The University of Utah athletics department released a statement on April 29 that the Beach Volleyball program would be discontinued following the close of the academic year. This came four days after the team had finished with one of their best seasons in program history, going 21-14.

Some of the reasons stated were the lack of competition for the Big 12 and not having the facilities to host championship-level events. The following statement was from Athletics Director Mark Harlan.

“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,” Harlan said. “We looked at the landscape of intercollegiate beach volleyball and the future opportunities of our student-athletes. Currently, there are only 12 beach volleyball programs among power conference institutions, with little evidence of the sport expanding at this time. With the sport’s growth stunted, and without the home facilities with amenities that allow us to host championship-level events, we are not providing the world-class experience that we seek to provide to our student-athletes.”

Student athletes petition

Two student athletes have been leading the charge to save the beach volleyball program. Sonja Wessel and Maeve Griffin have publicly criticized the athletics department for how they’ve been treated.

“There’s just been a dark cloud over all our heads. We came off of such an amazing season with such an amazing time together,” Wessel said. “Then hearing this news out of the blue with no heads up was just really devastating.”

The two have started a petition with change.org that has amassed over 5,500 signatures, but still, there are no plans in sight to reinstate the program anytime soon. The petition is all about raising awareness, says Wessel.

“The main goal for us starting this petition was just to get the word out there. When the news first broke, there was only one side of the story, and that side is our athletic director,” Wessel said. “We just wanted to let our fans, family and friends know what’s going on and just trying to allow people to speak their mind and raise awareness about what’s really going on.”

Despite the program being discontinued, the effect that beach volleyball has had on these student athletes has been life-changing, according to Griffin.

“The number of skills that I’ve learned just from the sport are incredible. Whether that’s learning to advocate for myself and my teammates, or learning how to be a better team player or to be more collaborative. This sport has taught each and every one of us so many skills and relationships that will take [us] into the rest of our lives,” Griffin said. “All of these teammates are some of my best friends. A lot of the girls on our team are going to be bridesmaids in each other’s weddings.”

This goes beyond beach volleyball and is more about protecting women’s sports, says Griffin.

“There’s already such a finite number of opportunities for young women to go play their sport at a high level, so for that to be taken away and for one of those opportunities to be eliminated is just devastating,” Griffin said.

Community outreach

In a bold move to preserve the University of Utah’s beach volleyball program, BeachBox Utah has extended a generous offer to the university. The state-of-the-art indoor sand volleyball facility, set to open in June in Pleasant Grove, is offering its resources to support the Utes’ beach volleyball team.

Melissa Powell, a former University of Utah beach volleyball player and founder of BeachBox Utah, expressed her commitment to the sport and its athletes.

“If this decision is financially motivated, I want to help,” Powell stated. “Our facility is world-class, and we’re ready to provide it to the team at no cost.”

Beach volleyball has had a large impact on Powell’s life, which left her with no choice but to do something to help the discontinued program.

“Beach volleyball has made me a better friend, a better person. It’s made me an entrepreneur, which I never thought I would be,“ Powell said. “It gave me a passion for helping youth, helping adults, helping anyone find a purpose, so I’m really grateful for beach volleyball.”

The beach volleyball community has responded in a very positive way. Powell says there has even been a text group created from the mothers of Utah players hoping for updates.

“I’ve received so many messages, from the recruits from the U, their moms all made a text group and they message me and they want updates, and they just, they’re so grateful that I’m fighting for their girls. And it’s been very, very positive.” Powell said.

Administrative response

Unfortunately, there’s been no indication from the athletics department that they would take BeachBox Utah up on their offer. Powell spoke with Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer Charmelle Green in hopes of making any effort to keep the program alive.

“She didn’t indirectly say no, but she said she’s willing to keep the dialogue open. I’m taking that as they’re not turning down the offer officially yet,” Powell said. “I’m still going to be pursuing this. I’m still going to be fighting, I’m still going to be pressuring them to give me a final answer. I look forward to continuing the conversation and kind of being annoying. It was a good starting point on how we can work together to hopefully bring back the program.”

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