Apr 15, 2010 8:30:38 AM

The Division III Management Council during its April 12-13 meeting reviewed a survey promised after the 2010 Convention that indicated little interest in sand volleyball from the Division III membership.

Of the 314 institutions that responded (a 71 percent return rate), only about 13 percent said sand volleyball should be added to the list of emerging sports for women, and only about 7 percent of those said they would consider actually sponsoring the sport if it were to be added to the list.

In addition, about three-fourths of the respondents indicated student-athletes (current or potential) would not be interested in participating in sand volleyball if it were to be added as an emerging sport.

Those results are consistent with Division III's decision in 2007 not to endorse adding sand volleyball as an emerging sport. While Divisions I and II have done so, Division III was concerned about the likelihood that student-athletes who played indoor volleyball in the fall would also play the sand version in the spring and thus essentially extend the playing season for volleyball. Members also cited facility issues and concerns about what the sand players would wear as reasons for not advancing the sport.

The survey corroborated the facility concern, as only 14 percent said they currently have a facility on campus that could support sand volleyball. Additionally, only 9 percent said they had access to facilities near their campuses.

Budgets also are a concern, as only about 7 percent of respondents said their athletics budgets could support the sand game.

After reviewing the survey results, the Management Council agreed to maintain its position not to endorse sand volleyball as an emerging sport for Division III. The Council noted that interested member institutions could sponsor related legislation at a future Convention to add the sport to the list.

The survey also asked about other sports that might be added to the emerging-sports list. Almost 34 percent expressed interest in competitive cheer, while about 24 percent listed triathlon as worth exploring. Council members did not take a stance on either, noting that the Committee on Women's Athletics will review these and other potential emerging sports at its next meeting.