|
Post by blastingsand on Dec 29, 2006 1:40:23 GMT -5
Don't forget the countless coaches and jobs related to the sport that would like to see the sport grow so they can make a better living. For the most part, salaries are horrible and good people are forced out of the sport to get "real jobs". The players need a US pro league, coaches need more money, and fans need more excitement. That's why the sport needs to grow. Although I may be outnumbered on this, a 13th scholarship would help. That's hundreds more that would owe the sport, schools would have to commit more money- things that will make the whole pie bigger for everyone. However I don't see the sport growing big time unless the men's side starts to gain more popularity. That might take some time... Maybe a little less than a century would be enough..
|
|
|
Post by donneyp on Dec 29, 2006 5:18:38 GMT -5
Men's volleyball is two teams away from having a NCAA run D3 championship tournament. Some believe that is the tipping point. Once men's volleyball comes in from the cold there are those who believe that dozens of those college club teams will become varsity teams.
Even if that does happen, why should that matter? Thousands of men are playing volleyball in the college club ranks, and paying and fundraising to do so. Will they be better volleyball fans when they get real uniforms and a second official? I don't think thats it.
|
|
|
Post by ugopher on Dec 29, 2006 9:39:29 GMT -5
I think Title IX will prevent many schools from elevating men's club teams to varsity status. Not that I mind, I think it is great that the women have, for the most part, a sport where they are not constantly compared to male counterparts. As another poster mentioned, I don't think volleyball needs to go big time, I would just like to see the sport get the recognition it deserves. On the positive side here in MN, if the pro teams in the area along with Gopher football and basketball continue their current level of play the Gopher volleyball program should get more media attention!!!
|
|
|
Post by bigfan on Dec 29, 2006 13:15:59 GMT -5
The sport probably will never get the recognition it deserves......but like great bands such as the Kinks, the Cult, and weirdly Nirvana...the purists recognize what great athletes these women are and how beautiful the art they compose is moving and in its way ephemeral.
|
|
|
Post by baldyballer on Dec 30, 2006 11:01:47 GMT -5
The mens side of the sport needs to grow-i agree. I started a mens college program at the naia level and I can tell you the hurdles. The international influence on the mens side is overwelming. To truly grow the mens game, grass root efforts have to be made to get high school americans interested. In Las Vegas, a small group of so called nerds fought the school board to add mens volleyball. After about 3 yrs of fighting for it the high schools added it. It hasn't grown to reno yet, but it is getting more attention and has become a great place to recruit american players. If more cities could echo these efforts you would see more colleges getting involved. I could go on and on about other problems but grassroot efforts would be a great start.
|
|
|
Post by baldyballer on Dec 30, 2006 11:03:06 GMT -5
The mens side of the sport needs to grow-i agree. I started a mens college program at the naia level and I can tell you the hurdles. The international influence on the mens side is overwelming. To truly grow the mens game, grass root efforts have to be made to get high school americans interested. In Las Vegas, a small group of so called nerds fought the school board to add mens volleyball. After about 3 yrs of fighting for it the high schools added it. It hasn't grown to reno yet, but it is getting more attention and has become a great place to recruit american players. If more cities could echo these efforts you would see more colleges getting involved. I could go on and on about other problems but grassroot efforts would be a great start.
|
|
|
Post by Chance on Dec 30, 2006 11:41:58 GMT -5
So i can watch the road games that i can't make it to in person for one...
|
|
|
Post by blastingsand on Dec 30, 2006 20:53:15 GMT -5
There are men that want to play this sport as well.
There's the other problem. Why should these kids that already in high school fight to add men's volleyball in high schools when by the time it is added, they would already be in college.
Great point! Us fans actually want to volleyball. We get a ton of golf, darts, and poker in ESPN type networks, but barely any volleyball
|
|
|
Post by verybasicdad on Dec 31, 2006 18:29:28 GMT -5
Two big reasons that Volleyball will not go big time...1) expense associated with the Club programs. A year can now set a family back well over 4000 dollars with all travel included. After 7 years of club a parent has all but paid a few years of college! Also keeps every girl from thinking of playing the sport at a younger age and the High School season means nothing for the player in ways of recruitment. 2) The media does not see the game exciting enough to pursue. Too many poor plays during a match compared to spectacular ones resulting in poor TV ratings. Heck, the national sports media does not cover anything but the final weekend and then it was nothing more than the team rosters!
Be careful what you ask for as once the sport hits the big time along comes the scandal that rocks other sports in college!
|
|
|
Post by Gorf on Dec 31, 2006 23:23:47 GMT -5
Is the expense of volleyball club programs more expensive than similar programs for basketball, soccer, and other sports for girls?
As for the media. I think (R)uffda! is right that the issue is more than they don't understand the sport. It's not the same or similar to other sports that they're used to covering.
IMO: I think there are as many (if not more) poor plays made in sports that the media does cover and those sport continue to be covered.
|
|
|
Post by baldyballer on Jan 1, 2007 3:11:19 GMT -5
Most those high school kids got to play only 1 year of organized ball but loved the fact that their clubs became an official sport. As for media- I think the game can be spiced up more to be fan friendly. Graphics,mic up the huddles, big name announcers, better camera angles, etc. Would help. We need people to experience the sport for the first time (which I think happened quite a bit last month in NE). Maybe we should look at doing like the XFL or arena fball and get aggresive with marketing and game changes.
|
|
|
Post by KenKaniff on Jan 1, 2007 13:06:42 GMT -5
The biggest thing, IMO, that needs to happen for the sport to become better exposed lies partially in the above thread: [glow=red,2,300]BETTER CAMERA ANGLES[/glow] A center line camera angle ala basketball, football (in effect) and hockey just does not put the athletes' talents on full display. It need to be from behind the court so that the viewer can see the explosion of the athlete, how the defense and offense are reacting, and the speed of the game. It should be from slightly above the floor (10-15 feet?) so that you can see both sides relatively well. I hear time and time again that volleyball isn't "made for TV". Yet we have thousands of people that watch the game and thoroughly enjoy it- from current/former players to parents who had never been exposed and are now hooked. I can tell you they didn't get hooked by sitting at center court, 40 feet above the action. They "got it" be being on the floor level and seeing the true abilities of the athletes. My $.02.
|
|
|
Post by baldyballer on Jan 1, 2007 17:44:39 GMT -5
I agree! ESPN told me that empty arenas are bad tv and that keeps them away from many games. Getting fans to sit close, using smaller venues, and shooting closer to eye level would all help. Also, I'd like to see slow mo replays from two to three angles to show athleticism.
|
|
|
Post by clivehusker on Jan 2, 2007 17:48:49 GMT -5
The biggest thing, IMO, that needs to happen for the sport to become better exposed lies partially in the above thread: [glow=red,2,300]BETTER CAMERA ANGLES[/glow] A center line camera angle ala basketball, football (in effect) and hockey just does not put the athletes' talents on full display. It need to be from behind the court so that the viewer can see the explosion of the athlete, how the defense and offense are reacting, and the speed of the game. It should be from slightly above the floor (10-15 feet?) so that you can see both sides relatively well. I hear time and time again that volleyball isn't "made for TV". Yet we have thousands of people that watch the game and thoroughly enjoy it- from current/former players to parents who had never been exposed and are now hooked. I can tell you they didn't get hooked by sitting at center court, 40 feet above the action. They "got it" be being on the floor level and seeing the true abilities of the athletes. My $.02. I'd have to see it done in that format 1st. Would you go only from one side? But I agree, that on replays the back angle, or back slightly to the side so you get a sense of forward movement in the jumps also. But definately be better to show them working around the blocks.
|
|
|
Post by bigfan on Jan 2, 2007 19:39:40 GMT -5
Be careful what you ask for as once the sport hits the big time along comes the scandal that rocks other sports in college! Yep......I think one of the reasons that I love the sport is I know it is great....people who follow know it is great....and if it ever catches on in a big-time basis it will be diminished by all the side shows that are sure to follow.
|
|