2008 AVP Volley Ball returns to Belmar

BELMAR — After spending the last two summers in Seaside Heights, the Association of
Volleyball Professionals tour will return to the borough this summer.

"We are thrilled to bring the AVP Crocs Tour back to Belmar this year,'' said Leonard
Armato, tour commissioner and chief executive officer, in a written statement released today.

"The Jersey Shore has always been a huge supporter of the AVP and though we are sorry to leave Seaside Heights, we are excited to head back to the beach in Belmar. Hopefully in the coming seasons we will be able to operate multiple events on the Jersey Shore and look forward to partnering with both Belmar and Seaside Heights in the future.''

"We are pleased to welcome the AVP back to Belmar this summer,'' said Mayor Kenneth E. Pringle, who in 1991 brought the first AVP event to Belmar one year after he became mayor. "We are excited to be working again with our old friends at the AVP, and are looking forward to making this year's AVP Belmar Open the best one ever.''

Two years ago, the tour left Belmar after Pringle's administration raised concerns about the tournament taking place over the busy weekend preceding July 4. Another concern was the introduction of nighttime competition under artificial lights.

In addition, a new tour sponsor at the time, liquor manufacturer Jose Cuervo, was not consistent with Belmar's strict policy of not allowing alcohol consumption on the beach.

Neither side detailed what discussions had taken place to resolve those old concerns this year.

This year, the AVP Crocs Tour Belmar Open will be held June 20-22 on the beach at the end of Fifth Avenue.