UTSA volleyball has seen many different changes over the last two decades. Among new players, different line judges and new fans, one thing remains consistent: the ball boys.
David Salisbury and Jon Houston have been the ball boys for the Roadrunners for the last 23 years. It all started for Salisbury and Houston in 2002. Salisbury graduated and came back to play and coach the men’s volleyball club; that’s when he met Houston. Then, one volleyball game they were asked to help out, and they never really stopped.
“We’re volleyball players, so we both played; we both coached,” Salisbury said. “We both have been around volleyball gyms a lot. This is just a fun way for us to give back to our school.”
After six years of ball rolling, Houston was set to move, and Salisbury was going to retire with him gone. When UTSA was informed about their plans to leave, a ceremony was held for them and gave them a memorial to remember it by. However, Houston’s plans fell through, and the next season, they were back with the Roadrunners.
Although time has changed them, both now married with kids and full-time jobs, the pair still makes time to come out and lend a helping hand.
Being a ball boy is not just about getting the ball to players; they also assist both teams during pregame warmups. Salisbury and Houston have worked and helped captain ball rolling in two Final Fours in 2005 and 2011.
The duo also train the next generation of young volleyball players to be future ball boys during games. Currently, Salisbury’s and Houston’s own kids come out and help them.
“It’s a family thing,” Houston said. “All the kids are enjoying coming out and getting on the court with us, so it’s become a family event now.”
Houston and Salisbury will continue to aid during home games at UTSA. They are slated to work the National Championship in 2026. Houston and Salisbury are also applying to be volunteers for the 2028 Olympics in hopes of being ball rollers, so keep an eye out for UTSA’s honorary volleyball members.
