 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1929-01-01)January 1, 1929 (age 96) Muncie, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 23, 2021 Muncie, Indiana |
| Alma mater | Ball State, U.S. |
Don Stuart Shondell (January 1, 1929 – November 23, 2021) was an Americanvolleyball coach. He was the patriarch of one of the best known families in American volleyball. As the head coach of theBall State Cardinals men's volleyball team he compiled a career record of 769–280–6 (.732), affording him the second highest number of wins inNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's volleyball history, behindAl Scates of theUniversity of California, Los Angeles.[1]
Shondell graduated fromBall State University in 1952 and started Ball State's men's volleyball program in 1964. Shondell took a leave from the program in 1965 to complete a doctoral program atIndiana University Bloomington. As head coach of Ball State's men's volleyball program, he won 20Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) titles in 34 seasons. In 1970, he led Ball State to the firstNCAA Men's Volleyball Championship tournament. He later earned twelve more NCAA berths. Among his former players are OlympianPhil Eatherton and Walton.
Shondell was a co-founder of the MIVA, the organization's first president, and an eight-time MIVA coach of the year winner.[citation needed]
He retired as head coach of Ball State in 1998 and was replaced byJoel Walton, a former player and assistant coach. After retirement Shondell began coaching the Middle School volleyball team at Muncie Burris Laboratory School inMuncie, Indiana. He also coached youth volleyball in the Muncie area.
Shondell was the co-author and editor of the Volleyball Coaching Bible.[2]
Shondell was the father ofDave Shondell, the present head women's volleyball head coach atPurdue University, John Shondell, who is Dave's assistant at Purdue, andSteve Shondell, the former girls' volleyball coach atBurris Laboratory School and former head coach of theBall State women's volleyball team.
Shondell was also the grandfather of former Tennessee women's player and current Youngstown State assistant coach Jasmine Fullove, former Purdue women's player Lindsay Shondell, and current Butler head coach Kyle Shondell.
Shondell died on November 23, 2021.[3]