FAQ

The NCVF is an organization formed to support and create quality, organized indoor (and coming soon, outdoor) playing opportunities for collegiate club volleyball players across the country. It is made up of students, volleyball conference commissioners, player representatives, coaches, officials, trainers, recreation sports directors and many volunteers. The organization devotes 100% of its resources and funding towards the support of collegiate club volleyball activities. It has been organized informally for nearly two decades.

The NCVF is organized as a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit entity with an elected Board of Directors, Officers, a Student Advisory Council, a Commissioner and Representative Advisory Council and various committees and workgroups.

The NCVF's primary mission is to grow the game of volleyball for students that participate in club volleyball programs and to support affordable, accountable and quality training and playing opportunities for beginning through advanced club players. This mission encompasses not only increasing numbers of teams and participants, but acknowledging the interests and needs of each participant while respecting the highest values of sport. For example, developing NCVF Best Practices and Student Sportsmanship Standards will help encourage first-class presentation, game management, competitive administration and sportsmanship standards for tournament and match play. The NCVF will continually evaluate levels of play to assess competitive balances within each classification of play, and make needed adjustments to accommodate appropriate growth and fair competition standards. These efforts will be specific to the sport of volleyball, keeping the best interests of the students in mind.

The NCVF recognizes that the majority of funding for most student club volleyball organizations and teams come directly out of the pockets of the students. Thus, consistent and transparent efforts will be made to keep expenses to a minimum while expanding assistance to students throughout the academic year. At all times the NCVF will be receptive to the concerns of its constituents and strive to be fiscally accountable to all conference commissioners, representatives, participants, members and school administrators.

The NCVF has contracted with USA Volleyball to co-sponsor the 2010 NCVF Collegiate Club Volleyball Championship Tournament, and to support collegiate volleyball club athletes, coaches and administrators throughout the season. USA Volleyball will provide a one-event membership for all players (not otherwise registered with USAV) that are admitted into the NCVF National Collegiate Club Championship Tournament.

What is USA Volleyball? (Q2)

As recognized by the United States Olympic Committee, USA Volleyball is the national governing body for the sport of volleyball in the United States. It has regional operations that include independent volleyball organizations across the United States that sanction regional competitions for players of all ages and skill levels.

USA Volleyball sponsors the US National Men’s and Women’s indoor and sand volleyball teams and the US Sitting team. These teams all won medals at the Beijing Olympics last summer, helping to establish the USA and USA Volleyball as the undisputed world-wide leaders in the sport.

USA Volleyball supports a full range of training and playing activities. USA Volleyball membership (including the one event membership to NCVF teams playing in the NCVF National Collegiate Club Championship Tournament) provides secondary sports accident insurance as one of many benefits. It has long sponsored and operated the US Open Championship Tournament, a world-class event that has drawn thousands of US and international players of all ages and abilities to compete under one roof. USA Volleyball’s background and experience with planning and operating large tournaments and hotel venues is second to none.

For more information about our national governing body, go to www.usavolleyball.org

What is NIRSA? (Q3)

“NIRSA” stands for the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association. It is a 501(c)(6) (tax exempt, educational) organization that is devoted to many aspects of recreational sports including intramurals, sport clubs, and a variety of other recreational opportunities on most educational and military institutions in the Unites States.

What is the NSC? (Q4)

“NSC” stands for the NIRSA Services Corporation. The NIRSA web site indicates:

The NSC was formed in 1999 as gross revenues from sponsored or endorsed programs and advertising, unrelated to NIRSA’s tax-exempt educational function, became a substantial part of NIRSA’s income. If unrelated business income contributes a significant percentage of total revenue for a 501(c)(6) organization, such as NIRSA, its tax-exempt status can be jeopardized.

Gross revenue from the volleyball national championship tournament was one of NIRSA’s revenue sources prior to the formation of the NSC. The NSC operates the National Campus Championship Series (NCCS).

Will gross revenue from the NCVF be used to support any sports other than volleyball? (Q5)

No.

BEING PART OF THE NCVF

Who are the people behind the NCVF? (Q6)

Each of the organizers of the NCVF has been involved with club volleyball for over a decade. Each have played or coached club volleyball and are now engaged in professional careers ranging from law and business, to finance, accounting, sports administration, teaching, marketing and IT. They have over 100 years of combined volleyball experience in organizing teams, coaching teams, operating club conferences, organizing and running large tournaments, managing charitable organizations and working with students and school administrators. Collectively, they have volunteered mentorship and support for thousands of devoted young men and women both on and off the volleyball court. http://ncvfvolleyball.org/BOD.aspx

What are the benefits of being a part of the NCVF? (Q7)

· The NCVF will strive to offer its expertise to support quality volleyball training and playing opportunities for collegiate club players of all levels and skills. It will strive to expand opportunities for both the traditional indoor game as well as the explosion of interest in beach volleyball.

· In cooperation with USA Volleyball, the NCVF will conduct the 2010 NCVF National Championship Collegiate Club Championship Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. Gary Colberg, the Director of Competition for this event (26^th year) as well as Jose Jones, the Assistant Tournament Director and Scheduler (18^th year) and Ric Washburn, the Director of Officials (8^th year) are the same individuals who have operated this event for over two decades. The event will utilize the full resources of USA Volleyball and is the only national championship tournament endorsed by all men’s collegiate club volleyball leagues/conferences and women’s club team representatives.

· A collegiate sand tournament tour-season is being planned beginning as early as the 2010 summer months of June - August, culminating with an NCVF National Collegiate Club Sand Doubles Championship Tournament during the month of September in Southern California. Other formats of the outdoor game such as Triples and 4-person will be given consideration should student interest dictate.

· Additional significant NCVF benefits include:

1. Availability of a electronic mailing lists to help communicate and organize independent competitions such as match play, tournaments and coaching clinics;

2. The NCVF National Poll will continue to be conducted and publicized throughout the season of competitive play for Men’s Division I and II and Women’s Division I;

3. A national platform for results and other breaking news will remain in place by the NCVF for the 2010 season;

4. The NCVF will continue to conduct its annual business meeting for commissioners and representatives from throughout the country and remain open to any NCVF member wishing to attend;

5. A national NCVF Registration System will be available for all NCVF teams to register. This allows the NCVF to access team rosters, and eligibility data for all tournaments, including the National Championship;

6. A Student Advisory Board is being assembled to assist in promoting the NCVF's primary mission and to provide an active voice for students who participate in club volleyball activities;

7. Best Practices are being developed for all those who operate NCVF recognized tournaments and conferences; Best Practices will help assure quality event management and help establish standards that are adaptable to student operated events. NCVF members who adopt these practices for their events will be identified as NCVF Recognized Events.

8. Seamless player and team eligibility rules will be published for season long and national championship play. These rules will be utilized by all NCVF teams and leagues and will not deviate from region to region or from event to event. Rule changes will be announced well in advance of the competitive season.

9. A NCVF Hardship Procedure will be administered by the NCVF Compliance Committee and permit those aggrieved by eligibility or other appealable decisions to have a timely and respectful process to air their concerns and achieve resolution.

10. NCVF Member teams will receive reduced entry into the NCVF National Championship Tournament and other NCVF sponsored activities and events.

How do I access NCVF benefits and become an NCVF Member? (Q8)

The NCVF will have an online Team Registration system this fall. Each team must register online in order to fully participate in season-long benefits and receive reduced fee entry to various NCVF recognized events.

Does it cost money to be a member of the NCVF? (Q9)

Each team pays a yearly $50.00 registration fee to become an NCVF member.

How are these funds used? (Q10)

Funds are used to defray the costs of providing benefits throughout the season. Most NCVF conferences for both men and women will be including this fee as part of its annual conference dues structure, eliminating the need for teams to make a separate payment. Conferences will then be responsible to forward yearly team fees on to the NCVF. Independent teams (including the majority of women’s teams) and teams who do not have the $50 payment included in their league dues will be responsible to make payment on line when registering on the NCVF web site.

Approximately half the funds collected will be used to pay for the creation and operation of the interactive web based team registration system that will benefit all registered teams, regardless of whether the team participates in the NCVF National Collegiate Club Tournament. The other half of the funds will be used to pay for the NCVF’s year-long operating and benefit costs. The NCVF yearly budget and a report detailing all yearly revenue and expenses will be available to all NCVF members and their respective school administrators.

All registration fees collected by the NCVF will ONLY be used to support collegiate club volleyball. The $50.00 registration fee amount was voted upon and approved by over 20 men’s and women’s club commissioners and player representatives at the June 2009 NCVF Annual Meeting (Chicago).

Must I be a member of USA Volleyball in order to be part of the NCVF? (Q11)

No. However, many club teams throughout the country are enjoying the benefits of joining USA Volleyball regional organizations (http://volleyball.teamusa.org/content/index/420) and competing in adult competitions.

All teams registering to compete in the NCVF National Collegiate Club Championship Tournament will receive a one-event USA Volleyball membership. This benefit will be included in the team registration fee.

NCVF VOLLEYBALL CONFERENCE INFORMATION

What are collegiate club volleyball conferences/leagues? (Q12)

Collegiate club volleyball conferences/leagues provide a full range of year-long competition and support for college club volleyball teams. There are a number of established collegiate club leagues/conferences that have been formed covering most areas of the country. Most conferences/leagues operate in a round-robin format with teams playing different schools within designated geographic areas. In addition to season-long competition, most conferences also have a championship tournament and provide individual player awards. Conference play for NCVF recognized conferences/leagues will incorporate NCVF Best Practices. The results of conference play are used for rankings and seeding into the NCVF Collegiate Club National Championship Tournament. See http://ncvfvolleyball.org/conferences.aspx

Are leagues/conferences available for both men and women? (Q13)

Yes. Most conferences/ leagues provide organized opportunities for men’s club teams but there are a growing number of conferences/ leagues devoted for women’s play as well. Although the majority of women’s club teams do not participate in league play, there are organized women’s tournaments offered throughout the country on nearly every weekend of the school year. In addition, there are a number of “seeding” tournaments that will be used when seeding the NCVF National Collegiate Club Championship Tournament.

Does NIRSA have anything to do with the club volleyball conferences/leagues? (Q14)

No. NIRSA has not played an active role in the creation or administration of club volleyball conferences/leagues or provided any other direct assistance in connection with the competitions run by the conferences or by the teams within them. For over two decades club conferences/leagues have been created and operated by NCVF commissioners, volunteers, and other representatives.

Does the NSC have anything to do with the club volleyball conferences/leagues? (Q15)

No. NSC has not played an active role in the creation or administration of club volleyball conferences/leagues or provided any other direct assistance in connection with the competitions run by the conferences or by the teams within the conferences. For over two decades club conferences/leagues have been created and operated by NCVF commissioners, volunteers, and other representatives.

Does NIRSA or the NSC have anything to do with the administration of women’s club volleyball competitions or tournaments during the season? (Q16)

No. Neither NIRSA nor the NSC has played an active role in the creation or administration of women’s club competitions during the season leading up to the national championship tournament. For over a decade women’s competitions have been created and operated by women’s representatives and volunteers.

Who operates the conferences? (Q17)

Most conferences have been organized and are operated by volunteer commissioners who devote countless hours each year so that students can enjoy organized, quality and competitive playing opportunities. As these opportunities have grown, so too has the amount of work and resources needed to meet expanding student interests. Each year, commissioners reacquaint themselves with a new group of student leaders who are eager for their teams to enter competition and enjoy a fully competitive training and playing season. A growing number of club conference commissioners and player representatives are former club volleyball players who are now giving back to the sport by volunteering with the NCVF.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

Who has endorsed the NCVF National Collegiate Club Championship Tournament? (Q18)

http://ncvfvolleyball.org/Documents/JointPressRelease.pdf

http://ncvfvolleyball.org/TeamEndorsements_View.aspx

What will be the difference between the NCVF Championship Tournament and the NIRSA/NCCS Championship Tournament? (Q19)

· The NCVF Event will be run by volleyball people who are world leaders in the sport of volleyball; in particular USA Volleyball will bring an unprecedented level of world class expertise to the event.

· The NCVF Event will not impose limits on the growth of the tournament.

· The NCVF will work with the leagues and team representatives all year long to provide a seamless entry into the NCVF National Championship.

· No NCVF rule changes will be imposed that do not permit teams and players to plan ahead and choose teams based on announced rules.

· The NCVF will make all its revenues and expenses available to view in report form and will assure that fiscal transparency is the rule and not the exception.

· The NCVF Event will not be operated as part of a for-profit organization, corporation, or business entity.

· All net revenue from the event will be invested back into the sport of volleyball and will not be used to promote other sports or pay for other non-volleyball interests.

Who will be administering the NCVF National Collegiate Club Championship Tournament? (Q20)

Gary Colberg will be in his 26^th season as the one and only Director of Competition for the national championship. He founded the tournament and has been its tournament director every year. Mr. Colberg is on the NCVF Board and has exclusively endorsed the NCVF National Collegiate Club Championship Tournament.

José Jones will be in his 18^th season as the Assistant Tournament Director and Scheduler for the competition. During his tenure, we’ve seen tremendous growth and flexibility and an efficiently run tournament. José has exclusively endorsed the NCVF National Collegiate Club Championship Tournament.

Ric Washburn will be in his 8^th year as the Director of Officials. He will organize the full cadre of over 110 officials who will be providing officiating services once again for the Louisville event.

Anne Pufahl will continue on in her role as the women’s liaison (12^th year) for all women’s aspects of the tournament including the women’s rankings and seeding for the tournament, rule interpretations, women’s organizational meetings, and ensuring that all women’s teams have a contact to voice any concerns. She has chaired the women’s division ranking committee for the past 10 years and has taken the lead organizing and growing the women’s division.

Why are there two national championship tournaments? (Q21)

The NCVF volunteers and the NIRSA/NCCS representatives have differing philosophical approaches on a variety of issues including application of player and team eligibility rules, size and administration of various aspects of the event, the roles played by conference/league commissioners and player representatives, the distribution and use of net revenue from the event, fiscal transparency, and other significant matters.

The NCVF recognizes that the year-end national championship tournament is only one of over 25 weekends of organized play that collegiate club teams commit to beginning in September of each new academic year and that rules and protocols applicable to the national tournament should be uniformly applicable through the course of the year. Most significantly, the NCVF believes that all student funds should be used solely to support volleyball and not other sports, and that there should be fiscal transparency for all revenues and expenses from the event.

Do schools typically provide funding for club teams to participate in organized volleyball competitions, including a national championship tournament? (Q22)

No. Most club teams are responsible to raise the vast majority of funds necessary to support their year-long club activities, including attendance at a national championship tournament. Most sport club directors have always allowed their clubs to pick the National championship that best meets the competitive and financial needs. We don’t foresee a change in policy.

Can my club sports or recreational sports department determine what events and tournaments my team participates in during the upcoming season? (Q23)

Most club teams are not required to obtain pre-approval by school administrators in order to select club volleyball events, particularly since most clubs are self-sponsored. The NCVF sees no reason why that practice will change. That said, the NCVF encourages club teams to communicate with their club advisors and share information so that clubs can make knowledgeable choices that are consistent with their purposes. There are other club national championship tournaments that are sponsored by national governing bodies and are not sponsored by NIRSA (e.g. the water polo national championship is sponsored by US Water Polo, the national governing body for the sport of water polo; in addition to Rugby sponsored by USA Rugby, and Lacrosse sponsored by US Lacrosse).

NCVF PLAYER AND TEAM ELIGIBILITY

Will the NCVF change player and team eligibility rules for 2010? (Q24)

No. However based upon feedback from the NCVF Advisory Council and Student Advisory Council, clarification will be made to rules where ambiguities have been identified. The player and team eligibility rules and all clarifications will be published on the NCVF website in the coming weeks.

What do I do if I have questions regarding the player or team eligibility rules? (Q25)

Contact the NCVF Compliance Committee with any questions you may have – ncvfcompliance@ncvfvolleyball.org.

Can I appeal decisions regarding rule interpretations? How? (Q26)

Yes. There is an appeal process that will be published on the NCVF website in the near future.

NCVF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

Where is the 2010 NCVF National Collegiate Club Championship being held? (Q27)

http://ncvfvolleyball.org/nationals.aspx

How will my team register for the 2010 NCVF Collegiate Club National Championship Tournament? (Q28)

Registration information for the event will be posted on the NCVF website in the fall. It is anticipated that Member entry fees for the 2010 event will be approximately the same as in previous years. However, unlike previous years, the entry fee will include a one event membership with USA Volleyball that extends Secondary Sports Accident Insurance benefits to all registered team players participating in the event.

When will there be a tournament packet available explaining all aspects of the 2010 NCVF National Collegiate Club Championship Tournament? (Q29)

There will be a complete tournament packet published to communicate all aspects of the tournament available on the NCVF website in December. Although we will be providing periodic updates via the website as information becomes available.

Additional questions and answers will be added to the NCVF FAQ as they are received.

NCVF VOLLEYBALL

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