Men's Volleyball Should be a High School and College Sport in all States

      The game of volleyball, originally called “mintonette,” was invented by William G. Morgan in 1895. Morgan, designed the game to be a combination of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball. Today, more than 46 million Americans play volleyball (History of Volleyball). In the United States, there is girls' volleyball teams for college and high school level of playing in every single state, but there is only 21 states that provide men's volleyball teams for the high school and college level. In 2010 NCAA stated, "There is only 23 Division I schools and 90 schools overall with men's volleyball programs, and there are 319 Division I schools and 1,025 overall with women's programs" (Jones 2011). The Olympics have men and women's indoor and outdoor volleyball, so why do most of the colleges and high schools in the United States only have women's volleyball and not have men's volleyball as well? In order to get to an Olympic level of playing in any sport you have to learn how to play at a lower level of competition first. So, I believe high school and college should provide a volleyball team for both sexes in all states.

      Volleyball is one of the most popular girls' sports, and throughout the country, their are strong high school and club teams to support girl's playing in the sport. According to a 2012 survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations (N.F.H.S.), "Volleyball is the third highest sport for female participation at the high school level behind basketball and outdoor track and field." The N.F.H.S. also stated, "For every boy currently competing in high school volleyball, more than eight girls are involved"(Volleyball United States 2016). I believe that if boys had the opportunity to participate in volleyball on a high school team this 8 to 1 ratio might change to about 8 girls involved to 5 boys who are involved. The states that do sanction volleyball for both sexes typically have considerably fewer schools sponsoring the boys' game and in turn, fewer participants. According to NCAA, "Scholarship opportunities are more limited for men. In Division I, men's teams get the equivalent of 4.5 scholarships, which can be divided among five or more team members if needed, while division I women's volleyball is considered a 'head count' sport, and each team can award as many as 12 full scholarships, but only one per athlete" (Jones 2011). Men should be rewarded the same amount of scholarships as women are offered. We live in the age of 'gender equality' now right?

     Men's volleyball should be a high school and college sport in all states so boys can be provided with the same opportunities and scholarships as women. Men should be able to compete and learn the game without having to move to a different state who does provide volleyball. A former Penn State player and a player on the USA volleyball team, Will Price states, "I just think that if a young player got a taste of what real men's volleyball is like, they'll realize it's not backyard barbecue volleyball. It's a completely different sport than what a lot of people imagine — it's fast, dynamic, and explosive"(Jones 2011). I agree with Price, everyone should get the chance to play volleyball, and it doesn't matter what gender you are.  

The 21 States that provide men's volleyball:

• Alabama                  
• Arizona                                           
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Missouri
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York                                             
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania                                     
• Rhode Island
• Texas
• Virginia

Sources:
States that have men's volleyball
Volleyball in the United States
History of Volleyball
USA Today: Men's Volleyball Article