Morehead State, which is in its second year of collegiate beach volleyball, is set to play host to the first ever NCAA sanctioned Division I match in the state on April 2.
The doubleheader with Austin Peay, the team’s lone home matches of the year, also will mark the christening of the newly dubbed Fazoli’s Breadstick Beach facility on campus.
Through the partnership with alumni Dan Markwell and John Collins as well as Fazoli’s the Eagles will debut their new three-court facility, complete with a viewing deck and nearby hillside, and shower facility.
“We value the partnership we have with Dan Markwell and John Collins and Fazoli’s,” MSU Director of Athletics Brian Hutchinson said. “Beach volleyball is one of the top emerging NCAA sports, and their commitment and partnership will help transform our facility into a first-class venue for our program to compete and train at.”
Coach Jaime Gordon echoed Hutchinson’s thanks and hopes for the future.
“Their commitment to enhancing our facility is a win-win situation for our program, our department and our community,” Gordon said.
Markwell, who has a longstanding relationship with Eagle Athletics sees the benefit of the historic venue.
“We are 100 percent committed to helping our community, and this is an excellent way for Fazoli’s to continue our partnership with Morehead State Athletics,” he said. “We look forward to many exciting events at Fazoli’s Breadstick Beach. To have the first college beach volleyball facility in Kentucky is an exciting venture for MSU Athletics and the Morehead community.”
Fazoli’s Breadstick Beach is on the east end of the MSU campus near Allen Field, the Eagles’ baseball facility.
Morehead State posted a 2-16 record in its first NCAA beach season in 2017, playing on the road at tournaments at Stetson, Eckerd and Austin Peay and in duel matches at Jacksonville and Webber International. The school recently announced their first two beach-only recruits will join the team in 2019.
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