Dr. Ruben Acosta, President of the FIVB since the dawn of time (well, actually since 1984… It just FEELS like forever) has announced he will be handing over the presidency at the FIVB Congress in Dubai in June.

Acosta was the public face behind lots of change in international volleyball circles, and not always popular change, either — the recent decision to limit foreign pros in European leagues, and earlier in his term, the implementation of rally scoring and the position of libero, were just a few of the more controversial moves that caused lots of debate and discussion in the world of volleyball during his term of office.

Not always the most popular man at the top of the world volleyball organization, he’s decided it’s time to step down, two years before the end of his current mandate. And it’s an odd time to step down, too, with Beijing only months away.

Meh, could be nothing. Could be he’s just ready to retire. But it has certainly caused lots of speculation in the volleyball community. And hey, speculation about Acosta’s decisions is just par for the course.

His position will be assumed for the remainder of the term by Wei Jizhong of China, the FIVB’s current Executive Vice President.