University of Utah Discontinues Beach Volleyball as Varsity Sport
SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah has announced the discontinuation of its beach volleyball program following the 2022-2023 academic season, after nine seasons as a sanctioned sport. Initially introduced in 2017 as the university’s 20th varsity sport when Utah joined the Pac-12, beach volleyball thrived in a conference with a robust league. However, the recent transition to the Big 12 Conference has posed significant challenges for the program.
With only three other schools competing in beach volleyball within the Big 12, the university found limited potential for growth in the sport. Additionally, the shift has meant an end to automatic NCAA Tournament bids for conference champions, previously available under the Pac-12.
"This was an extremely difficult decision, and we did not arrive at this conclusion without a significant and appropriate amount of thought, consideration, and consultation," said Mark Harlan, Utah’s Athletic Director. The review revealed only 12 beach volleyball programs in power conferences, highlighting the stagnant growth of the sport.
Harlan emphasized concerns regarding inadequate facilities necessary to host championship-level events, stating, "We are not providing the world-class experience that we seek to provide to our student-athletes.” Despite the program’s termination, Utah has pledged to honor all scholarships for affected athletes as they pursue their undergraduate degrees.
While the decision is not directly linked to broader pressures within college athletics, recent moves by other institutions, such as Grand Canyon University cutting its men’s volleyball program, indicate a challenging environment for non-revenue sports. The future of beach volleyball at the collegiate level remains uncertain as schools reevaluate their commitments amid changing athletic landscapes.
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