Nebraska is adding a 24th intercollegiate varsity sport – sand volleyball. The university announced that the new team would begin competition this spring. More than 20 schools currently participate in intercollegiate sand volleyball, which began as an NCAA Division I sport last spring. The NCAA will sponsor a national championship once 40 schools sponsor programs. Husker court volleyball head coach John Cook will coach the new team. Though Nebraska will not offer scholarships for the program, all of Cook’s current court players are all eligible to play sand volleyball. Each team must play a minimum of eight competition dates, including three duals, each season. Nebraska does not plan to host any competitions this spring. Practice for Husker sand volleyball will begin later this week.

Statement from Nebraska sand volleyball head coach John Cook:

“We have talked a great deal about our vision for sand volleyball. We plan to start small and grow as the sport continues to develop. We understand the challenges in terms of our location, but we have a good plan on how to manage our sand volleyball team and grow with the sport.”

Statement from Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst:

“Coach Osborne and Coach Cook had discussions about the possibility of adding sand volleyball over the past few months and things came together quickly in recent weeks. We are excited to sponsor a sport that is beginning to emerge on the national level, and plan to grow with the sport in the coming years. Our volleyball program has a remarkable record of success over a long period of time, and we hope to add to that legacy through our sand volleyball team in the years ahead.”