The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association commissioner, executive council, and member school representatives have voted that the Queens University of Charlotte men's volleyball program will be welcomed into the MIVA effective July 1, 2023, as officially announced by the MIVA. Competition for Queens in the MIVA will begin in the 2024 men's volleyball season.
"As one of the premier men's volleyball conferences competing for the National Collegiate men's volleyball championship, we are pleased to welcome Queens as a member of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association," MIVA commissioner Tim O'Brien said. "The University's commitment to men's volleyball through their facilities, administration, coaching staff and recruiting makes it clear they intend to keep their men's volleyball team competitive and look to immediately compete for championships. They will be an incredibly valued member that will help strengthen and stabilize our conference as the collegiate landscape continues to shift and the sport of men's volleyball continues to grow."
Queens men's volleyball is led by head coach
Jeremy Price, who has been at the helm of the program since its inception. A familiar face to the MIVA, Price spent five seasons as the head coach at Grand Canyon, which was a member of the conference from 2010-17. Price has been a head coach for 14 years, four at Division III Juniata, five at Grand Canyon and five at Queens.
"Since we began the program in 2018, we have been pointing to this moment of affiliating with a major men's volleyball conference," Price said. "As a coach, I always want to associate with and compete against the very best. Joining the MIVA will allow us to do that every time we step on the court in a conference that has produced five of the past 12 national champions. On a personal note, I would like to thank and honor our 'first generation' of players that set the standard that allowed us to get to the MIVA. As we honor those athletes, I am extremely excited for the future of Queens University of Charlotte men's volleyball and the MIVA."
The Royals will transition into the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association on July 1, 2023, and will be immediately eligible for the MIVA Tournament in 2024.
"Queens University of Charlotte is thrilled to be joining the MIVA, the oldest men's volleyball conference in the NCAA," Queens Director of Athletics
Cherie Swarthout said. "We are excited to engage and collaborate with the diverse group of institutions that make up the MIVA and look forward to welcoming them to our campus and our amazing city of Charlotte. The MIVA is an excellent fit for the Queens men's volleyball program and Curry Arena will be the perfect showcase for MIVA Volleyball."
Curry Arena is the home of Queens men's volleyball. It is in the Levine Center, a three-story, 145,000 square-foot building where the men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball and wrestling programs also compete. The five-time national champion men's and women's swimming teams also compete in the Levine Aquatic Center. Curry Arena seats up to 2,500 fans and has been the home of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Southeast Regional twice.
With the addition of Queens, the MIVA will be home to six Division I programs: Ball State, Ohio State, Lindenwood, Loyola Chicago, Purdue Fort Wayne and Queens. Division II programs Lewis, McKendree and Quincy round out the nine-team league.