Don Shondell
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| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 1, 1929 Muncie, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 23, 2021 Muncie, Indiana |
| Alma mater | Ball State |
Don Stuart Shondell (January 1, 1929 – November 23, 2021) was an American volleyball coach. He was the patriarch of one of the best known families in American volleyball. As the head coach of the Ball State Cardinals men's volleyball team he compiled a career record of 769–280–6 (.732), affording him the second highest number of wins in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's volleyball history, behind Al Scates of the University of California, Los Angeles.[1]
Shondell graduated from Ball 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 at Indiana University Bloomington. As head coach of Ball State's men's volleyball program, he won 20 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) titles in 34 seasons. In 1970, he led Ball State to the first NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship tournament. He later earned twelve more NCAA berths. Among his former players are Olympian Phil 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 by Joel Walton, a former player and assistant coach. After retirement Shondell began coaching the Middle School volleyball team at Muncie Burris Laboratory School in Muncie, Indiana. He also coached youth volleyball in the Muncie area.