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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 1, 2025) – USA Volleyball Foundation’s First Point Fund proudly announces a $250,000 grant to University of the Pacific Athletics in support of reinstating Division I men’s volleyball. The USAVF grant was made possible with contributions from East Coast Volleyball, USA Volleyball, and USAVF donors dedicated to providing more opportunities through volleyball. Pacific’s President Dr. Christopher Callahan and Director of Athletics Adam Tschuor announced the grant and that the new DI men’s volleyball program would begin play in 2026-2027.
Founded to grow boys and men’s volleyball, First Point, now an arm of the USA Volleyball Foundation, has driven nationwide growth by rallying donors and partners dedicated to the future of volleyball. As the sport continues to surge across the country, boys volleyball is the fastest-growing high school team sport in the United States, rising 76 percent over the past decade and another 12 percent in the last year alone, according to statistics by the National Federation of State High School Associations. The timing of this multi-year grant offers Pacific a robust foundation as it prepares to relaunch its program, laying out the groundwork for sustained success.
“This is an exciting time for our sport. Bringing men’s volleyball back to Pacific marks a major milestone for Division I and for athletes striving to reach the highest levels of competition,” said John Speraw, President and CEO of USA Volleyball. “Restoring this program has long been a priority for First Point and USA Volleyball. Congratulations to President Callahan, the Pacific community, and the expanding boys volleyball ecosystem across Northern California and beyond. Thanks to our Foundation’s donors, more young men will now have greater collegiate opportunities than ever before.”
Support from USAVF’s First Point Fund, made possible by contributions from East Coast Volleyball and USA Volleyball, gives Pacific a clear path back into the collegiate volleyball landscape. This three-year grant will help build the program as it prepares for the 2026-27 season.
First Point Volleyball has not only helped launch 43 men’s collegiate volleyball programs nationwide but has also played a central role in the growth of the SIAC and NEC men’s volleyball conferences and the resulting expansion of the NCAA men’s volleyball championship.
“This is a proud moment for Pacific and its men’s volleyball alumni. Restoring the program honors a legacy built on national success and the lifelong impact this university had on all of us,” said Chris Tamas, a 2003 Pacific graduate, former men’s volleyball student-athlete, and current head coach of the Illinois women’s volleyball team. “We’re grateful to President Callahan, Director of Athletics Adam Tschuor, and our partners at First Point and USA Volleyball for helping bring this program back, as well as the alumni who championed its return. I’d like to thank and recognize longtime Pacific head coach Joe Wortmann, whose leadership shaped generations of Tigers. We are honored to compete once more in building on our proud history for future generations.”
The grant includes a $50,000 matching challenge designed to spark additional support from UOP men’s volleyball alumni. Pacific sponsored an NCAA DI men’s volleyball team from 1993 to 2014, when the program was discontinued. The newly reinstated Pacific program will compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation alongside BYU, Concordia Irvine, Menlo, Pepperdine, Stanford, UCLA, USC and Vanguard. The announcement follows the Pacific Board of Regents’ approval on November 7, which also elevated Pacific’s women’s cheer and stunt program to full Division I status.
“Pacific men’s volleyball has a proud legacy, and it’s fantastic and appropriate to see the program return,” said Karch Kiraly, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team. “While Southern California was once the sport’s center of gravity, today talent can come from everywhere. Pacific is positioned to recruit nationally, and I’m confident the program can rise quickly.”
A nationwide search is underway to identify Pacific’s next head coach as the university prepares for a long-awaited return to competition.
“None of this would be possible if not for the vision and leadership of President Callahan, our Board of Regents and Cabinet for backing this bold step forward,” Tschuor said. “Their support shows the strength and momentum of Pacific Athletics. I also want to thank East Coast Volleyball, First Point Volleyball and USA Volleyball for making this USAVF grant possible. Additionally, hearing from so many Pacific men’s volleyball alumni throughout this process has been inspiring and greatly appreciated. The passion for this program runs deep, and that has shown in the dozens of pledges to help support men’s volleyball moving forward.”
“While other universities are eliminating programs, Pacific Athletics is growing and expanding under the visionary leadership of Athletic Director Adam Tschuor,” Callahan said. “We are thrilled to return our storied men’s volleyball program back to the Spanos Center.”
For more information about Pacific’s men’s volleyball program, the national search for its head coach, or ways to support the growth of volleyball, please contact Pacific Athletics or visit USA Volleyball Foundation.