The LeMoyne-Owen College is set to introduce men’s volleyball to its athletic program in the 2024-2025 season, joining the ranks of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (SIAC) NCAA Division II teams. This development makes LeMoyne-Owen the seventh SIAC HBCU to sponsor men’s volleyball at the NCAA DI-II level.
The college will receive a $75,000 grant from the First Point Volleyball Foundation to support the establishment of the program, covering start-up costs and other expenses.
The announcement was made during halftime at the home basketball game against Lane College on February 17, 2024. Interim President Dr. Christopher B. Davis and Director of Athletics William Anderson will present the news, highlighting the grant’s role in enhancing the college’s athletic and student development.
Dr. Davis expressed his gratitude for the support, emphasizing its impact on the institution’s growth and the opportunities it creates for student-athletes. Similarly, Anderson acknowledged the grant’s significance in promoting inclusivity and excellence in the college’s athletic program.
First Point Volleyball Foundation, since its inception in 2016, has been instrumental in starting 42 new college volleyball programs and funding 90 new scholarships. LeMoyne-Owen plans to fund three scholarships, the maximum allowed by the NCAA for DI-II men’s volleyball. The search for a head coach is underway.
The Foundation’s Co-Founder, John Speraw, also Head Coach of UCLA Men’s Volleyball and the US Men’s National team, expressed his excitement about the partnership and the role of philanthropy in supporting college sports. Wade Garard, CEO of First Point Volleyball, commended the efforts of Dr. Davis and Anderson in integrating the sport into the college’s community.
LeMoyne-Owen’s men’s volleyball team will compete in the SIAC, which has an automatic bid to the NCAA DI-II men’s volleyball championship. The team joins other SIAC institutions in this fast-growing sport, reflecting the conference’s commitment to expanding athletic opportunities.
