University of Oregon Opened Beach Volleyball Complex
The new facility was constructed following a Title IX lawsuit regarding equipment and practice space.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Volleyball
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The University of Oregon has opened a new beach volleyball court complex at the former site of Hamilton Hall. The project follows a 2023 lawsuit in which the women's rowing and beach volleyball teams alleged Title IX discrimination.
Why it matters
Construction of the facility was motivated by student advocacy and legal action concerning facility equity. The site provides a dedicated home for the team, which previously practiced at off-campus locations like Amazon Park and Grace Community Fellowship.
The new complex measures 159 feet by 94 feet, utilizing a sand mixture that is 70% sourced from the Oregon Coast and 30% from Nebraska. The facility replaces practice arrangements that previously required the use of Amazon Park.
The players
University of Oregon
This public research university in Eugene oversees the athletic programs and the recent facility expansion projects.
Ninth Circuit Court
This federal appellate court is responsible for reviewing the status of the class-action lawsuit filed by the university teams.
The details
The university built the courts after demolishing Hamilton Hall, a move supported by the construction of Cedar Hall to manage residential capacity. The new courts aim to resolve long-standing complaints regarding unequal access to athletic facilities for women's teams.
Timeline
The teams filed a lawsuit alleging Title IX discrimination in 2023.
The Ninth Circuit Court permitted an appeal of the class-action rejection in August 2026.
The beach volleyball team conducted its inaugural practice on September 23, 2026.
A scrimmage against the University of Portland is scheduled for October 11, 2026.
The first in-season home volleyball game is slated for March 17, 2027.
Season Trajectory
This facility expansion shifts the team from off-campus practice sites to a dedicated home base, significantly altering its competitive preparation. It serves as a major milestone for the program's development as it moves toward the 2027 home season schedule.
The new complex provides the team with a permanent home, eliminating the need to secure practice time at public locations like Amazon Park. The move establishes a fixed location for upcoming spring 2027 home games, creating a stable environment for local competition schedules.
The takeaway
The development demonstrates how legal pressure can accelerate infrastructure changes for collegiate sports programs. The university's decision to use a mix of local and imported sand highlights an effort to balance functional drainage requirements with regional identity.
What happens next
The beach volleyball team will host a scrimmage against the University of Portland on Oct. 11, 2026, followed by regular season home games on March 17, April 9, and April 10, 2027.
Further reading
Find more coverage on local athletics at Volleyball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Emerald.
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