The Tigers are back after a 13-year hiatus.
Pacific announced Monday that it will bring back its men’s volleyball program starting in the 2027 season.
“While other universities are eliminating programs, Pacific athletics is growing and expanding,” Pacific President Christopher Callahan said in a statement. “We are thrilled to return our storied men’s volleyball program back to the Spanos Center.”
The Pacific men’s volleyball program initially started in 1992 and finished 10 of its 23 seasons ranked in the national coaches poll, including ending at No. 8 in 2003. The team, though, was eliminated at the conclusion of the 2014 season because budget cuts throughout the university and athletics department.
The program when it was disbanded was one of two NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball teams located in Northern California. It also until this year had been the only Division I school in the last 20 years to eliminate its men’s volleyball program.
Pacific as part of restarting its program will receive a $250,000 grant from USA Volleyball. In addition, the school announced it has already received annual pledges from more than 20 former players to help sustain the program.
“This is an exciting time for our sport. Bringing men’s volleyball back to Pacific marks a major milestone for Division I and for athletes striving to reach the highest levels of competition,” USA Volleyball President John Speraw said in a statement. “Restoring this program has long been a priority for First Point and USA Volleyball
The Tigers starting in 2027 will return to the MPSF. Pacific was an inaugural member of the MPSF when the league started in 1993 and remained a member of the league until it was disbanded.