Former Ball State men's volleyball coaches Jerre McManama and Don Shondell are two of the 11 members inducted into the inaugural class of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Hall of Fame Monday.
Shondell founded the Ball State men's volleyball program in 1964 and was head coach for 34 seasons, finishing with a record of 769-280-6. Current head coach Joel Walton played for and coached along side Shondell.
"In spite of the fact that there were many people who didn't think volleyball had a place at Ball State, his passion and persistence got the sport started," Walton said. "Without his vision, what has become a very meaningful program in the United States may never have happened."
His 769 wins are the second most in NCAA men's volleyball history. He also has the most wins by any Cardinals coach and is the namesake of a new practice facility being built for basketball, volleyball and gymnastics.
Shondell is also the co-founder of the MIVA and was the conference's first president. He was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1996.
McManama was an assistant coach for Ball State men's volleyball from 1970-86 and also the head coach for Ball State women's volleyball from 1983-88. McManama was also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Ball State men's volleyball.
Walton recalled McManama hosting camps in Muncie that included several notable names, including future USA Volleyball CEO David Beal and Chris Marlowe, who won a gold medal with the men's volleyball team at the 1984 Summer Olympics and is now currently a sportscaster with NBC Sports.
"They created the opportunity for people to be able to play volleyball at Ball State," Walton said.
They will be honored on May 5 in Columbus, Ohio, one day before the NCAA Men's Volleyball National Championship.
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