APS Board of Directors Gets Update on Plans to Add Men's Volleyball Players
Published on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 8:29 p.m.
- Lou Shiler-Moroux hit Austin with Adams last year. The Austin Public Schools Board heard details Monday about plans to officially add the sport.Herald file photo
The Austin School Committee heard an update Monday night regarding the addition of boys volleyball to Austin High School's athletics roster.
Last May, the Minnesota High School League approved sanctions for boys' volleyball. Austin currently has a club team, which, if approved by the board, is scheduled to begin as a sanctioned sport in the spring of the 2024-25 school year.
In a presentation to the board Monday night, Austin High School activities director Katie Carter highlighted details if approved, including a 17-game schedule with up to three tournaments not including the postseason.
The number of players in the national team will not exceed 18 and the match layout of points and best of 5 matches will apply as in the women's season.
Carter also said the addition of boys volleyball does not affect Title IX and the district will continue to comply. If men's volleyball is added, there will be 12 sports for women and 11 sports for men.
After Monday's presentation, Carter said the board's vote will likely take place June 10 and that he will return to the board May 28 to answer further questions from the board.
If the board approves the addition, the district would be required to hire two coaches: a varsity coach and an assistant coach.
Carter said the impact on other sports would be minimal.
“Compared to other spring sports, it's not that different,” she said.
Austin falls into Section 1A, which is awaiting approval, along with Apple Valley, Eastview, Farmington, Kasson Manterville, Lakeville North & South, Martin Luther High School, New Prague, Rochester Mayo and Rosemount.
