The AVCA is bringing 32 student-athletes to its 2024 Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, to serve as demonstrators for on-court educational sessions during the event.

Now in its fourth year, the successful scholarship program has included more than 100 players. In addition to responsibilities during on-court sessions, the group will be able to attend other educational seminars—many of which focus on professional and personal development for coaches—and learn more about the profession by networking with the hundreds of coaches attending the Convention. One of the factors in the selection of the demonstrators was their interest in pursuing a coaching career.

The 2024 demonstrators are a diverse group that includes 25 indoor players and seven beach players. They play for 26 different schools in 20 states and represent a good mix of positions and classes. The demonstrators also come from many levels of collegiate competition, as there are 17 Division I players, seven Division II players, and eight Division III players. In addition to serving as a demonstrator, LSU setter Bailey Ortega will also be on site to coordinate the groups’ activities.

The Demonstrator Scholarship program is a byproduct of the NIL landscape. Until 2021, it would not have been possible to pay to bring student-athletes to the event, but now the rules allow the AVCA to offer scholarships that cover event registration and hotel costs so the 32 players can attend the AVCA Convention.

This year’s AVCA Convention, to be held in Louisville Dec. 18-22, will feature over 140 educational sessions with thousands of volleyball coaches expected to be in attendance.