Michigan State University Men's Club Volleyball

Michigan State University Men's Club Volleyball was founded in 1989. It is currently a part of MIVA, and competes in the NCVF National Championships. The club currently has four teams, Green, White, Posse, and Greenhorns who all practice in the IM West Sports Arena on the campus of Michigan State University. The Green team is coached by Sante Perrelli. The club also hosts the Back to the Hardwood Classic which is the biggest preseason tournament in the country.

Club history

The MSU Volleyball Club is a self-funded registered student organization in East Lansing, MI at Michigan State University, relying on student leadership to organize and operate season-long practice and play for MSU students. It is a founding member of the MIVA, one of the nation's oldest and most respected collegiate volleyball organizations.

The Club has open gym hours in the evenings throughout the fall at the IM Sports West Arena. Team tryouts are typically held at the IM Sports West in late September or early October each year. Club practice sessions take place 3 to 4 times per week during the pre-season, focusing on skill development, rules of the game, team placement and competitive drills/play. Tryouts are open to any MSU student.

The Club is made up of beginning through advanced players, representing a diverse cross section of cultural, ethnic, academic and athletic backgrounds. While many members come from Michigan and surrounding states, some come from far away nations where volleyball is as popular as any other sport. The Club embraces diversity within its mission to serve student athletes who seek an alternative and legitimate competitive volleyball athletic opportunity at MSU and represent the university in intercollegiate athletic competitions.^[1]

Yearly operations

On January 1 of each year, the official club season begins. Typically the teams practice at night and engage in weekend competitions through April. Club teams play against other recognized collegiate club teams in MIVA league play, culminating in BTMVA, Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association, and NCVF Championship events.

Unlike most states in the Midwest, Michigan does not sponsor boy's interscholastic high school volleyball. Still, since 1989, MSU has achieved above a .750 match win percentage, earning ten Top 10 National Championship finishes, 9 BTMVA Championships, 7 MIVA Championships, and a top 25 ranking for every year since inception of the national poll. In addition to practice and play, MSU players sponsor player clinics for kids – from the inner-city of Detroit to the shores of Lake Michigan. The 50 team Spartan Back to the Hardwood Tournament, established in 1989, is the largest pre-season intercollegiate men's volleyball tournament in the nation,^[2] drawing teams and USA Volleyball officials from throughout the United States and Canada.

The Club and its coaches, volunteers and community members take great pride in teaching the game to any student willing to make a commitment. The Club has produced MVPs and All-Americans at every position, a Gold Medal winning USA Volleyball coach, an NCAA Division 3 National Championship coach, numerous AVP (professional beach volleyball) players, a US Olympic Men's "B" team member, a MHSAA State Championship coach and an endearing alumni that travel back to the Banks of the Red Cedar each year to participate in charitable events, golf outings, tailgate parties, pasta dinners and of course, to play volleyball.

Alumni

Worldwide, the MSU men's volleyball alumni family includes teachers, doctors, lawyer, dentists, engineers, economists, business executives, career military, scientists, and many other professionals. Former Club members can also be found working in business throughout Europe, pursuing volunteer missionary work in Africa, and spearheading agricultural, medical, technological and entrepreneurial efforts in China, the Middle East and throughout North America. Despite this geographical diversity, MSU alumni stay actively engaged by offering Club graduates counseling, job opportunities, friendship and a sense of MSU family that lasts long after graduation.

Academics

Academic excellence has always been the Club's #1 priority and a prerequisite for team participation. The Club's graduation rate since 1989 is 99%, making it the most academically distinguished sports team (club or varsity) on campus.

Coaching

The club is coached by Sante Perrelli^[3] who is in his 25th season as head coach.^[4] Coach Perrelli has USA Volleyball Impact, CAP Level 1 and CAP Level 2 coaching certifications and was named the 2006 National Coach of the Year. "Perrelli's green machine is an organizational model for all collegiate sports to emulate. The Spartans' consistency of high performance is the results of excellent coaching, fiscal management and a commitment to national exposure." — Gary Colberg, Director of Competition, NCVF National Championship.

Top 25 Ranking since 1989

References