By Esteban Ramirez
Sports Editor
California State University, Bakersfield will honor longtime supporters Steve and Lori Barnes by dedicating the Barnes Beach Volleyball Complex to them on March 6.
“It’s a nice addition for CSUB,” Associate Director of Athletics Karen Langston said. “There are some efficiencies and cost savings having two teams with shared coaches and some of the players do both. It’s a nice addition for us.”
According to Langston, the Barneses really wanted to help the volleyball program and specifically getting sand volleyball started. They donated all of the $125,000 that CSUB got for the complex. They partnered with the Student Recreation Center as part of its assets that students are able to use.
“We’ve had a long relationship with him for a longtime,” Langston said. “He has always been supportive of us, and he had a personal relationship with one of our coaches. You know how friends talk about their ideas for the future and it just happened to become a reality.”
She added that the Barneses specifically requested that they wanted the money to go to the sand volleyball program.
“It’s great for the Bakersfield community. Bakersfield is a big volleyball town. There are a lot of clubs and youth opportunities to play volleyball, so it’s nice to have another team to watch when our indoor team isn’t playing.”
Langston said that this is a lot more ideal and convenient for the students for them to have the complex here on campus.
“We are very excited for the Barnes Beach Volleyball Complex Dedication,” CSUB sand volleyball coach Olivia Simko said to gorunners.com. “Steve, Lori, and the entire Barnes family have been incredibly supportive of our program since the get-go and we are thrilled that they are getting the recognition they deserve. We are so grateful for their continued support.”
Assistant Athletics Director for Communications Corey Costelloe said it was very important for CSUB.
“It just meant that we can improve on what it is already a good facility and one of the best sand volleyball facilities in the NCAA,” Costelloe said. “It’s a growing sport, so for us to have a first-class facility it helps to continue to build for the years to come.”
