Girls volleyball state tournament moved to The Broadmoor World Arena

The 2020-21 Colorado high school girls volleyball state championships will now be held at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs and have been moved on the calendar to May 12-13.

The tournament was originally scheduled for May 10-11 at NORCO Volleyball Facility in Loveland. With certain county health departments loosening restrictions and in the interest of accommodating as many spectators as possible, it became apparent that moving the tournament to a different site was the best option.

Bethany Brookens, the CHSAA assistant commissioner who administers volleyball, said she and her staff investigated several other options and The Broadmoor World Arena felt like the ideal fit.

“We are incredibly grateful to the World Arena and the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation for their partnership allowing the CHSAA to host our state volleyball championships in Colorado Springs,” Brookens said. “They have been incredible to work with – especially this pandemic year – and we appreciate their support and dedication in valuing our student-participants, schools, coaches, and communities. This is a true team effort across the city of Colorado Springs.

“Thank you to the many Colorado Springs high schools and administrators who will help run this event, and a huge thank you to the city of Colorado Springs, El Paso County Public Health, and many more wonderful supporters who have allowed and welcomed our schools with the opportunity to have a state-wide culminating volleyball championship.”

Because the Broadmoor World Arena, which recently hosted the basketball and spirit state championships, is currently being used as a COVID-19 vaccine site so the only available dates for the state tournament were May 12-13. El Paso County is actively working on spectator variances for a number of spectators, and Brookens said the association is optimistic about the potential total.

“As a community, we’re grateful for the opportunity to welcome athletes and their families from across the state to Colorado Springs,” said Doug Martin, Acting CEO of the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation. “We know they’ll enjoy their time here and encourage them to visit the many attractions in the area including the spectacular U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum.”

Official attendance numbers and a specific tournament format will be announced at a later date. All competitors, coaches, officials, staff and spectators will be required to comply with local public health guidelines at all times.

Despite the decision to move the state championships, Brookens had only good things to say about her experience working with the NORCO and the Loveland community.

“The city of Loveland has been amazing to work with,” Brookens said. “A huge thanks to the business owners of Loveland, in particular Chris Bierdeman, with Visit Loveland who helped coordinate the hotels, and the restaurants who were going to support the tournament staff and officials at the state tournament.

“The largest thanks truly go to NORCO Volleyball Club and their beautiful facility. Their club director, Cathy Mahaffey, has been incredibly gracious, giving, and supportive, and we are so thankful for them. We look forward to hosting future events in Loveland.”