The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association ( MIVA ) is a college athletic conference whose member schools compete in men's volleyball . The conference footprint is centered in the Midwestern United States , stretching from Missouri in the west to Ohio in the east, and also extends into North Carolina and will expand into Kentucky in the spring 2026 season. Many of the conference's schools also participate in the similarly named Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association in men's volleyball at the club level.
62-704: The MIVA Tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship , which now consists of eight teams playing in a single-elimination format to determine the national champion. The two other pre-2017 major volleyball conferences, the EIVA ( Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association ) and the MPSF ( Mountain Pacific Sports Federation ), also send their league tournament champions to
124-513: A Division I championship can be organized. However, a separate D-I rule provision states that existing National Collegiate or D-I championships in Olympic sports are exempt from minimum sponsorship requirements. †Vacated due to NCAA violations Source: as of end of 2024 Tournament 31 teams have appeared in the NCAA tournament in at least one year starting with 1970, when
186-407: A Division I championship can be organized. However, a separate D-I rule provision states that existing National Collegiate or D-I championships in Olympic sports are exempt from minimum sponsorship requirements. †Vacated due to NCAA violations Source: as of end of 2024 Tournament 31 teams have appeared in the NCAA tournament in at least one year starting with 1970, when
248-453: A National Collegiate independent, closed entirely. Thirteen additional schools, most of them either current Division II members or transitioning to D-II, have either added National Collegiate programs for the 2025 season or will do so in the near future. Division II does not have a separate national championship, although a D-II rule change that took effect in 2024–25 will allow that division to launch its own men's volleyball championship in
310-453: A National Collegiate independent, closed entirely. Thirteen additional schools, most of them either current Division II members or transitioning to D-II, have either added National Collegiate programs for the 2025 season or will do so in the near future. Division II does not have a separate national championship, although a D-II rule change that took effect in 2024–25 will allow that division to launch its own men's volleyball championship in
372-577: A scholarship sport, having launched its men's volleyball league in the 2012 season. The 2021 season was to have been the first for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), with six men's volleyball members, but the conference chose not to compete in that season due to COVID-19 issues. CC has had an automatic berth in the National Collegiate championship since the 2014 season, and
434-570: A separate predetermined site, but it was decided instead to have the entire championship tournament at one site. With the Big West Conference adding men's volleyball for the 2018 season and qualifying for an automatic tournament berth, the championship expanded to seven teams. The bottom two tournament seeds contested a "play-in" match; from that point, the tournament format was identical to the one used from 2014 to 2017. The championship expanded to eight teams for 2024, coinciding with
496-499: A separate predetermined site, but it was decided instead to have the entire championship tournament at one site. With the Big West Conference adding men's volleyball for the 2018 season and qualifying for an automatic tournament berth, the championship expanded to seven teams. The bottom two tournament seeds contested a "play-in" match; from that point, the tournament format was identical to the one used from 2014 to 2017. The championship expanded to eight teams for 2024, coinciding with
558-544: Is truncated. The National Collegiate Championship remains as the NCAA's top-level championship, but Division III members now have their own championship event. With the introduction of an official Division III championship, schools in that division are no longer eligible for the National Collegiate Championship. The last exception was Rutgers–Newark, whose men's volleyball program had been a grandfathered scholarship program, and could compete for
620-506: The Big West Conference , the first Division I all-sports conference ever to sponsor men's volleyball. The Northeast Conference (NEC) became the second D-I all-sports conference to sponsor men's volleyball in the 2023 season. As of the 2024 season, three Division II conferences sponsor men's volleyball at the National Collegiate level. Conference Carolinas (CC) was the first NCAA conference ever to sponsor men's volleyball as
682-544: The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA), and Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA). In the 2018 season, the ranks of "major" conferences expanded to include the Big West Conference , the first Division I all-sports conference ever to sponsor men's volleyball. The Northeast Conference (NEC) became the second D-I all-sports conference to sponsor men's volleyball in
SECTION 10
#1732781144407744-612: The NCAA national collegiate men's volleyball championship , is an annual competition that determines the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship in American college men's volleyball . It had been the only NCAA championship in the sport from 1970 until 2012, when the NCAA launched a Division III championship . Unlike most NCAA sports, men's volleyball uses a modified version of
806-611: The National Collegiate championship format, which means Division I and Division II teams compete against each other in the same tournament. In the past, schools from the Pacific Coast region have dominated this sport, in particular UCLA with coach Al Scates leading the program to 19 NCAA titles (more than any other coach). Before the 2011–12 school year (2012 championship), men's volleyball did not have an official divisional structure; even now, that structure
868-462: The 2014 championship, the field expanded to six teams, with the two new teams being the champion of Conference Carolinas and one extra at-large entry. The new format featured two quarterfinal matches involving the four lowest-seeded teams in the field, with the winners joining the two top seeds in the semifinals. Originally, the quarterfinals were to be played at campus sites, with the Final Four at
930-403: The 2014 championship, the field expanded to six teams, with the two new teams being the champion of Conference Carolinas and one extra at-large entry. The new format featured two quarterfinal matches involving the four lowest-seeded teams in the field, with the winners joining the two top seeds in the semifinals. Originally, the quarterfinals were to be played at campus sites, with the Final Four at
992-502: The 2018 men's volleyball season. Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), a joint venture between the Indiana University and Purdue University systems, was dissolved at the end of the 2017–18 school year. IPFW's academic programs in health sciences now operate as Indiana University Fort Wayne , and all other academic programs transferred to Purdue as Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW). The athletic program
1054-507: The 2023 season with six full conference members and two D-II members as single-sport associates. The Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) and Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) are volleyball-specific conferences, while the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) is a multi-sport conference of schools whose primary conferences do not sponsor its ten sports. In addition to
1116-416: The 2023 season with six full conference members and two D-II members as single-sport associates. The Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) and Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) are volleyball-specific conferences, while the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) is a multi-sport conference of schools whose primary conferences do not sponsor its ten sports. In addition to
1178-454: The 2023 season. As of the 2024 season, three Division II conferences sponsor men's volleyball at the National Collegiate level. Conference Carolinas (CC) was the first NCAA conference ever to sponsor men's volleyball as a scholarship sport, having launched its men's volleyball league in the 2012 season. The 2021 season was to have been the first for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), with six men's volleyball members, but
1240-604: The 2024 season, but started play with only four members, two short of the number needed to eventually receive an automatic berth. Further expansion is likely in the future. In addition to the impending NEC automatic bid, the Great Lakes Valley Conference will add the sport in the 2026 season with seven members (one from the MIVA, five independents, and one new program), putting it in position for an automatic bid in 2028. The MIVA will remain at nine members with
1302-470: The 2024 season, but started play with only four members, two short of the number needed to eventually receive an automatic berth. Further expansion is likely in the future. In addition to the impending NEC automatic bid, the Great Lakes Valley Conference will add the sport in the 2026 season with seven members (one from the MIVA, five independents, and one new program), putting it in position for an automatic bid in 2028. The MIVA will remain at nine members with
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#17327811444071364-470: The 29 D-I schools, 33 Division II schools competed in D-I volleyball during the 2024 season: Four Division II schools launched National Collegiate men's volleyball programs for the 2024 season. Two schools that played National Collegiate men's volleyball in 2023 did not return for 2024. Full NEC member St. Francis Brooklyn shut down its entire athletic program, and Alderson Broaddus, a D-II member that played as
1426-421: The 29 D-I schools, 33 Division II schools competed in D-I volleyball during the 2024 season: Four Division II schools launched National Collegiate men's volleyball programs for the 2024 season. Two schools that played National Collegiate men's volleyball in 2023 did not return for 2024. Full NEC member St. Francis Brooklyn shut down its entire athletic program, and Alderson Broaddus, a D-II member that played as
1488-637: The Big West Conference added the sport for the 2018 season. The Big West became the first NCAA men's volleyball league to consist entirely of D-I members when UC San Diego, which was one of the six charter members of Big West men's volleyball, began a transition to D-I upon joining the Big West full-time in July 2020. Of the other four major conferences, the only all-sports league is the Northeast Conference (NEC), which started men's volleyball play in
1550-458: The Big West Conference added the sport for the 2018 season. The Big West became the first NCAA men's volleyball league to consist entirely of D-I members when UC San Diego, which was one of the six charter members of Big West men's volleyball, began a transition to D-I upon joining the Big West full-time in July 2020. Of the other four major conferences, the only all-sports league is the Northeast Conference (NEC), which started men's volleyball play in
1612-469: The Big West received an automatic berth upon the creation of its men's volleyball league. The SIAC received its first automatic berth in the 2024 season. With the NEC having lost three of its original eight men's volleyball members, it will not receive its first automatic bid until 2028, two years after its men's volleyball membership returns to seven. The East Coast Conference began sponsoring men's volleyball in
1674-414: The Big West. The NEC initially announced that it would launch its men's volleyball league in the 2023 season with five full D-I members and transitional D-I member Merrimack, but later announced that it would add Daemen and D'Youville, D-II members that had previously played as National Collegiate independents, as associate members effective with its first season in 2023. Through the 2013 tournament, each of
1736-414: The Big West. The NEC initially announced that it would launch its men's volleyball league in the 2023 season with five full D-I members and transitional D-I member Merrimack, but later announced that it would add Daemen and D'Youville, D-II members that had previously played as National Collegiate independents, as associate members effective with its first season in 2023. Through the 2013 tournament, each of
1798-636: The National Collegiate Championship through 2014. Rutgers–Newark completed a transition to Division III men's volleyball at the end of that season, and joined the D-III Continental Volleyball Conference effective with the 2015 season. There are three general regions for men's volleyball: "West", "Midwest", and "East". As of the current 2024 NCAA men's volleyball season, five "major conferences", defined here as leagues that include full members of Division I, represent these regions. The three "traditional" major conferences are
1860-508: The National Collegiate Championship. The last exception was Rutgers–Newark, whose men's volleyball program had been a grandfathered scholarship program, and could compete for the National Collegiate Championship through 2014. Rutgers–Newark completed a transition to Division III men's volleyball at the end of that season, and joined the D-III Continental Volleyball Conference effective with the 2015 season. There are three general regions for men's volleyball: "West", "Midwest", and "East". As of
1922-400: The National Collegiate championship; Lewis also won the championship tournament, but had their victory vacated due to NCAA rules violations. Only seven non-California universities have participated in the National Collegiate championship match (Loyola, BYU, Penn State, Ohio State, IPFW , Hawaii, and Lewis ), although other universities such as Princeton and Ball State have participated in
Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association - Misplaced Pages Continue
1984-400: The National Collegiate championship; Lewis also won the championship tournament, but had their victory vacated due to NCAA rules violations. Only seven non-California universities have participated in the National Collegiate championship match (Loyola, BYU, Penn State, Ohio State, IPFW , Hawaii, and Lewis ), although other universities such as Princeton and Ball State have participated in
2046-450: The SIAC receiving an automatic bid for the first time. All teams will play at a single site in a pure knockout format. From 1986 to 2021, the number of Division I schools sponsoring men's volleyball fluctuated between 20 and 24 teams. Since that time, the number of such teams has moderately increased, with 26 in 2022 and 29 in each season from 2023 to 2025, with three more D-I schools adding
2108-399: The SIAC receiving an automatic bid for the first time. All teams will play at a single site in a pure knockout format. From 1986 to 2021, the number of Division I schools sponsoring men's volleyball fluctuated between 20 and 24 teams. Since that time, the number of such teams has moderately increased, with 26 in 2022 and 29 in each season from 2023 to 2025, with three more D-I schools adding
2170-572: The addition of Northern Kentucky for the 2026 season. Members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), a separate athletics governing body whose members are primarily smaller institutions, regularly play matches against NCAA teams. Because of the historic lack of an official divisional structure in men's volleyball, four of the five major conferences have members that normally compete in Division II. Before
2232-441: The addition of Northern Kentucky for the 2026 season. Members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), a separate athletics governing body whose members are primarily smaller institutions, regularly play matches against NCAA teams. Because of the historic lack of an official divisional structure in men's volleyball, four of the five major conferences have members that normally compete in Division II. Before
2294-406: The arrival of Northern Kentucky University , which will launch a varsity men's volleyball program in the 2026 season. Three MIVA teams have won the NCAA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship , although only two are officially recognized by the NCAA. Lewis' 2003 title was later vacated by the school due to player eligibility issues, and the NCAA no longer recognizes the title. Loyola won
2356-594: The conference chose not to compete in that season due to COVID-19 issues. CC has had an automatic berth in the National Collegiate championship since the 2014 season, and the Big West received an automatic berth upon the creation of its men's volleyball league. The SIAC received its first automatic berth in the 2024 season. With the NEC having lost three of its original eight men's volleyball members, it will not receive its first automatic bid until 2028, two years after its men's volleyball membership returns to seven. The East Coast Conference began sponsoring men's volleyball in
2418-552: The conference was formed in February 1961. The most recent change in MIVA membership was the arrival of Queens in 2023. Before that, the most recent change was the 2017 departure of Grand Canyon for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation . The next changes will be the departure of full GLVC member Quincy for that conference's new men's volleyball league and the arrival of Northern Kentucky, both in 2025–26. One current MIVA member changed its institutional and athletic identity after
2480-569: The creation of the Division III national championship, the EIVA had several Division III members, but all of those schools now compete in D-III men's volleyball. The Big West became the first men's volleyball conference to consist entirely of D-I members in the 2021 season; this immediately followed UC San Diego, previously a Big West affiliate in men's volleyball (as well as women's water polo), starting its transition to Division I and fully joining
2542-456: The creation of the Division III national championship, the EIVA had several Division III members, but all of those schools now compete in D-III men's volleyball. The Big West became the first men's volleyball conference to consist entirely of D-I members in the 2021 season; this immediately followed UC San Diego, previously a Big West affiliate in men's volleyball (as well as women's water polo), starting its transition to Division I and fully joining
Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association - Misplaced Pages Continue
2604-451: The current 2024 NCAA men's volleyball season, five "major conferences", defined here as leagues that include full members of Division I, represent these regions. The three "traditional" major conferences are the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA), and Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA). In the 2018 season, the ranks of "major" conferences expanded to include
2666-583: The efforts of Jim Coleman of Wittenberg College and Don Shondell of Ball State University. The league name was later changed to the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA). Over the years, more than 40 schools from Divisions I, II, and III, as well as a couple of junior colleges, have participated as members of the MIVA. The current membership is made up of six D-I (including two charter members) and three D-II institutions, with Lindenwood University and
2728-599: The final four. Only five finals have involved two non-California schools: the 2003 final, when Lewis defeated BYU but had its win vacated; the 2015 final, in which Loyola defeated Lewis; the 2016 and 2017 finals, when Ohio State defeated BYU; and the 2021 final, when Hawaii defeated BYU. Hawaii, UCLA, Southern California, Penn State, Stanford, and Long Beach State are the only schools in Division I to have won an NCAA national championship in both men and women's volleyball. In addition, Stanford (1996–97) and Penn State (2007–08) are
2790-543: The final four. Only five finals have involved two non-California schools: the 2003 final, when Lewis defeated BYU but had its win vacated; the 2015 final, in which Loyola defeated Lewis; the 2016 and 2017 finals, when Ohio State defeated BYU; and the 2021 final, when Hawaii defeated BYU. Hawaii, UCLA, Southern California, Penn State, Stanford, and Long Beach State are the only schools in Division I to have won an NCAA national championship in both men and women's volleyball. In addition, Stanford (1996–97) and Penn State (2007–08) are
2852-430: The national championship in both 2014 and 2015, and Ohio State won the title in 2011, 2016, and 2017. The MIVA comprises nine teams from the NCAA 's Division I and Division II . The "Joined" column reflects the calendar year in which a school joined the MIVA. Since NCAA men's volleyball is currently a spring sport, the calendar year of entry precedes the first season of competition, except for schools that joined when
2914-429: The near future should it so desire. Before 2024–25, a D-II championship in a men's sport could not be sponsored unless at least 50 schools in that division sponsored a sport; that number has now been reduced to 35. Should a D-II championship be established, Division I would not have a sufficient number of teams to sponsor its own national championship. Currently, a men's sport must be sponsored by at least 50 schools before
2976-429: The near future should it so desire. Before 2024–25, a D-II championship in a men's sport could not be sponsored unless at least 50 schools in that division sponsored a sport; that number has now been reduced to 35. Should a D-II championship be established, Division I would not have a sufficient number of teams to sponsor its own national championship. Currently, a men's sport must be sponsored by at least 50 schools before
3038-443: The newest member, 2023 arrival Queens University of Charlotte , having started transitions from D-II to D-I in July 2022. After the 2025 season, Quincy will leave for the new men's volleyball league of its primary home of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). Lewis and McKendree, despite being full GLVC members, were not named as part of the inaugural GLVC men's volleyball lineup. The MIVA membership will remain at 9 teams with
3100-463: The only NCAA championship in the sport from 1970 until 2012, when the NCAA launched a Division III championship . Unlike most NCAA sports, men's volleyball uses a modified version of the National Collegiate championship format, which means Division I and Division II teams compete against each other in the same tournament. In the past, schools from the Pacific Coast region have dominated this sport, in particular UCLA with coach Al Scates leading
3162-446: The only universities whose men and women's volleyball programs won the national championship in the same academic year. NCAA men%27s volleyball tournament The NCAA men's volleyball tournament , officially titled the NCAA national collegiate men's volleyball championship , is an annual competition that determines the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship in American college men's volleyball . It had been
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#17327811444073224-480: The program to 19 NCAA titles (more than any other coach). Before the 2011–12 school year (2012 championship), men's volleyball did not have an official divisional structure; even now, that structure is truncated. The National Collegiate Championship remains as the NCAA's top-level championship, but Division III members now have their own championship event. With the introduction of an official Division III championship, schools in that division are no longer eligible for
3286-472: The sport in 2026. The three newest such schools all started play as D-I members in the 2023 season, during which all were transitioning from D-II to D-I. Merrimack, which started its D-I transition in 2020, added a new team in the 2023 season. The other two, Lindenwood and Queens (NC), already sponsored the sport at the National Collegiate level, and started transitions from D-II to D-I in July 2022. No traditional D-I conferences sponsored men's volleyball until
3348-472: The sport in 2026. The three newest such schools all started play as D-I members in the 2023 season, during which all were transitioning from D-II to D-I. Merrimack, which started its D-I transition in 2020, added a new team in the 2023 season. The other two, Lindenwood and Queens (NC), already sponsored the sport at the National Collegiate level, and started transitions from D-II to D-I in July 2022. No traditional D-I conferences sponsored men's volleyball until
3410-411: The three major conferences of that day (MPSF, MIVA and EIVA) received an automatic bid to the Final Four, with one additional at-large bid. The remaining bid was an at-large bid that could be awarded to any team in Division I or II (including Rutgers–Newark). Generally, the best team not receiving an automatic bid (usually from one of the three major conferences) received the at-large bid. Beginning with
3472-411: The three major conferences of that day (MPSF, MIVA and EIVA) received an automatic bid to the Final Four, with one additional at-large bid. The remaining bid was an at-large bid that could be awarded to any team in Division I or II (including Rutgers–Newark). Generally, the best team not receiving an automatic bid (usually from one of the three major conferences) received the at-large bid. Beginning with
3534-516: The tournament expanded to include the champion of the Division II Conference Carolinas and a second at-large team. The tournament expanded to seven teams for 2018 with the addition of the Big West Conference champion, and eight in 2024 with the addition of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion. NCAA men%27s volleyball tournament The NCAA men's volleyball tournament , officially titled
3596-428: The tournament shifted to its current bracket format. The results for all years are shown in this table below. The code in each cell represents how far the team made it in the respective tournament: Historically, California -based universities have dominated the men's volleyball national championship; Loyola Chicago , Penn State , Ohio State, BYU , and Hawaii are the only non-California universities to have won
3658-428: The tournament shifted to its current bracket format. The results for all years are shown in this table below. The code in each cell represents how far the team made it in the respective tournament: Historically, California -based universities have dominated the men's volleyball national championship; Loyola Chicago , Penn State , Ohio State, BYU , and Hawaii are the only non-California universities to have won
3720-774: The tournament, as do Conference Carolinas (since the 2014 season), the Big West Conference (since the 2018 season forward), and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (from the 2024 season). On February 4, 1961 the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Conference, the nation's first men's college volleyball league, was started in Lansing, Michigan by representatives of Ball State University, Detroit Institute of Technology, Earlham College, George Williams College, Lansing College, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, and Wittenberg College. The league came about largely through
3782-572: Was an MIVA member. The NCAA's top men's volleyball championship is open to schools in Divisions I and II, with scholarship limits identical for members of each division. Therefore, this table makes no distinction between NCAA Division I and Division II conferences. Until 2014, the NCAA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship was a Final Four only tournament with the champions of three conferences ( EIVA , MIVA, and MPSF ) receiving automatic bids and one team getting an at-large bid. In 2014,
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#17327811444073844-647: Was inherited solely by PFW. Shortly before the split took effect, PFW announced that the athletic program, previously known as the Fort Wayne Mastodons, would become the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons. Affiliations reflect those for men's volleyball, and are current for the upcoming 2025 NCAA men's volleyball season (2024–25 school year). Institutional names and nicknames reflect those in current (or, for defunct institutions, most recent) use, not necessarily those used while each school
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