Last July, we served up word that the NCAA was considering adding beach volleyball - or “sand volleyball”, as they prefer to call it -  to their varsity curriculum. Now that wonderful dream has become a reality.

(Coming soon to a campus near you!)

Tom Hoffarth of FARTHER OFF THE WALL reports that the NCAA Division I Legislature voted to add sand volleyball to their list of emerging sports for women. In other words, schools can now start fielding teams that will be officially recognized by the NCAA.

Olympian Kerri Walsh seems pretty happy with the decision:

“The opportunity to play sand volleyball in the spring will spur growth in the sport. I wish I had that opportunity when I was at Stanford. Additionally, this development will give more women an opportunity for a professional volleyball career in the United States.”

If nothing else, it will definitely give more female athletes more attention. I would imagine attendance at collegiate “sand volleyball” events would be pretty respectable. (”Respectable” in terms of crowd size, not necessarily referring to the types of frat boys that might show up for these matches.)

It will be interesting to see what kind of uniform will be used for intercollegiate competition. I would subscribe to the theory that “less is more” (as provided in these various photo examples). You know - less clothing would mean greater flexibility and improved aerodynamics and such.

And once they start broadcasting some sand volleyball matches, CBS College Sports ratings would skyrocket. Or at the very least, people will finally have a good excuse to tune in.