| 4/9/2025 | No. 15 Women’s Beach Volleyball BOCA RATON, Fla. – With Florida Atlantic beach volleyball set to host the 2025 Capri Classic on campus this weekend, the Sandy Owls are debuting their renovated and expanded FAU Beach Volleyball complex for the first time in competition. The off-season project, which was completed in September, expanded the “Beach Burrow” from three courts to five. Funding for the project came through a $5 million gift from Michelle and Michael Hagerty in 2022 that renamed the Owls’ athletics footprint as the Hagerty Family Athletics Village. Additional funding for the expansion came through a generous gift from the Lawlor Family.”Our beach volleyball team has sustained a championship-level of success, and this expansion furthers our commitment to the program,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White. “We are so grateful for the contribution from the Lawlor Family and for the continued generosity shown by Michelle and Michael Hagerty. The Hagerty Family has long championed our mission of creating a brighter future for FAU through student-athlete success and nearly all 450 of our student-athletes have benefitted in some way from their incredibly generous support.” Construction of the court expansion began following the 2024 season, increasing the Sandy Owls’ home from three to five courts. This project provides the team with additional courts for training purposes, while also allowing flexibility with home tournament scheduling for additional teams to foster a more competitive field. “This is a tremendous project,” said Head Coach Steve Grotowski. “My late wife Capri and I began discussing an expansion to the Beach Burrow in 2020, so to see it happen has been amazing. The expanded facility allows us to attract deeper and more expansive home tournaments, while providing our student-athletes the opportunity to feel the electricity of their fans. On behalf of our team, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Hagerty Family and the Lawlor Family for their generosity. We can’t wait for everyone to come out and watch us play!” This weekend’s Capri Classic was named in honor of Steve’s late wife, Capri, who served as the beach volleyball head coach from 2014 until her passing from cancer in 2022. The Capri Classic is an annual tournament to honor her wishes and celebrate her life and legacy. This weekend’s Capri Classic has the No. 15 Sandy Owls battling UTEP on Friday at 12 p.m., Florida Gulf Coast on Friday at 4 p.m., and South Florida on Saturday at 9 a.m. |
