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Ball State launched a campaign to name a new on-campus athletics facility after one of the most influential people in the history of college men’s volleyball.
The university as part of the Cardinal Commitment: Developing Champions campaign announced it is attempting to raise $4 million to name a volleyball practice facility in honor of retired Ball State coach Don Shondell.
Shondell in his 39 years as the Cardinals head coach established an unprecedented legacy in college men’s volleyball.
As the founder and inaugural coach of the Ball State men’s volleyball program, Shondell was the primary force behind developing college men’s volleyball throughout the Midwest. He also was one of the first college coaches inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame and led Ball State to a school-record 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and 20 conference regular season titles.
The new proposed facility would be named the Don Shondell Court Sports Practice Facility. In addition, it would be one of the first buildings in the almost 100-year history of Ball State named after a coach.
The Don Shondell Court Sports Practice Facility would be located adjacent to Worthen Arena, where Ball State will continue to play its home matches.
The new proposed facility would also help make practice times more available for the Cardinals.
Ball State men’s volleyball and three other teams currently practice and play their home matches at Worthen Arena. The amount of teams competing for practice time on at the same arena has created schedule conflicts and practicing at less than ideal times in recent years.
Along with the new practice arena, the money raised in the campaign would be used to renovate the Ball State men’s and women’s volleyball teams locker rooms.
“Building a new facility will allow Ball State teams to practice at a time during the day that will allow maximum performance,” Ball State women’s volleyball coach Steve Shondell said in a statement. “Expanding the locker rooms of each team will give the athletes the space they need to develop greater team chemistry. The locker room expansion and new facility will go a long way in attracting new recruits to Ball State University.”
Ball State men’s volleyball has won the most conference championships of any Ball State team in school history. In addition, the 1995 Ball State men’s volleyball team under coach Don Shondell remains the team to receive the highest national ranking in the history of Ball State athletics.
The Cardinals last season finished the season nationally ranked for the second consecutive year and advanced to the MIVA Tournament semifinals.
The Don Shondell Court Sports Practice Facility is projected to cost $8 million to build. To make a donation and to learn more about the Cardinal Commitment, check out the campaign’s website.