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WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: Collins calls meeting with legendary Burris coach ‘all rumors’

Ball State AD says coach opening “week, 10 days” from starting search

Published: Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Updated: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 00:03

shondell.jpg

PHOTO COURTESY OF BALL STATE

The rumor mill of names has forcefully hit the Ball State University women's volleyball head coach opening, but lately most of those rumors point to just one name:

Legendary Burris Laboratory girl's volleyball coach Steve Shondell.

Shondell was rumored to meet with Ball State athletics director Tom Collins Tuesday morning to discuss the opening, but Collins said Tuesday afternoon that those reports were just that: rumors.

The Ball State women's volleyball coaching position became vacant March 3 when former coach Dave Boos resigned to become an assistant coach with the University of Florida. Boos was officially hired by Florida on Monday.

But according to Collins, the Ball State opening "hasn't even closed yet."

"We're a week, 10 days, from even starting a search," he said.

Shondell did not return multiple phone messages left on Tuesday requesting comment.

Shondell did tell The Ball State Daily News March 3 that the Ball State opening was "tempting," but said he had no intention to apply for the position.

He was the 2009 National High School Volleyball Coach of the Year and has won 13 consecutive Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 2A state titles with the Owls.
He has also been a highly successful club volleyball coach with the local club program, Munciana, primarily coaching the 12-and-under "Peppers" squad.

Shondell is the son of legendary former Ball State men's volleyball coach Don Shondell, and has played for the Ball State men's volleyball team in the 1970s and was named to the all-conference team twice. Steve Shondell has remained close to both the Ball State men's and women's volleyball programs in his lengthy career as a local coach.

Steve's brother, Dave, is the head coach at Purdue University, where their brother, John, is an assistant coach. John Shondell's name has also been discussed by some as a possible candidate for the Ball State job.
 

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88 comments

Phil
Tue Apr 13 2010 23:03
Actually the DN still doesn't have the story even though there's been an official release. Great reporting DN, way to stay on top of the story.
Anonymous
Tue Apr 13 2010 19:00
Easy hire maybe doesn't mean best hire. Screwing up with Boos so badly maybe left TC gun shy. Steve will be better than Boos. Hard not to. But there are some unhappy kids in the team right now. Should they have a say, maybe not. But then why ask them in the first place? Water under bridge now so good luck to Coach Shondell. We'll support you.
Anonymous
Tue Apr 13 2010 16:30
Star Press is reporting contract negotiation is in the final stages. Congrats to Shondell.

To bad the DN couldn't report this.

Anonymous
Tue Apr 13 2010 11:07
Who is picking the coach - the girls or Collins? If girls, what if they don't like who they pick? Will they walk?
Anonymous
Mon Apr 12 2010 18:29
heard he was super nervous/shaky and spoke very highly of boos i.e. the players didnt like him. So Collins took back the offer....

no one freak out...just what ive heard

Anonymous
Mon Apr 12 2010 15:34
How could you bomb an interview? Why would it have mattered? Thought it was just a formality?
Anonymous
Mon Apr 12 2010 13:59
Steve bombed the interview, should be avery
Anonymous
Mon Apr 12 2010 12:24
Any updates? Will the announcement be made this week
Anonymous
Fri Apr 9 2010 15:37
It was Avery. No doubt
Frodo
Fri Apr 9 2010 13:40
Pretty Blond? That could possibly be Carin Avery
Anonymous
Fri Apr 9 2010 13:19
Saw a pretty blond lady on campus yesterday and heard from one of the gals that it was a coach candidate that "the team loved". Wouldn't give up a name though - any ideas?
Anonymous
Fri Apr 9 2010 12:21
Is Shondell in even with the NCAA stuff violation? Was he in violation? Who is interviewing?
Eww
Tue Apr 6 2010 22:10
I don't know anything about volleyball, but that guy in the photo needs to drop the hair piece. They never work.
Anonymous
Tue Apr 6 2010 19:48
Does the MAC sponsor men's soccer? If yes, would we ever consider adding it? I remember a pretty active club team on campus a few years back - could we elevate to varsity and get two coaches for the price of one?

just thinking out loud. Still think Shondell has it in the bag.

Frodo
Tue Apr 6 2010 12:41
Carin Avery? Really? Will her husband leave the soccer program at VU to accommodate her new gig?
rules
Tue Apr 6 2010 11:41
"A high school senior who has signed a National Letter of Intent is no longer considered a prospective student athlete. Therefore, none of the compliance rules listed by anonymous have any merit here."

Not true. You're a prospect until you start school.

Anonymous
Mon Apr 5 2010 15:12
Heard from a little birdie that two coaches will be visiting Ball State and going through an interview process THIS WEEK. One (I shall not name) will be from the west coast. I hope TC makes a good decision. In my eyes, he just doesn't understand how important volleyball is here in the Muncie community.
Anonymous
Mon Apr 5 2010 11:31
So who is on campus interviewing
Anonymous
Sun Apr 4 2010 16:51
A high school senior who has signed a National Letter of Intent is no longer considered a prospective student athlete. Therefore, none of the compliance rules listed by anonymous have any merit here.
Anonymous
Sun Apr 4 2010 11:49
Did Shondell violate NCAA rules? What happens tot the new recruits? Are they in violation?






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