COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 14, 2021) – USA Volleyball is saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Donald S. “Don” Shondell, seventh president of USA Volleyball (1979-80) an AVCA Hall of Fame coach and a 1996 inductee of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Shondell died Tuesday, Nov. 23 at age 92 in Muncie, Indiana.
“It’s been an emotional ride with Dr. Don’s illness & passing last night,” Purdue Volleyball Coach Dave Shondell, one of Don Shondell’s four children, wrote in a tweet. “John & I are so thankful for the outpouring of kindness & support for our father. We were blessed to call him Dad.”
Shondell is probably best known for starting the volleyball program at Ball State – his alma mater – and coaching the men’s volleyball team for 34 years. He built a record of 769-280-6, the second most wins by a men’s volleyball head coach in NCAA history.
Ball State opened the Dr. Don Shondell Practice Center in 2018.
Shondell was the co-founder and first president of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) conference and was honored as MIVA Coach of the Year eight times.
Shondell received USAV’s William G Morgan Founder’s Award in 1981 and the organization’s highest honor, the Harold T. Friermood “Frier” Award, in 1992.
In 1996, Shondell received the USA Volleyball All-Time Great Coach award, which was later named after him. That same year, he was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
A public event to celebrate Shondell’s life and legacy will be held after the first of the year.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ball State Men’s Volleyball, Account 811, c/o BSU Foundation 2800 W. Bethel Ave., Muncie, IN 47304.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at meeksmortuary.com. A full obituary is also available