The annual meeting for MIVA Division 1 and Division 2 club teams took place on Saturday, November 14, 2009 in East Lansing, drawing student representatives from across the Midwest. USA Volleyball’s CEO, Doug Beal attended both MIVA Division 1 and Division 2 club meetings, and addressed approximately 1,000 students, officials, fans and event programmers in connection with the 20th Annual Spartan Back to the Hardwood Classic tournament. Student club representatives from Ohio State and Bowling Green, Beal’s alma maters, presented him with an MIVA plaque recognizing his Midwest and national grass-roots contributions to the sport. Mr. Beal spoke highly of USAV’s association with the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation and their joint efforts to stage the 2010 NCVF Collegiate Club Volleyball Championships in Louisville, Kentucky on April 1-3, 2010. The MIVA has officially and exclusively endorsed NCVF/USAV administration of the 26th annual national collegiate club championship tournament.

MIVA Commissioner Sante Perrelli cited the volunteer work of commissioners and volunteers around the country who donate countless hours to encourage and administer organized playing opportunities for male and female club athletes. Perrelli thanked Doug Beal and USAV for bringing their world class experience to the 2010 NCVF Club Volleyball Championships and encouraged those in attendance to continue grass roots traditions by staying with the sport after graduation as players, coaches, officials and administrators. As the national governing body for the sport, USA Volleyball and regional volleyball associations provide that opportunity. Perrelli and MSU Club President Jon Crepeau also thanked Lakeshore Region Volleyball Association and its Commissioner Mary Jo Hardy for arranging the Beal visit and for supporting the 20th anniversary of the Hardwood tournament.

Beal also attended the break out sessions for MIVA Division 1 and Division 2 team representatives and answered questions ranging from rules of the game, to student membership opportunities in regional volleyball associations and USAV’s current involvement with the 2010 club national championship in Louisville.

In addition to USA Volleyball related matters, club representatives discussed a full range of issues pertaining to the upcoming volleyball season. League officials reviewed the league requirement for all MIVA club teams to register on the NCVF web page after December 1 and comply with NCVF Governance Rule requirements pertaining to player and team eligibility for the upcoming season. Also reviewed were a list of benefits to NCVF registered teams, including discounted airline tickets for the Hoosier Illini and Louisville national tournament, discounted balls, a USAV sponsored free coaching webinar, reduced hotel costs for the national championship tournament, one event USAV membership and secondary sports accident insurance for participants in the national championship and other benefits.

MIVA League officials announced that Wisconsin-Oshkosh has been selected to host the 2010 MIVA Division 1 and 2 Championships on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28.  In a letter sent to MIVA club representatives, UW-Oshkosh Head Coach Brian Schaefer says, “The UW-Oshkosh is grateful for the opportunity to host the 2010 MIVA Division 1 and Division 2 championships.  We are eager to welcome those participating in this great event.  We are confident that all participating team will enjoy the compact campus feel UW-Oshkosh has to offer, while being able to compete in top-notch facilities.” This will be the first time that UW-Oshkosh has hosted the MIVA Championships.  MIVA member Lakeland hosted the event in 2006, and UW-Whitewater hosted back to back championships in 2001 and 2002.  MIVA Commissioner Sante Perrelli remarks, “we are thrilled to travel back to Wisconsin and be hosted by one of the nation’s most organized club organizations at UW-Oshkosh.  The proximity for teams in the western side of our conference will help stimulate more participation and growth, and we know that UW-Oshkosh will roll out the red carpet for the MIVA this year.”  Perrelli also noted “UW-Oshkosh is a part of the MIVA Midwest 10 Volleyball Conference that has been expertly nurtured and organized by Brian Nash, former Marquette player and Head Coach and a long time MIVA supporter.”