Mission Statement
Our Mission
The College Grass Open was started to give college athletes a real place to compete on grass. While indoor volleyball at the college level is well established, there aren’t many organized outdoor opportunities designed specifically for college players who want to test themselves outside the gym. We’re working to change that by building events where athletes can compete freely, challenge themselves, and be part of a growing outdoor scene.
This is a space where college athletes, club players, and anyone currently in college can compete on equal footing. No labels, no program hierarchy - just athletes showing up to compete, improve, and see where they stand.
Our goal is to introduce more college players to the grass game, raise the level of competition, and create more opportunities for athletes to stay involved in volleyball beyond their indoor seasons. By making outdoor competition more accessible and visible, we hope to help grow a stronger future for the sport at the college level.
But the College Grass Open isn’t just about one tournament. We’re building a community and a pathway - one that connects college athletes to the larger outdoor volleyball world, supports their development, and helps them find more chances to compete at a high level. We want to contribute to the volleyball ecosystem, not compete with it, because the sport grows best when more athletes have places to play.
At the end of the day, this is about the players. Whether someone is experienced on grass or stepping onto it for the first time, our goal is to create an environment that’s competitive, welcoming, and driven by the athletes themselves. We want players to compete hard, improve their game, and help shape what college grass volleyball can become.
About
About College Grass Open
College Grass Open (CGO) is a competitive collegiate grass volleyball event built to give college athletes a true tour-style experience.
We are creating a structured, season-based environment where players compete for prizes, recognition, and high-level competition.
Our Mission
- A professionally run tournament experience.
- Individual player recognition.
- A competitive, high-energy environment.
We aim to bridge the gap between casual college play and elite-level competition by introducing a format inspired by professional tours — while keeping it accessible to all enrolled college athletes.
How It Works
- Players compete in AA, A, and BB divisions.
Tournament Format
Each CGO event features a structured competition format designed to maximize play and maintain a competitive environment.
- Pool play to begin the tournament.
- Top teams advance to a playoff bracket.
- Championship match determines the event winner.
This format ensures consistent competition while rewarding top-performing teams.
CGO also uses a self-ref scoring system, so teams can report pool play and playoff scores through the site while admin keeps oversight for disputes or corrections.
Partnership Format
- Open partnership model — compete with any partner who meets the eligibility requirements.
- Partners do not need to be from the same school, and partnerships can change from tournament to tournament.
- Players are free to compete with different partners at each event throughout the season, allowing flexibility while maintaining a competitive collegiate environment.
This format maximizes competitiveness while maintaining a true collegiate identity.
What Makes CGO Different
- Player leaderboard.
- Cash incentives.
- Clean, structured event management.
- A growing collegiate grass community.
The Future
College Grass Open is building the foundation for a growing collegiate grass volleyball circuit. As the series expands, we aim to introduce additional event stops, increased participation from schools across the region, and a stronger competitive environment for collegiate athletes.