Ball State considers dropping volleyball

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

A year after reaching the NCAA final four, Ball State has recommended dropping its men's volleyball program for the coming academic year.

Such a move, according to Hawai'i coach Mike Wilton, would further jeopardize the unstable future of NCAA men's volleyball.

"It's not good for our sport," Wilton said. "It's crummy."

Three years ago, San Diego State and Loyola Marymount — citing budget concerns and the quest for gender equity — dropped their men's volleyball programs. That reduced the number of NCAA Division I-II men's volleyball teams to 41.

Last month, Concordia, which competes in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association, announced it would not field a team in 2004.

But losing Ball State (of Indiana), which has qualified for the NCAA final four 15 times in 39 years, would be a blow to a region in which volleyball has experienced increased popularity in the men's game. Last month, Lewis, of Illinois, became the first Midwest team to win an NCAA men's volleyball title. In recent years, boys' volleyball has flourished at the club and high school level in Midwest cities.

But a 12-member committee has recommended that Ball State drop six sports, including four men's programs. The cuts would save $1.2 million annually, the committee announced.

"I don't think it's good any time somebody drops a sport," Wilton said. "This affects us in two ways. First, (Ball State was) going to play us next year. Second, that's a good program. Ball State is good for our sport."

It does not appear NCAA men's volleyball will be able to replenish its membership significantly. Only Cal Baptist, which competes in the NAIA, plans to join the NCAA in the next few years.

UH, which has led the NCAA in attendance for nine consecutive years, and BYU are the only profitable men's volleyball programs in the country.