Those familiar with the Ball State University's women's volleyball program say the national search for a head coach might not need to go any farther than Muncie Burris Laboratory School.
Steve Shondell, the girls volleyball coach at Burris, is well connected in the Muncie volleyball culture. Shondell is a former player in the Ball State men's volleyball program, lettering from 1974-77. His father, Don, coached the Ball State University men's volleyball team for 34 years. His brother, Dave, coached at Daleville for eight years and Muncie Central for 13 years before taking over as women's volleyball head coach at Purdue University in February 2003.
Shondell is no stranger to state championships at Burris. His Lady Owls have won 18 state championships since 1982, including all 10 Class 2A titles since the class system was implemented in 1997.
Shondell said he was not interested in the job at the present time.
"I really love my job at Burris and love working with elementary children," he said. "The Ball State job is as good as there is in the [Mid-American Conference]. It's going to be a great job for whoever the next coach might be. At this point in time, I'm very comfortable and satisfied with what I'm doing at Burris."
However, Shondell also said he'd interview for the job if Collins asked him.
"I think out of respect for the university and being an alumnus, I'd certainly be foolish not to talk to him," he said. "My main focus has always been towards the men's program. As much as I love Ball State, I am kind of prejudiced towards the men's program. I'm sure that I'd take the time to talk to him."
Shondell's brother, Dave, is currently preparing for his Boilermakes' Sweet 16 matchup with Penn State University Friday. Dave Shondell, who graduated from Ball State in 1981 and also played for his father on the men's team, said he had no interest in coming back to his alma mater.
"I'm the happiest guy in America," he said. "Five years ago, I would've been very excited about the possibility. I applied for the men's job a few years ago and never got an interview. Obviously, I'm not up to the quality that Ball State's looking for. I'm going to stay here at Purdue and do the best job as I can.
"[Steve] certainly is more than capable of the job. Steve is one of the top five volleyball coaches in the country. Responsibilities at the college level is much higher than at the high school level. Whether Steve thinks he can enjoy that aspect of it will probably be the determining factor."
With a multitude of past players currently in the coaching ranks, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins might not have to look too far. Those who had teams in the NCAA Tournament this year include Craig Skinner at Kentucky (lettered at Ball State 1990-93) and Dave Bayer at Wisconsin (1990-93).
Those with Munciana Volleyball Club ties include coaches Kelly Sheffield at the University at Albany and Deane Webb at Belmont College. Sheffield coached with Munciana from 1989-97 and was an assistant under Steve Shondell at Burris. Webb was part of Munciana when he was the coach at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion from 1997-2000.
Other potential candidates include Wes Lyon, Muncie Central's coach, and Bowling Green State University coach Denise Van De Walle. Lyon was a four-year letterwinner at Ball State from 1974-77 and is a 1997 inductee into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame. He was an All-Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association First Team selection all four years.
"It's just a surprise right now and I just have to evaluate it," Lyon said. "No comment, I guess."
Van De Walle, a setter, lettered for the women's team from 1973-75 and was a team captain her senior year. She just finished her 24th season as the Falcons' head coach and is the conference's all-time winningest coach with 423 career wins. She began her coaching career at Northside High School in 1977 where she won a state championship in her first season. She became a graduate assistant for Ball State in 1979. Neither Lyon nor Van De Walle returned phone calls.
Don Shondell said whoever replaces Litchfield will have big shoes to fill.
"I think he has been quite an influence over the years," he said. "The record stands for itself. Whoever takes the job is going to have a tough time matching Randy's record."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
