Elite pro John Hyden received AVP memo on Friday
(Olympic Proportions)
Waking up this morning, in the wake of the Association of Volleyball Professionals’ Friday announcement that it has cancelled its season, was tough ... real tough.
Many in the sports world are still scratching their heads … “How could this tour, the hottest sport at the Summer Olympics, end in the heart of its season?”
In recent weeks, the ever-hopeful management team was negotiating with investors to throw it a life preserver. While these desperate talks ensued, the bewildered players and fans were hoping for the best, yet expecting the worst.
So, when it was announced Friday afternoon that the pro tour was terminating its season – the equivalent of pulling down the volleyball net and heading into the sunset – this shockwave rumbled through the sports world.
“On behalf of AVP staff we want to express our sincere gratitude to fans, players, partners and sponsors. Words cannot express our profound disappointment,” said Jason Hodell, the AVP CEO and former pro player.
As soon as the AVP issued an internal memo to its players yesterday (“As of now, the AVP will be closing the doors…."), these pro athletes soon tweeted and commented on Facebook about their sadness. After all, for many, their dreams of stardom were now sandblasted.
Misty May-Treanor was among the first to share her views on Facebook, "If no one has heard, the AVP season is over!!!! Thank u for all of your support.”
Jennifer Snyder, tweeted “What an unbelievably sad Friday the 13th... The AVP is gone. That's it. My heart is heavy...”
And on his AVP blog, Hans Stolfus (now an ex-employee) posted several laments he received from the tour’s top athletes.
“Now. …I have nowhere to go. I’ve put off more lucrative careers because I have love and respect for the game and want to make my mark," said Aaron Wachtfogel.
“Playing on the AVP Tour has allowed me to live my dream as a professional beach volleyball player .
The AVP allowed me to do that, and I will always be grateful,” said Matt Prosser.
The AVP has been the catalyst to me discovering my dreams and finding a way to make them come true. I owe a debt of gratitude for the opportunities that the AVP has set before me for the last nine years. There are so many loyal fans who have become part of the AVP family and to think we may never hear their cheers again is a tragedy, " said Angie Akers.
Sports fans similarly shared their shock and grief in the social media outlets. Rapid-fire postings on Twitter were viral with links to articles and Facebook pages.
Today, still dazed and confused, many are wondering how this could happen to the second largest professional beach volleyball tour in the world? The tour that spawned gold medalists at every Summer Olympics since the sport’s inauguration at the Atlanta 1996 Games was now defunct.
For those of us who have attended these pro events, we recognize that there is no other sport like beach volleyball. Being able to wander through the courts, seeing the action up-close-and-personal, and then chatting with these world-class athletes are unimaginable in other sports.
Despite the scratching of the remaining five events this summer, the AVP will likely be rekindled, if not next season, then during the London 2012 Olympic year.
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Comments
The fact is beach volleyball is just not that popular. Could not fill up the smallest of venues. Take away the bikinis and women's beach volleyball has nothing to offer.
It's so sad! I went to a couple Easr Coast events this summer and last and really got hooked. They players took the time to sign kids tshirts and really appreciated the fans. What other live sporting event offers thisopportunity? Bring back the avp!
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