Lee Bennett, who identified himself as an advocate for boys volleyball, addressed the District 211 Board of Education during the Aug. 14 public-comment period and asked the board to expand volleyball programs in the district to better match student interest.

Bennett argued volleyball is a lower-cost sport that can accommodate more players in the same gym space and teaches “dealing with failure more quickly,” which he said provides developmental benefits. He contrasted the attention and facility demands of basketball with volleyball, noted regional differences in popularity (citing his comparisons between district groupings), and asked the district to expand boys volleyball offerings so the sport can grow alongside girls' programs.

Bennett said high-school and collegiate markets shape school-sport attention and that volleyball programs nationally draw revenue in some collegiate settings. He concluded by urging the district to expand volleyball opportunities to align with student interest and to support both boys and girls who choose the sport.

The board did not respond during public comment but the speaker was invited to leave contact information if he wanted a district response.