The Division I Championships/Sports Management Cabinet on Tuesday supported the idea of renaming sand volleyball, which is on the NCAA Emerging Sports list, to “beach” volleyball.
The cabinet discussed the questions that have arisen about the differences between beach and sand volleyball, noting that the more traditional name is “beach.” The cabinet reviewed letters of support for the name change from the American Volleyball Coaches Association and USA Volleyball.
The cabinet noted that it should review this question at this time because Division I members are considering the establishment of an NCAA championship for the sport.
With that in mind, the cabinet supported the name change; however, because sand volleyball is now an emerging sport in Divisions I and II, the cabinet recommended that the Division II championships committee and Committee on Women’s Athletics also review the issue.
The sport’s sponsorship has reached 40 teams, which is the threshold an emerging sport must meet to apply for NCAA championship status.