University of Utah Discontinues Beach Volleyball Program After Successful Run
Salt Lake City, UT — The University of Utah has announced the discontinuation of its beach volleyball program effective at the end of the academic year. Since its inception in 2017, the program has enjoyed notable success, culminating in its best season to date, finishing with a record of 21 wins and 14 losses. The decision comes as the university adapts to the current landscape of intercollegiate beach volleyball, which has shown limited growth potential.
Athletic Director Mark Harlan emphasized the difficulty of this decision, noting the lack of championship-level facilities and the stunted growth of the sport. With only 12 beach volleyball programs among Power Five institutions, he pointed to the realities of the sport’s limited expansion opportunities, especially after the university’s transition to the Big 12, where just four schools sponsor beach volleyball.
The decision was made public the same day Brenda Whicker, the Utes’ head coach for the past eight seasons, announced her retirement. Whicker, a Hall of Famer, expressed gratitude for her time at Utah and the growth she witnessed in the sport.
To support affected student-athletes, the university will honor their scholarships through their undergraduate studies, whether they choose to stay or transfer to other institutions to continue playing. Harlan reiterated the university’s commitment to aiding student-athletes during this transition, redirecting available funds to bolster other women’s sports programs.
As the Utes’ beach volleyball chapter closes, the university remains focused on nurturing talented athletes across its remaining 19 intercollegiate programs.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
