Sunday, September 11, 2011

MIVA 2012 – Traditions Start at Home

The 2011-2012 school year has begun and MIVA club teams are scheduling open gyms, holding tryouts, planning pre-season events, working with school administrators, and looking forward to the January start of the 2012 season.  Club representatives will attend the mandatory annual MIVA pre-season meeting held on Saturday, November 12 in conjunction with the Back to the Hardwood  Classic tournament at Michigan State.  The MIVA annual meeting is a tradition that dates back to the 1950’s, providing an opportunity for club leaders to reacquaint themselves with league requirements, announce club sponsored events, review rules and otherwise prepare for season play.

“Attending the meeting is a sign of respect for the league and all that it has done to advance opportunities for club athletes,” says MIVA Commissioner Sante Perrelli.  “It also provides a chance for new players to learn about the magic and traditions of Midwestern club volleyball.  This year, we will expand our discussion to include a beach volleyball initiative and the potential of extending cooperative opportunities for women within our league structure.  It should be a great meeting and help all our teams prepare for yet another great year of club volleyball.

Indeed, following the 2011 NCVF Division 1 Men’s final four team placements (UW-Oshkosh, Notre Dame, Indiana and Illinois State), there can be little dispute that the MIVA has found a formula for success and is clearly a trend setter when it comes to extending championship opportunities.  The final four placements of the Irish, Hoosiers and Redbirds was a first for each program -- while the club volleyball nation has certainly come to expect nothing less than a championship performance by the powerhouse Titans.

“Our reach-out to existing leagues around the country, our role with the NCVF and the personal efforts we have made to forge some great relationships with college administrators, parents and friends, have paid great dividends in terms of helping to create a competitive culture for men’s club volleyball teams here in the Midwest,” Perrelli said.  Dan Kitchel, MIVA Director of Competition points out that “we do our best to extend organized playing opportunities for beginning through advanced teams and small and large schools – every year I get phone calls from new students, administrators and others who are interested in being a part of the MIVA collegiate club experience.”  Perrelli adds “student club athletes are amazing – they continue to demonstrate year in and year out just how dedicated they are to the sport and how the Olympic values they gain as club participants positively impact their lives long after graduation.”

As a result of the successes by the MIVA and other club leagues and organizations around the country, the NCVF has been able to attract a partnership relationship with USA Volleyball, the national governing body for the sport. USA Volleyball and the NCVF are responsible for staging the annual NCVF Championship Tournament, which draws over 300 teams and nearly 5,000 participants.  Last year’s championship tournament in Houston was the largest intercollegiate volleyball championship tournament ever held, in terms of the number of teams participating.  This year, the event will be held in Kansas City, which promises to be a huge draw for Midwest teams.  “We are certain that the MIVA will be well represented in Kansas City, and look forward to another great competitive season this year,” Kitchel said.

For more information regarding this championship organization or it’s November 12 mandatory league meetings, contact Dan Kitchel.