Jersey Swapping for Memories at Nationals

Bill Kauffman
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: bill.kauffman@usav.org

AUSTIN, Texas (July 4, 2010) – The USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships, held this year at the Austin Convention Center in Texas from July 2-9, has a tradition of its own that allows players to create lasting memories through their clothing.

Called the “Jersey Swap,” the activity seems like an impromptu flea market of sorts. On the third day of the 2010 USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships, the trading began on the Austin Convention Center concrete at the foot of the championships desk. The trading location is ideal as foot traffic by the championship desk is high with most courts off in the distance. Even individuals walking into the main entry to the convention center hall see the make-shift trading location.

“It is a tradition to have the players trading jerseys during the event,” USA Volleyball Coordinator of Events Barbara Eisenbeis said. “The boys are the only ones that do it out of our national championships. And this year, it is cool that they have chosen to do it on the floor near the championship desk where they get noticed.”

For Chris Pokrzywa of North Shore 18-1, he has seen the tradition in person since playing in the event since he was 14. He is willing to trade his own jerseys from past years for ones worn by his opponents.

“This is my last year playing at Junior Nationals, and it serves as a good memory of the times playing in the event over the years,” said Pokrzywa, who will be playing club volleyball next season with University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. “I have played against many of the teams that I have traded jerseys with, and that will serve as a good memories for all the times I played here.”

Warren Six Pack 18 had four teammates setting up shop on the convention center concrete floor looking for anyone willing to trade.

“It is like ‘Wow! I get shirts from all over,” Peter Lysiak of Warren Six Pack 18s said. “I am willing to share jerseys with anyone willing to trade.”

Lysiak, who intends to play club volleyball next year with Indiana University, said his most prized trade yielded him a full Canadian team warm-up outfit. He has also traded for a jersey from a player from Pitterres, a club based out of Puerto Rico.

To view teams competing in the event, schedules, brackets or results, click here.

USA Volleyball, in partnership with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), will video stream three days worth of championship matches during the event. The broadcast schedule includes gold medal matches for Open and Club Divisions in 18s (July 5), 16s (July 6) and 15s (July 7) age groups. The streaming video can be accessed at usavolleyball.org/live.

For more information on the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships, visit usavolleyball.org/events/2403.

2010 USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships Schedule
12 Club (July 2-4): Gold – Narajinto Envol (Puerto Rico); Silver – Vaqueros 12-1 (Puerto Rico); Bronze – Torrimar 12-2 (Puerto Rico)
13 Club: Cancelled due to limited team registrations
14 Club: July 5-8
14 Open: July 5-8
15 Club: July 4-7
15 Open: July 4-7
16 Club: July 3-6
16 Open: July 3-6
17 Club: July 6-9
17 Open: July 6-9
18 Club: July 2-5
18 Open: July 2-5

Tags: USA Volleyball Boys' Junior National Championships