Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregory Johnson
Hi Gregory, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello! My name is Gregory Rouark Johnson. I go by, Greg and my pronouns are He/Him.
My love for Beach Volleyball started in 2004 when my dad bought me the newly released video game, Beach Spikers, for GameCube—a game where women’s doubles teams compete in World Tour tournaments. At the time, no schools in Laurel, Maryland, offered indoor or sand volleyball for 13-year-old boys like me, so I played Beach Spikers often and fell in love with the sport!
Fast forward to 2016, I moved to Austin with my partner of three and a half years. After our breakup in 2018, I found myself in a city that still felt new, with very few friends. But life has a funny way of introducing you to the right people at the right time. On November 2, 2019, I had the good fortune of attending a Día de los Muertos party as a plus-one, where I met an incredible group of active gay and queer indoor volleyball players. They encouraged me to join their league, but at the time, most of my close friends were cis straight women. I was nervous about stepping into a new community and even asked my girlfriends multiple times if I should register for the 2019 Winter season—haha!
I finally took the leap and joined the Social Division. My team went from being the underdogs to winning the championship at playoffs—just before COVID hit! That experience made me realize how powerful team sports can be, especially for queer adults. Being part of an uplifting community, practicing with my team, learning to rebuild confidence after tough losses, celebrating every point and win, and having dinners and drinks after a well-played game—it was exhilarating. And beyond that, it gave me friendships that have lasted five years and counting!
During the COVID era, I decided to take a break from the indoor volleyball scene and joined a queer + ally sand volleyball league. While it was fun, I quickly noticed that the queer leagues in Austin at the time focused solely on competition, with little effort to foster community outside of gameplay. Later, I learned that the sand volleyball league I had joined was based out of Los Angeles, and they had no intention of deepening the community experience here in Austin. When that organization took an extended break due to COVID-19, the void became clear.
As I continued playing recreational games and going to parties hosted by other athletes, more and more players approached me, asking about the possibility of starting a locally owned queer sand volleyball league. In the spring of 2023, while working with Project Serve Beach, the owner, gave me the green light to reserve courts and launch the league. And just like that, USVL was born!
I spent many nights brainstorming names before finally landing on the Unity Sand Volleyball League—a name that truly embodied the league’s mission. It felt invigorating to work late into the night at coffee shops until 3:00 or 4:00 AM alongside my dear friend, Carlos Hinojosa, who designed our current Logo, graphic flyers, and social media content. Unity means bringing together those who want to experience joy, passion, growth, and fulfillment in our community and the sport of sand volleyball!
I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with talented photographers like Mike Johnson and Mia Tourde, ensuring that every member of the USVL community sees themselves reflected in our marketing as we continue to expand.
Because I want to cultivate partnerships and sponsors that help create a holistic lifestyle for USVL members, it’s important to build meaningful relationships with local Austin creatives and entrepreneurs. One of my proudest moments was hosting a charity tournament last summer with ASHWell Sexual Health and Wellness Clinic! Competing for a great cause and giving back to the community in such a fun way was a wonderful experience for everyone involved!
USVL has also teamed up with the fitness boutique studio SWEAT 440! I’m beyond excited about this partnership, which offers our players four FREE classes a month. As we approach the third season of USVL, I am eagerly researching more partners to further enhance the experience for our awesome community!
Within a single USVL season, players can expect seven weeks of gameplay, refreshments at nearly every match, music during games, open plays for team practices, and three to four social events outside of competition.
I didn’t have a space like this growing up, and my goal is to create an uplifting environment where the next generation of queer youth can feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has not been entirely smooth. I did not step into this role with experience in growing recreational sports leagues. I am learning as I go, but self-doubt comes up from time to time.
As an athlete, volleyball brings out this confident, optimistic, competitive, and even aggressive energy from me on the court. Those strong emotions spill over into my endeavors with USVL. And, in moments of doubt, I have many positive self-talk affirmations that I use to keep my head in the game!
Going into our third season, we still do not have an official sponsor for financial support, but it makes me even more proud to build what we have with the resources available. And I appreciate every single member that is a part of this community we are creating together.
We’ve been impressed with Unity Sand Volleyball League , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
USVL is a queer-owned and operated sand volleyball league in Austin, Texas, dedicated to fostering community, inclusivity, and fun both on and off the courts. We specialize in creating a vibrant, welcoming space where LGBTQ+ players and allies can compete, connect, and grow together.
What sets USVL apart is that we’re more than just a place to play—we’re a full community experience. Each season, we offer seven weeks of gameplay, complimentary refreshments, and open plays for teams to practice. But what truly makes us unique is how we bring people together beyond the game. We host 3–4 social events per season, partner with local businesses to enhance our members’ lifestyles and collaborate with organizations like ASHWell Sexual Health and Wellness Clinic to give back to the community.
One of the things I’m most proud of is using USVL to curate events where every member feels seen, valued, and enlivened. From paddle boarding the Colorado River to checking out new exhibitions at The Contemporary Austin Museum, every community outing is designed to enrich their experience. Our partnership with SWEAT 440, for example, gives USVL members four free fitness classes a month, reinforcing our commitment to both sport and well-being.
For anyone looking to play competitive or recreational sand volleyball in an environment that values community just as much as competition, USVL is the place to be. As we continue to grow, we’re actively seeking more partnerships, sponsors, and collaborations that align with our mission of making USVL not just a league, but a lifestyle!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Absolutely! I experienced my deepest depression from 2021-2022. It oscillated from functioning to debilitating depression. At that time, I was furloughed from my job of 4 years, so I didn’t have money to see a professional therapist on a weekly or even monthly basis.
I used an App called Bloom that included many Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) processes. I also resumed daily meditation for about 15 minutes in the morning and tried my best to write down 10 things “I appreciate in my life” every day.
During that time, I even forced myself to be the Captain of my sand volleyball team for two seasons in a row because I knew it would get some energy moving and get me out of the house.
Little by little, I was able to reclaim my joy from those very tough experiences, and it was a hell of a fight! My advice to ANYONE: Count your blessings and applaud yourself on any progress you make each day (No matter how small, progress is PROGRESS!). The momentum of that positivity will build over time!
Volleyball has always been more than just a sport—it has served as a vehicle for personal growth. I intentionally use USVL to inspire the very best in me. As the founder, I wear many hats: Commissioner, Operations, Finance, Marketing, Sales, Community Engagement, Customer Service, Event Planning, Partnership, and Sponsorship Management. Over time, I have enhanced my time management skills, learned to use my calendar more effectively, and discovered methods to manage the stress of entrepreneurship.
Going through these experiences deepened my passion for building USVL—a community where we can find connection, joy, and belonging, even during life’s toughest moments.
Pricing:
- $75 for Free Agents (Make new friends)
- $300 for Teams of 4 Players
- $375 for Teams of 5 Players
- $450 for Teams of 6 players
Contact Info:
- Website: https://playpass.com/unity-sand-volleyball-league
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usvl_atx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Bzn1WY7UL/
Image Credits
Carlos Hinojosa
Mikey Johnson
Mia Hignojos
