NJCAA and First Point Volleyball Foundation announce men's volleyball grant
Charlotte, NC - The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), in a joint effort with First Point Volleyball Foundation, has announced a $200,000 grant to support the growth of men's volleyball as an emerging sport within the association. The grant will be made available for NJCAA member colleges to apply as they prepare to field and sponsor men's volleyball programs.
"With the rise of men's volleyball participation around the country, the addition of this sport will provide opportunities for male student-athletes to compete in the sport at the two-year collegiate level," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO. "We are pleased to work alongside First Point Volleyball Foundation to offer these grants and make an immediate impact in the growth of this emerging sport."
First Point Volleyball Foundation will provide the $200,000 grant to the NJCAA Foundation for distribution to NJCAA member colleges that declare their intent to begin participating in the sport over the next two years. The NJCAA Foundation will award a total of 18 grants to member colleges to support the initiative towards men's volleyball becoming a full NJCAA championship sport.
"As one of First Point's 19 volunteer board members, I can say we are thrilled to partner with the NJCAA to expand men's volleyball to two-year colleges," said Mick Haley, an AVCA Hall of Famer who coached Kellogg Community College men's volleyball team before women's head coaching stints at the University of Texas, University of Southern California, and the US Olympic team in 2000 in Sydney. "In these COVID times, student-athletes are seeking affordable college options close to home; and men's volleyball will be part of the increased programming at two-year colleges."
First Point Volleyball Foundation is taking men's volleyball participation to unprecedented heights, creating opportunities for young men to develop as players and people by connecting donors to programs around the country. As men's volleyball grows exponentially, First Point continues to spread influence and has awarded $2.2 million in grants to grow volleyball.
"Special thanks goes to Mick [Haley] and First Point's Two-Year College Committee. We were impressed when Brian [Luckett] and Chris [Parker] came to our board meeting and shared their vision for NJCAA and providing more opportunities for two-year students to grow and develop through sport," said John Speraw, First Point's Co-Founder and volunteer Chairman, who also is head coach of the US Men's National Team and head coach of UCLA Men's Volleyball. "I want to express my appreciation to the donors who have made this grant possible and also to the NJCAA for being a dynamic partner in the planned expansion."
The NJCAA has formed the men's volleyball sport committee to finalize the sport's guidelines and competition structure, with the intent of starting competition in the spring of 2022. NJCAA members will be informed of grant recipients at the end of the application period. A national championship event and full sport status will be granted as the number of participating institutions increases.
About First Point Volleyball Foundation
Founded in 2016 by John Speraw, head coach of the USA Men's National Team and UCLA Men's Volleyball and Wade Garard, First Point Volleyball Foundation exists to provide opportunities for young people to mature and develop through volleyball. Specifically focused on growing boys' and men's volleyball in the United States, First Point Volleyball Foundation initiates and celebrates FIRST POINTS whether that is a first point of a new collegiate team, or a new high school team, or a first point of competitive volleyball for a 12-year-old. The Foundation has three strategic initiatives: (1) Growing collegiate opportunities; (2) Growing high school boys' opportunities; and (3) the Extending Reach Diversity Initiative – expanding volleyball opportunities to boys and men of color.
About NJCAA Foundation
The mission of the NJCAA Foundation is to enhance the NJCAA national organization, student-athletes, member colleges and local communities through financial support, scholarships, program initiatives and community service.
