Long Beach State Sports : Re: Why Men's Volleyball Is Our ONLY sport Doing VERY well

MVB, Beach VB, Golf and then Tennis, with all freshmen, at #53 in a sport with over 300 teams. Believe they have two wins over teams ranked in front of them.

I'm told coach even has to fundraise to fill 25% of the allowed positions.

MVB has great coach and top 4 budget amongst the 28 schools playing; half of which are D2 playing up to in order to save the sport so competition to recruit is very small. Realistically 8 programs really funding teams.

MWP is the other with only 30 teams.

Your real question is why are the BIG PUSH sports almost all struggling?

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I believe there are 26 Men's D1 volleyball teams in the country. I enjoy seeing them play and dominate.

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It is a niche sport, one where we can excel. Most high school athletes were not receiving a lot of scholarship to begin with, as it wasn't a head count sport, and it hasn't garnered the NIL money other sports have (such as men's golf that has country club money being thrown around).

With new scholarship limits, it's the same challenge as every school. Those that can fund it fully will be able to compete. Those who cannot, will struggle to keep athletes.

The run we are on right now is great. I hope we can sustain the success.

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Men's volleyball remains the ONLY sport doing really well on a national level. Sure, our Beach Volleyball, Golf programs and Water Polo programs do well but they require very little money to exist on a high level. The days of us being very good in Basketball or Baseball are probably over. It takes money to have good basketball programs and to a degree a good baseball program. In Men's volleyball we currently have the best coach in the country who recruits foreign players better than anyone. (Also recruits great U.S. talent) We also have the probable best facility for men's volleyball in the USA. (Even if it has leaks) Also, we are probably now in the best conference for men's volleyball. If coach Knipe stays (I see almost no reason for him leaving) we will be at the top of the college volleyball world!