The University of Utah has made the decision to terminate its beach volleyball program at the conclusion of the academic year. The announcement was made on Tuesday, marking an end to a team that had been active since 2017 and just completed its most successful season. This move reduces the number of intercollegiate programs sponsored by the university to 19. Athletic director Mark Harlan stated that this decision came after extensive deliberation, focusing on the sport's limited growth potential and the lack of facilities conducive to championship-level events.
Mark Harlan elaborated on the rationale behind discontinuing the beach volleyball program. He highlighted the current state of collegiate beach volleyball, noting there are only twelve such programs among power conference institutions, with little indication of expansion in the near future. Furthermore, the Big 12 Conference, which Utah joined this academic year, features merely four schools sponsoring the sport and lacks an automatic qualifier for the NCAA tournament. TCU, Arizona, and Arizona State are among those continuing the sport, with TCU earning a notable seed in the upcoming NCAA championships.
Utah's beach volleyball journey concluded last week at the Big 12 championships, following their best-ever record in nine years. They finished the season with 21 wins and 14 losses, achieving a top-25 ranking for the first time. Coincidentally, Brenda Whicker, who coached the Utes for eight seasons, announced her retirement on the same day as the final match. Whicker expressed gratitude for her time at Utah, describing it as a second home and reflecting fondly on the program's growth and the athletes she mentored.
In response to the program's termination, Harlan assured support for affected student-athletes during this transition. Scholarships will be honored for both current and incoming athletes should they choose to remain at the university or pursue opportunities elsewhere. Incoming student-athletes' scholarships will also be upheld, and funds previously allocated for beach volleyball will be redirected to other women's sports programs.
The University of Utah is committed to aiding student-athletes impacted by the cessation of the beach volleyball program. Ensuring a smooth transition, whether students opt to stay or transfer, underscores the institution's dedication to supporting its athletes beyond the court. By reallocating resources, the university aims to enhance its existing women's sports offerings while respecting the contributions of past and present members of the beach volleyball team.