest in the right talent to run operations as well. Recruiting the right product manager can be just as important as drafting the right power forward.

Consider two properties that have both acquired new star players, leading to notable increases in average game attendance compared to years’ past. The presence of these players has attracted several mid-tier sponsorships, providing a financial boost for both operations. This combination of increased attendance and sponsorship revenue has made both confident they’ll consider this year a success.

As time goes by those sponsors are beginning to ask what kind of engagement their activations are getting across owned platforms. They want to make sure their content is aligned with the right audiences and understand ROI from their investment.

Property No. 1 spent time building up their internal and external product teams to conduct a deep assessment into their existing digital fan experience. They worked with engineers and data scientists to identify how their proprietary insights can be leveraged and analyzed to create value for sponsors, both existing and prospective. This forward-thinking team integrated first-, second- and third-party data to build full-picture insights on fan engagement, reach and campaign effectiveness. Sponsors were delighted by the insights because they proved the right audiences were seeing their messages and they unlocked retargeting opportunities. They grew their campaigns with property No. 1.

Property No. 2 didn’t think much about their product teams or the value of fan data, so when it came time to share insights with sponsors, they could only share basic data fields such as names and emails. Sponsors were not as impressed and wanted more specific audience intelligence — where did these fans live, what kind of income did they have and what other brands did they follow? Without those valuable data insights, and the ability to target customers or engage with fans deeply, they decided not to renew their campaigns with Property No. 2.

Exchanging value for data

Fan data is a new currency in sports, and leagues are adapting to that shift. For example, the WNBA, recognizing a growing fan base, developed a new app that prioritizes easy engagement for both avid and casual fans, while integrating key features such as schedules, game highlights and trends. Short-form content personalized for each fan, based on the team and players most important to them, was designed to help create deeper fan engagement and more monthly users.

By delivering a compelling, personalized digital experience for fans, organizations can be rewarded with more quality data from users.

This was evident at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, when the International Olympic Committee saw its fan engagement numbers balloon after investing in a fan data platform that supports segmentation and personalization capabilities. Strengthening one aspect of their digital operations contributed to a positive feedback loop: data in, personalized messages out. Fan engagement in, diversified marketing and commercial strategies out. At the Milan-Cortina Olympics, the IOC expects to be able to predict which content will resonate most with their fans to inform custom campaigns — ones that understand and celebrate their unique preferences. Applying technology to analyze fan data allows marketers to lean into the multidimensional nature of humans. It can open opportunities for engagement not only around team or athlete performance content, for example, but inspiration, community and entertainment content, too.

Personalization capabilities aren’t just a nice-to-have: Nearly 3 in 4 consumers are more likely to purchase from brands that deliver personalized experiences — and they spend 37% more with those brands. As such, investing in the operational data foundations that make personalization possible is a strategic business move.

Building on momentum

The organizations that can carve out this niche, strive to understand what fans care about most and serve up data as a competitive differentiator will not only rely on players and viewership numbers as their most valuable assets. They are positioning themselves to win more sponsorships and advertising dollars, which could lead to more diversified revenue streams that can secure their futures. And if they’re able to personalize experiences for fans within their own venue walls and owned platforms — they’re opening the door to possibly more engagement and loyalty for women’s sports.

Building an impactful data strategy starts with dedicated tech talent that can solidify foundations and pair multiparty insights. To meet this moment, leaders should conduct a review of their current data capabilities, look for gaps in operational talent, and seek the support of strategic advisers. Data is redefining competition — and at this stage in the game, organizations should be playing offense.

Michelle McGuire Christian is chief commercial officer at Deloitte’s ConvergeCONSUMER and Li-Shen Lee is a principal at Deloitte.

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