“Ridiculous”
That’s the sentiment from Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook on the NCAA Volleyball Tournament being reduced to 48 teams for this spring. Cook was asked about the change after both his predecessor and a conference peer tweeted their disappointment in the reduction.
“Basketball didn’t cut back,” Cook said. “Why are we cutting back? Football didn’t cut back. Why are we cutting back?
“You’re really looking at 16 more teams and its all gonna be in one place anyway so they can make that adjustment.”
Cook’s predecessor Terry Pettit tweeted Sunday that the decision to cut down the tournament was before they decided on a single-site for the event. Pettit says there is still time to return the field to a full 64 teams.
“Volleyball is the most participated in women’s team sport,” Pettit said. “Showcase women with 64 teams. There is still time to do it.”
The NCAA's decision to cut the DI Women's Volleyball Championship to 48 teams because of Covid was before they decided to play the entire tournament in Omaha. Volleyball is the most participated in women's team sport. Showcase women with 64 teams. There is still time to do it.
— Terry Pettit (@TerryPettit1) March 21, 2021
Within the Big Ten Conference, one of Nebraska’s biggest rivals has been Wisconsin. The head coach of the Badgers Kelly Sheffield has been watching the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and wondering why his sport’s championship had to be cut down.
“I’m watching 68 BB teams compete,” Sheffield said. “Our entire tourn. will be in one location-there’s the cost savings. @ncaa should do right thing & increase VB to 64.”
When we were told 6 months ago there’d only be 48 teams in @NCAAVolleyball tourn. this year, we were just happy to have a season. I’m watching 68 BB teams compete. Our entire tourn. will be in one location-there’s the cost savings. @ncaa should do right thing & increase VB to 64.
— Kelly Sheffield (@KellyPSheffield) March 22, 2021
The statement from a trio a coaches with more than 1,900 wins combined comes in the wake of the NCAA dealing with issues of fair treatment between the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. While the men in Indianapolis were supplied everything athletes would need to continue their training in a bubble, the women in San Antonio were originally given only a single stack of weights and several yoga mats.
“The NCAA is under a lot of fire right now, especially with women’s sports,” Cook said. “They’re gonna pay a big price, I think.
“This would be one way they could start showing that women’s sports are important.”