A task force has been created as Tarleton State University considers a possible move from Division II to Division I membership.
As part of the discussions, the possibility of adding beach volleyball to the school’s 14-sport slate has been brought up.
The task force, which had its first meeting on Oct. 6, is made up of Dr. Rick Richardson, Interim Vice President, Finance and Administration; Justin Boyd, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance; Dr. Keith Emmert, Mathematics Associate Professor and Faculty Senate President; Lori Beaty, Assistant Vice President and Controller; and Dr. Keldon Bauer, Accounting, Finance and Economics Department Head and Assistant Professor.
The group is discussing everything from where the nearly $1.5 million application fee would come from, the effects on both the athletics and campus communities and more.
In its latest meeting on Oct. 12, the task force noted the school already has the 14 sport minimum covered for Dvision I entry, but that the athletics department is
“We have, and are currently looking at, adding beach volleyball because we have the facilities,” Boyd told the school’s student newspaper, JTAC News. “We have a coach. It is a small team.”
The allure of beach volleyball is the roster size as well as the smaller monetary impact if the school had to build a new facility.
Also on the table at the meeting were the development of an FAQ sheet, a website and a method for obtaining feedback throughout the process.
The task force will continue meeting weekly throughout the fall to gather information ahead of a possible Division I invitation in December.
VolleyMob will keep an eye on the situation and the possible addition of beach volleyball to the Tarleton State lineup.
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