The BIC is the official AVCA newsletter for men and boys volleyball. If there is a specific topic or news you would like shared in a future issue, please contact Brad Wilson at bradley.wilson@avca.org.
Jessup University to Add Men’s DII Volleyball Team
With the move to NCAA Division II now a few months away, Jessup University continues its growth with the announcement of Men’s Volleyball, the university’s 17th varsity program. Jessup University plans to compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), along with some of the top programs in the NCAA. Jessup University will be transitioning to NCAA Division II from NAIA with the start of the 2024-25 academic year.
First Point Volleyball Foundation Collegiate Challenge This Weekend
It will be a big weekend in Austin, as six of the nation’s top teams head to Texas capital for the First Point Collegiate Challenge on Friday and Saturday. The event includes No.1 UCLA, No.4 Ohio State, No.7 Penn State, No.8 Stanford, No.13 USC, and No.14 Ball State.
Former Penn State Men’s Volleyball Coach Tom Tait Passes Away
Tait was often referred to as the “Father of Penn State Volleyball” as the first head coach of both programs, starting the women’s program in 1976 and leading the men’s program’s transition to varsity status in 1977.
In 12 seasons as head coach of the men’s volleyball team in Happy Valley, Tait led the Nittany Lions to eight conference titles and six appearances in the NCAA Final Four, including a trip to the National Championship match in 1984. He was named the Eastern Collegiate Coach of the Year five times and was selected as the Volleyball Monthly National Coach of the Year in 1986. Tait coached 20 All-Americans during his tenure while posting an impressive record of 336-97. He set a standard of consistency as one of just three head coaches in the 48-year history as a varsity program.
Master Coaches Interview Wade Garard and John Speraw of First Point Volleyball Foundation
Wade Gerard and John Speraw joined the latest episode of the Master Coaches show to discuss First Point Volleyball Foundation, an organization helping to create more opportunities for young men to grow and develop through volleyball.
River States Conference (NAIA) to Sponsor Men’s Volleyball
The River States Conference will add its 18th championship sport next season with the inclusion of Men’s Volleyball. Participating will be five current members of the RSC with Brescia University, Midway University, Oakland City University, Saint Mary of the Woods College and University of Rio Grande. They will be joined in the affiliated grouping by Mid‐South Conference members Campbellsville University (KY), Cumberland University (TN) and Georgetown College (KY). Several other members of the River States Conference are currently going through their internal process to evaluate the potential addition of the sport.
If one is ever to wonder how and why Cody Caldwell makes many of the decisions he does, the answer can often be derived from a simple matrix: When given two options, which is the most likely to lead to a good bit of fun?
It’s easy to wonder, when watching Caldwell, a 6-foot-6, 30-year-old who has won AVP Tour Series events as both a defender (in Atlantic City with David Lee) and a blocker (Waupaca and Laguna Beach with Seain Cook), why he is playing for relative pennies on the beach when his skillset could command respectable contracts indoors. Caldwell acknowledges such a question is a fair one, just as quickly as he acknowledges the answer is a simple one: Where’s the fun?
To join the Men’s Collegiate Beach Volleyball Alliance an active member coach of the AVCA must complete the registration information. The nominating coach serves as the official representative for all men’s collegiate beach activities at the college.
If you are interested in starting men’s collegiate beach volleyball at your college and need support please email Becca Just. We are happy to help!
Boys Volleyball News
USAV to Host NTDP Experience in Dallas
USA Volleyball will host a National Team Development Program (NTDP) Experience one day prior to the start of the 2024 Boys Junior National Championship (BJNC) on June 26-29 in Dallas.
The Experience will take place June 25 (check-in day for BJNCs) at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.
The NTDP Experience is a one-day development opportunity for invited athletes that showcases the training methods used by U.S. national teams and at NTDP Training Series events. Athletes will be nominated by club directors participating at BJNCs and USA Volleyball regions.
Eligible nominees must be 30 years old or younger as of December 31, 2023 [born 1993 or later], active AVCA members, and currently coaching volleyball in the selected category. Nominations close March 1, 2024. Questions? Contact alice.rogers@avca.org.
Jeff Nygaard and Reid Priddy Entering USAV Hall of Fame
USA Volleyball is set to celebrate some of the sport’s greatest athletes, coaches, officials and leaders at its 2024 Hall of Fame annual banquet and ceremony on May 22 at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus, Ohio.
Four indoor volleyball greats will receive the All-Time Great Player Award at the ceremony: Robyn Ah Mow, Heather Bown, Jeff Nygaard and Reid Priddy.
Jeff Nygaard played middle blocker with the U.S. Men’s Indoor Team from 1993-2000. He competed with the team at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games and helped it win the bronze medal at the 1994 World Championship. When his indoor career was over, Nygaard competed in beach volleyball and made it to the 2004 Olympic Games on the sand.
Reid Priddy is a four-time Olympic outside hitter (2004, ’08, ’12, ’16) who won the gold medal in 2008 and bronze in 2016. He was an Olympic alternate in 2000 shortly after he graduated from Loyola Marymount. He helped the U.S. Men win the gold medal at the 2008 World League, silver in 2012 and bronze in 2007. Priddy was named the U.S. Men’s Player of the Year in 2012.
