University of Utah Beach Volleyball Program Discontinued Amid Protests and Community Support
Salt Lake City, UT — The University of Utah Athletic Department announced on April 29 that it would discontinue its Beach Volleyball program at the academic year’s end. This decision came shortly after the team concluded a remarkable season, achieving a 21-14 record—one of the best in its history.
Athletics Director Mark Harlan cited a lack of competition within the Big 12 Conference and inadequate facilities for hosting championship events as primary reasons for the program’s termination. "This was an extremely difficult decision," Harlan stated, emphasizing that the decision followed extensive consultations. He noted, "There are only 12 beach volleyball programs among Power Conference institutions, and the sport’s growth is stunted."
In response to the decision, student-athletes Sonja Wessel and Maeve Griffin have initiated a petition on Change.org, which has garnered over 5,500 signatures. "Hearing this news out of the blue… was devastating," Wessel said, as she and Griffin aim to raise awareness about their cause. They express concern for the diminishing opportunities for women in sports, with Griffin stating, "For one of those opportunities to be eliminated is just devastating."
To support the cause, BeachBox Utah, an indoor sand volleyball facility set to open in June, has extended an offer to the University to provide facilities at no cost. Melissa Powell, a former player and founder, expressed her eagerness to help. "If this decision is financially motivated, I want to help," she asserted.
While community support continues to build, the athletic department has yet to respond definitively to the offer from BeachBox Utah. As discussions evolve, the future of Utah’s beach volleyball program hangs in the balance.
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