Photo by: Vanguard Athletics
The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) has announced the new memberships of Menlo College and Vanguard University in the conference for men's volleyball beginning with the 2025 season. On July 13, 2023, Menlo and Vanguard announced their acceptances on the NCAA Division-II level. The Oaks and Lions are immediately beginning a three-year reclassification period from NAIA competition. Both programs will play their final seasons in the NAIA’s Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) in 2023-24. Menlo and Vanguard’s final year of provisional NCAA membership will be 2025-26, after which they will be fully integrated into Division-II. Menlo, located in Atherton, California, and Vanguard, located in Costa Mesa, California, will compete in the MPSF for the first time in any sport.
“Vanguard University is blessed to become a member of one of the most successful men’s volleyball conferences in the country, with institutions committed to academic and athletic excellence,” said Athletic Director Jeff Bussell. “Competing in the MPSF will enhance the student-athlete experience as we continue to raise the profile of our program and university. Our student-athletes will compete at the highest level and in some of the best game environments in the country.” Menlo Vice President of Athletics, Keith Spataro, was also quoted as saying: “We are thrilled to have found a home for our men’s volleyball program as we transition to the ranks of the NCAA. Given the success of our program through the years, it was critical they had a home that would allow them to compete at the highest level. We are thankful for all those in the MPSF who have made the decision to welcome us into such a prestigious conference. We look forward to competing against some of the best teams in the country and know we will be a formidable opponent for them in the near future.”
Vanguard won 20 matches in 2023, capped off with an NAIA National Championship in just the program’s fourth year of intercollegiate men’s volleyball. Brian Rofer enters his second season as head coach of the Lions in 2024, earning a national title in his debut. Rofer, the second head coach in Vanguard history, is no stranger to the MPSF or national championships. He spent 22 years as the top men's volleyball assistant at UCLA under legendary Head Coach Al Scates, during which time the Bruins won six NCAA titles.
“To become a member of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, the most storied conference in the history of men’s collegiate volleyball, is a special moment for our Vanguard University Men’s Volleyball program,” Rofer said. “Without the support of our University President Dr. Michael J. Beals, the vision of our Athletic Director Jeff Bussell, and the hard work and dedication of his staff, our volleyball program would have never been blessed with such an incredible opportunity. This is so exciting for our athletes and for the growth of NCAA Men’s Volleyball.”
Menlo began playing intercollegiate men’s volleyball in 2018. Todd Hollenbeck enters his fifth season in 2024 (62-28, .689), and guided the squad to 16 wins and an NAIA Tournament appearance last year. The Oaks ended the season ranked 6th in the nation with victories over six nationally-ranked opponents. Menlo also produced back-to-back 17-win seasons in each of its prior two years of competition. Hollenbeck, the second head coach in Menlo history, previously coached in the MPSF as an assistant at USC (2016-18).
“We are truly honored and excited to be a part of one of the greatest men's volleyball conferences in the country,” Hollenbeck expressed. “The MPSF is on the forefront of sport and we can't wait to compete against the best for a Division-I National Championship.”
Since the arrival of third-year MPSF Executive Director Foti Mellis, Menlo and Vanguard mark the 16th and 17th athletic programs added to the 11-sport conference, to go along with the 2021 additions of fencing and artistic swimming as the MPSF’s two newest sports.
“We are thrilled to welcome Menlo and Vanguard to the MPSF,” said Mellis. “The conference is gaining two strong programs in the Oaks and Lions that have had incredible success in the NAIA. As they transition to NCAA status and join the top men’s volleyball conference in the country, we look forward to watching them take their next strides and challenge the teams in the MPSF and across the country. I look forward to working with their athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes.”
Menlo and Vanguard are the 38th and 39th member institutions and 70th and 71st teams across the entire MPSF. More information on Menlo Athletics can be found on
https://menloathletics.com and on social media @MenloAthletics. More information on Vanguard Athletics can be found on
https://vanguardlions.com. MPSF Men’s Volleyball information can be found on
https://mpsports.org and on social media @MPSFSports. The MPSF has captured 17 NCAA Championships in men’s volleyball since its inaugural season of 1993, including UCLA’s title this past season.
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