AIC Men’s Volleyball Grow the Game Night to Feature Spanish-language Broadcast

SPRINGFIELD — The American International College (AIC) men’s volleyball team will host its Grow the Game Night on Thursday, March 26 during the team’s 7 p.m. matchup against Elms College.

The Grow the Game Night event, which is free of charge, will feature an opportunity for youth volleyball players from local communities to meet members of the team and a postgame autograph session. It is aimed at showcasing the rapid growth of men’s volleyball at the NCAA level and to encourage young people to become involved in the game and see it as a path to collegiate athletics.

“A night like this is important for a lot of reasons,” Head Men’s Volleyball Coach Wade Robidoux said. “It helps grow the sport at a grassroots level; inviting these local high school teams to watch high-level NCAA volleyball up close and then meet the players afterward can create direct inspiration. Many of these young players might not have seen college men’s volleyball, especially in our region, so nights like these can spark passion and show a pathway for opportunities at a higher level.”

As part of the event, AIC Athletic Communications will provide a Spanish-language broadcast of the match on FloCollege in addition to the English-language broadcast. This will be the first time a men’s volleyball team in the East Coast Conference will have a match broadcast in Spanish. It will also be the second time in the 2025-26 academic year that AIC has broadcast a contest in Spanish, following the success of the women’s volleyball team’s Hispanic Heritage Night broadcast on Oct. 7, 2025. Two members of the women’s team will be on the microphone, with juniors Zorybeth Febres and 2024 East Region and Northeast 10 Conference Player of the Year Victoria Mendez narrating the action.

Team co-captain and senior Fabian Lugo — who, along with his classmate and teammate Robert Santana, was on the call of the women’s match in October —felt the impact of the event and is excited for one of his own to have the same opportunity.

“For me, it means a lot to have our match called in Spanish because it represents who I am and where I come from. Being from Puerto Rico, Spanish has always been a huge part of my life, so hearing the game in my language just makes it feel more personal and meaningful,” he said. “It’s not just about me either — it’s about making the game more inclusive and giving Spanish-speaking fans a chance to feel connected. After commentating a women’s match in Spanish in the fall, I really saw how powerful that connection can be and how it helps grow the game in a more authentic way.”

Robidoux also understands the significance of the broadcast for the college and volleyball community. “With a considerable number of players from Puerto Rico and of Hispanic heritage, offering a Spanish-language broadcast makes the game more accessible and welcoming to Spanish-speaking fans, families, and community members in Western Massachusetts,” he said. “It shows appreciation for our players and respect for their culture, especially since they have been there since the beginning of AIC men’s volleyball. This night will also invite more people to engage with AIC men’s volleyball.”

Fans who are interested in watching the broadcast should navigate to the game’s landing page on the FloCollege website. On match day, options for the English-language and Spanish-language broadcast will appear.