Volleyball fan-base growing?

[ifly]

Checking the AVCA Grand-Fan-Club which lists matches attended by 1,000 or more spectators, this year's list is impressive.

Ganted, Hawaii and BYU own the list. In past years, however, only a few entries were merely over 1,000. Hawaii looked big with 3,000 or 4,000. This year Hawaii tops the list with 11,513 spectators! As of this date, 39 matches were played in the "Grand" category, many well over the qualifying 1,000 minimum. Things are looking good.

www.avca.org/collegiate/Men'sclub/03DIGrandFanClub.asp

[Cougfan]

no my friend, it was byu that drew 11,513 fans, but hawaii did win the match in 4 to force a split that weekend. Great weekend of volleyball.

[Bookumdanoaloha]

I was at the match. It has to be the Highlight of the Season - 11,000 plus screaming Cougar Fans and about 250 Hawaii fans. ITS WAS ELECTRIC. Some of the Hawaii players (eg. Costas said it was a once in a lifetime match). The top ten attended games this year involved Hawaii.

I was at a bar in New Orleans several years ago with Ray Ratelle, former coach of Long Beach State and he told me that it was important for Mens Volleyball that Hawaii have a good season. I guess because of the sheer numbers in fan support and the draw Hawaii provides. If you were at the BYU/Hawaii or UCI/Hawaii you'll know what I mean. In a couple of years UCI will be moving their games to the Bren Center.

The Mens game will continue to grow - because of the parity among the schools. I look forward to seeing more BIG GAMES in the future. BOOKUMDANOALOHA