Don Shondell

Who is Don Shondell?

Dr. Don Shondell is the patriarch of one of the best known families in American volleyball. His career has been long and varied as a volleyball coach, author and program coordinator. He has a career record of 769-280-6, affording him the second highest number of wins in NCAA men's volleyball history, behind UCLA's Al Scates.

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.

As head coach of Ball State's men's volleyball program, he won 20 Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association 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.

Shondell was a co-founder of the MIVA, and the organization's first president and an eight time MIVA coach of the year winner.

Shondell 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 boy's volleyball team at Muncie Central High School in Muncie, Indiana.