GBI Magazine

photos by tom campbell, captions by stacy clardie Shondell has several mementos in the office displaying signature victories for his program. There's the massive framed photo behind his desk of the team's opening match on Belin Court in 2007 against Ohio State, and there's the panoramic shot in the corner of his office from a victory over Penn State in 2010. The latter was impressive considering the Nittany Lions were three-time defending national champions — and went on to win a fourth consecutive title later in the year — and Purdue trailed 2-0 in the match before storming back. "Nobody had lost the first two and won the last three against them in like 15 years, so it was quite a show of toughness and character," Shondell said. In both photos, there is a packed house of fans. It's that kind of crowd support that "sells recruits to Purdue," Shondell said. Especially considering a bulk of the 2,000-or-so fans are students. "We've got active, loud students close to the floor and it creates a really nice atmosphere for our players, and they really appreciate the relationship we have with the students," he said. "They're so creative. They've got a cheer for every single player. They never sit down." When former women's basketball coach Kristy Curry took the head coaching job at Texas Tech, she left her "Boiler Up" sign to ShonShondell credits the late Roger Blalock as being dell. When Curry was at Purdue, the women's the main force in Purdue's decision hire him as the basketball and volleyball offices were in the volleyball coach. Blalock was head of the search same area, separated only by a common committee, Shondell said. Blalock also was Shonlobby. "She'd be down at the end and she'd dell's sport administrator for nine years. "He was be yelling, 'Kelly, get down here!' She'd never just one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet," went out to anybody else's office. Shondell said. "He was always about being Don Shondell may have the most extensive coaching tree in volleyball, She always had people coming fair, being honest and doing the right thing." including sons Dave, Steve and John. Don Shondell started one of the down to her office," Shondell said, nation's first college program's in men's volleyball in the 1960s at Ball laughing. "Kristy and I got along State and coached there for 34 years before moving into high school really well, as do Sharon (Versyp) coaching. At 83, he's still active and tries to attend as many Purdue and and I. A lot of places you go, that Ball State matches as he can, Dave Shondell said. "He's the reason I'm doesn't happen." where I am," son said about dad. Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 5

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