Reinventing the AVP

After nearly getting the ax, the Association of Volleyball Professionals looks to revitalize itself, starting with a tournament in Huntington Beach. By Hannah McCaffrey

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The 2010 tour for the Association of Volleyball Professionals came to a screeching halt last season due to issues in attendance and funding. Thankfully, the AVP tour is looking to completely reinvent itself for the 2011 season.

Since the first Manhattan Beach Open in 1960, both men’s and women’s volleyball has accumulated numerous sponsors including Jose Cuervo, Miller Brewing Company, and Bolle Sunglasses (as if volleyball wasn’t awesome enough). It reached continued success with high tournament attendance and even more people watching on cable TV.

After the plug was nearly pulled, the 2011 AVP tour seeks to re-establish professional volleyball as an action packed display of elite athleticism. This year the AVP Championships will be held on October 22 in Huntington Beach, California. Huntington Beach is notorious for promoting surf, beach, and volleyball culture, as this iconic spot has hosted tournaments for many decades. In addition to being held in sunny California, tournament admission is free to the general public.

Last season the AVP was significantly set back, but this tournament proves likely to propel professional volleyball back into the limelight. After the October championship, the AVP expects to add additional tournaments in upcoming years.

The road may not be easy, as many television and radio stations are uneasy about broadcasting a sport that has had such tumultuous times in the past few years. However, the Huntington Beach Championship match can be nothing but positive for the AVP as well as fans and spectators.