GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, Ala.—For the ninth year in a row, student athletes and fans will once again be heading to Alabama’s Beaches this year for the NCAA’s National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship. All-session and day passes are available for purchase so that fans can secure a seat in the sand May 2-4 at Gulf Place Public Beach in Gulf Shores, Ala.
Tickets can be purchased at NCAATickets.com. Each dual match will air live on the ESPN family of networks, with the championship live on ESPN at 9:30 a.m. CDT/10:30 a.m. EDT Sunday, May 4, as the lead-in for SportsCenter.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years since this championship began,” says Kristin Fasbender, director of championships and alliances for the NCAA. “To celebrate this anniversary at the same place it began is a testament to the Gulf Shores community. From the very first championship, they have done nothing short of providing an outstanding experience for student-athletes and fans. We have no doubt it will be no different this year. We look forward to another amazing championship on the sand of Gulf Shores.”
Over the years, championship attendance has grown, increasing economic impact for the Alabama Gulf Coast and national exposure for the region through the ESPN family of networks.
“What a ride it’s been hosting this caliber of championship for the last decade!” says Michelle Russ, STS, vice president of sales and sports at Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events. “Building this championship from the ground up alongside host institution UAB and our partners – the city of Gulf Shores and The Hangout Hospitality Group – has been nothing short of amazing. Helping grow the sport through grassroots efforts with the Gulf Coast Region of USA Volleyball is the icing on the cake.”
