The NCAA v. House settlement decision from early June undeniably shook up the world of college athletics and left a whopping $2.8 billion settlement to pay out to athletes.
For Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State, athletic director Ross Bjork had to decide which of the 36 Buckeye sports would receive any of the payout. But women’s volleyball head coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg didn’t have to lobby Bjork for the money.
“I think [Bjork] made the case [for volleyball]. He was one of the first or only ADs that made it public that volleyball will be a revenue share sport at Ohio State,” Flynn Oldenburg said Tuesday in Chicago at Big Ten Volleyball Media Days. “We're one of four out of 36 sports, and I think that says a lot for the support of our administration to give it to us, to compete obviously in the Big Ten but also nationally. We're very fortunate and grateful, and we're going to be able to use it.”
The other three programs are football and men’s and women’s basketball. Ohio State enters 2025 following a 13th-place Big Ten Conference finish and 14-16 (7-13) record last season.
The Buckeyes added three freshmen to their roster this offseason, including defensive specialist Mia Stahler and outside hitters Na'Vea Gauthier and Mina Gunes. All three are strong and could potentially see playing time, but at present, Stahler stands out to Flynn Oldenburg.
“I think Mia Stahler pushes other defense quite a bit, so she could see some time,” Flynn Oldenburg said. “It’s a little bit wide open right now and that’s not a bad thing because we’ve got a lot of talent in our gym.”
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