Mission Statement

To provide the equal opportunity for girls¾from diverse, lower socioeconomic environments¾to train and compete at USA Volleyball's Junior Olympic level; to encourage teamwork, health, positive life skills, and academic achievement; to establish member clubs throughout the nation that are community-based and self-sustaining.

                                                   Philosophy

The Starlings believe in supporting the participation of girls in volleyball because:

·        Girls who participate in sports are 92% less likely to get involved with drugs.

·        Girls who participate in sports are 80% less likely to have an unwanted pregnancy.

·        Girls who participate in sports are three times more likely to graduate from high school.

·        Girls who participate in sports have a higher level of self esteem. 

The sport of volleyball is ideal for the inner cities and rural areas of America—inexpensive, non-contact, and inherently a social game requiring communication and cooperation.  Girls playing volleyball in the United States outnumber boys, 12 to 1.  It is truly the “girl’s game” of America. 

Starlings Volleyball Clubs excludes no girl due to financial hardship.  While junior club volleyball dues around the nation are often exclusionary, Starlings club dues are dramatically minimized and some girls are provided work opportunities in exchange for monthly dues. Additionally, all Starlings clubs are required to raise part of their budget through fundraising. 

Each individual Starlings club is encouraged to adopt a mentoring program to nurture personal growth and educational achievemen

                                                      History

Currently, there are Starlings clubs in 38 cities and Native American reservations throughout the United States.  Over 2,500 girls participate in the program.  The Starlings concept was initiated by Byron Shewman in 1995.  The former USA Men’s Volleyball Team member sought to establish a volleyball/academic program that would largely serve girls from lower socioeconomic groups.  Olympian Kim Oden joined Shewman and co-founded the first club in San Diego, California, in 1996. 

Through the support of Nike and the Amateur Athletic Foundation in 1996, clubs were established in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and a Navajo reservation in the Four Corners area of Arizona. 

Financial donations from Nike, USA Volleyball, Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association, the Amateur Athletic Foundation, and generous individuals allowed the program to continue national expansion. In 1997, programs were active in 14 major cities and reservations;  programs increased to 18 in 1998. In July of 1998, 24 Starlings teams from across the country participated in the first annual Starlings National Championship in Dallas, Texas¾as part of USA Volleyball’s Junior National Championship. In 1999, programs increased to 22 cities and reservations while 32 Starlings teams traveled to New Orleans for the national championship.  In 2,000, expansion grew to 30 Starlings clubs and drew 57 teams to the nationals.   

Since 2000, most clubs have shown steady growth in number of teams and participants.  There is an annual East Coast Starlings Championship.  The national championship, held in San Diego, has steadily expanded.  In 2005 the four-day event drew 87 teams from over 20 cities.

                                                      Impact

In 1999, there were 32 graduating high school seniors in Starlings programs. Of those 32 girls, 31 enrolled in college, and nine girls received partial or full volleyball scholarships.  Beginning in 1996, over 150 volleyball scholarships have been awarded from universities including: Kansas State, Clark-Atlanta University, Virginia State University, Long Island University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, Howard University, Jackson State, Florida A&M, Grambling State University, and Hampton University.