Five “Alternate” Locations We’d Love To See Wisconsin Volleyball

We have seen a little bit of everything the past couple weeks when it comes to facilities and college volleyball.  There was Spike Under The Lights held at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys with Florida, Nebraska, Penn State, and SMU.  This past weekend was Penn State, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Missouri playing at Wrigley Field.  This drew over 40,000 fans in one of the most historic venues in the world when it comes to sports.  However, the Midwest humidity had the final say providing unsafe conditions with an extremely slippery court.  What could be some great alternate locations for Wisconsin high school volleyball? 

*Excuse the AI 

Take It To Titletown

Green Bay

Ideally - Lambeau Field 

Secondary - Titletown Park 

Weather Plan - Resch Expo Center

Chicago has Wrigley, we have Lambeau.  After this weekend's Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame, Lambeau is the ideal place for any big event.  When I saw the Wrigley match be announced, I thought of Wisconsin coming up to Green Bay, having Green Bay play and taking it to Lambeau.  After the weather situation at Wrigley, I can't see it happening.  An alternate location would be the turf at Titletown Park across from Lambeau to the West which hosts multiple events all year long.  They have a 100 yard football field with lights that would be the ideal location.  This would be easily accessible for athletes and families, a free flowing style of attendance.  The turf has hosted events like the NFL Draft, winter sports, and even high school football events that has included girls flag football.  If all else fails and weather has other plans, the Resch Expo Center and the Resch Arena is down the road which is also the home of the Wisconsin girls state tournament.  

The La Crosse Center

La Crosse

The La Crosse Center has been the host to plenty of high school events. They hosted divisions of the state basketball tournament in 2021, state dance, and state wrestling.  La Crosse is also the host for state track.  Imagine the fall colors in La Crosse with a little bit of volleyball to go with it.  I would love to see La Crosse be a full day event space for sectional finals.  I know sectional finals tend to get spread out across the state. Pick a location, play in an arena, make it a full experience for the athletes and the fans. 

St. Croix Boat Cruise

Hudson

We're going from La Crosse up to Hudson where we can can hop on a river boat cruise that can take us along the Mississippi River.  There are also the St. Croix Boat Cruises, which this area is a volleyball hotbed.  Hudson and River Falls have been two programs that are leading the way among the large schools and have developed a fun rivalry in the Big Rivers Conference.  St. Croix Falls is another school in the area is off to a fast start sitting at 11-2

The Rain Plan - UW-River Falls

The Don Page Arena at UW-River Falls is gorgeous where I think this facility could be another amazing neutral site when it comes to high school sports.  The UW system in Wisconsin is pretty special.  The facilities at these schools are next level and would be a great place to host a lot of volleyball. 

The Capitol Square

Madison 

We're going to bring it to the state capitol.  This is iconic in our state and putting a volleyball court right in the middle of so much energy would be a lot of fun.  With the Badger Volleyball program down the road, we could have a high school/college double header.  Maybe include a Saturday's Farmers Market as well?  Instead of a concession stand at a tournament, just grab something quick at the market.  

The rain plan would be to head to the Fieldhouse which is home to Wisconsin Volleyball, one of the top college volleyball venues in the country. 

Am Fam Classic - American Family Field, Home of the Brewers

Milwaukee

I think we would have plenty of teams looking to play at this event.  Milwaukee is home to plenty of high level high school volleyball teams and is home to plenty of Badger Region events!  Fiserv Forum hosted the AVCA First Serve to open the college season featuring Wisconsin and Marquette.  I think Milwaukee could make a great case to host the final four with how the Baird Convention Center and Fiserv would work great together for the AVCA Convention and Final Four matchups.  As for this American Family Field volleyball game, I think we could combine plenty of levels from high school, D3, D2, to D1.  And if we have weather, just close the roof and we can play ball!