The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 41

D2 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1993 8 ft easy to see why Shondell is happy on job 4 -r- -i 9 that's helped him become one of the winnlngest collegiate coaches of all time. "A lot of coaches are demanding and treat winning and losing In this sport like it's the end of the world," said Cardinals sophomore Todd Relmer. "But Coach Shondell is demanding in a way that doesn't take away from the fun of playing volleyball. "Winning Is Important, but so is enjoying the sport and whom you are playing for. Coach Shondell is fun to play for." Shondell is in his 29th season as the Volleycards' mentor.

A 1952 BSU grad. he started the volleyball program In 1964 and has been there since, with the exception of 1965 when he worked on his doctorate at Indiana University. During 28 seasons, Shondell has compiled a 637-220-6 record. His teams have won or shared the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association championship 16 times, and have advanced to the By Kevin Harmon STAR STAFF WRITER Muncle, lnd. Don Shondell has a simple explanation for the longevity he's enjoyed as the head coach of Ball State University's men's volleyball team.

"1 love what I'm doing when you love what you're doing, the time you spend doing it goes by fast," Shondell said. "Just seeing kids come into our program raw, then leave a much better finished product is very satisfying and keeps me going." There's nothing fancy about his coaching philosophy. Shondell's a no-nonsense guy who has stuck to his guns during volleyball's ever-changing times. Players are bigger and more athletic. The game moves faster and Involves more strategy.

Slmplistically speaking, Shondell preaches togetherness and following the basic fundamentals a casual, yet effective formula THISTLE 75 lb. 12bag SUNFLOWER $8.79 50bag OLD BOB MIXES from $4.99 2Sbag COMMERCIAL MIXES $149 20bag HEADQUARTERS FOR THE SERIOUS BIRD LOVER itj Compact I UgMwegrt THE PHONE THAT WORKS WONDERS! mam ur builu pwme kt 1 ytar GTE Uobtinei Servict ENTURY CAR PHONES 297-9797 fell PT612 EM. $149H Vlffea total. Star Start Photo Patrick Schneider CARDS' COACH: Don Shondell monitors warmup. Hoosier teams in struggle for national recognition I i 11MCI Presenting The 1993 Spring and Summer And The 1993-1994 Fall And Winter Collections Of Oxxford Clothing And Ferragamo Shoes Friday, April 16th 1:00 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 17th 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Oxxford Clothing Represented by Nick DeLaquila By Kevin Harmon STAR STAFF WRITER It's no secret the state of California is recognized as the mecca of men's collegiate volleyball. Golden State schools have produced every NCAA champion since the Final Four was Instituted in 1970, and usually dominates the American Volleyball Coaches Association's Top 15 rankings. This season Is no different the top six rated programs are from California.

While other schools such as Penn State, Ohio State, Ball State and Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne have developed competi- 1 4624 '(117)144-1141 want to be a part of It." he said. "I've never considered this work." Shondell has coached several teams In International competition and served on several NCAA and U.S. Volleyball Association committees. His interest sparked the participation of his children In the sport. Sons Steve and Dave coach the teams at Muncle Burris and Muncle CentraPhlgh schools, respectively.

Steve is also a part-time coach with the Volleycards. His youngest son, John, is a senior member of this year's BSU squad. "He's been very instrumental In my development of the sport," John Shondell said. "He Just likes the sport so much, It rubbed off on the rest of us." Don Shondell said he doesn't have any plans to call It quits anytime soon. With only three seniors on a team just scratching the surface of its potential, one can understand why.

"I wouldn't know what else to do with myself," he said. i Star Staff Photo Patrick Schneider attempt by Ball State's Paul a little more respect given to schools like Ball State and IP-FW." he said. "There could be parity some day if things go the way they've been going for some of the other up-and-coming teams." Added Reimer, "The bottom line is until someone knocks them off the throne, nothing Is going to change." "I don't see any negatives," said Elliott. "At this point, everything is a plus. There's enough for everyone here.

We want to push (motorsports) forward." Sports The Sports Department is responsible for all local and national sports-related news. If you wish to discuss a story or make a suggestion, call the telephone numbers listed here after 2 p.m. weekdays. If you are a coach or other person reporting a score or event results, please call 633-9180 after 4:30 p.m. Sports Editor GlenKemery 633-9182 Assistant Sports Editor PatMcKee 633-9182 Toll free (800)669-7827 Scoreline.

633-1200 (To obtain scores) Sell it quicker in lhegS)fSUr4NovsCUssifids. i I "'if NCAA Tournament on 11 occasions. The Volleycards are 15-9 and ranked 14th In the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 15. The 15 victories give Shondell 652, making him the second-wlnnlngest coach In the history of men's volleyball. He trails only legendary UCLA coach Al Scales.

Shondell's record is an even greater accomplishment considering the development and availability of talent in this part of the country. Volleyball isn't a sanctioned high school sport for boys In Indiana and the sport isn't as prevalent in the Midwest as it Is on the West Coast, where the majority of the nation's collegiate powerhouses are located. Shondell said one of his reasons for existence is to teach. Volleyball surfaced as Just a part of his overall mission, that of an Instructor in the BSU athletic department. "I guess watching the game change and grow really made meJ JLLi jr.

1 and no one else can play the game," said BSU's Todd Reimer, a sophomore from Racine, Wis. "The blocking and defending might be better on the West Coast, but It's only a matter of time before we catch up." Senior setter John Shondell said the difference isn't as big as one might think. "Since I've been here, I've seen for 1994. Races are traditionally held on superspeedways at Talladega. and Brooklyn, during the weeks surrounding the Indy date, but France brushed off any conflicts.

George echoed those feelings for the IndyCar schedule. "To my knowledge, that's been worked out for at least our Inaugural event," said George, a nonvoting member of the IndyCar board. "There has been some Interest from the Indy-car drivers to obtain a ride (for the NASCAR race) and I expect some will be successful." Al Unser A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Bobby Rahal, Stan Fox and Pancho Carter are the prominent Indy-car drivers with NASCAR experience. Scott Pruett, Arie Luyendyk and Al Unser have participated In recent International Race of Champions events in stock cars.

Waltrlp. Earnhardt and Elliott said the changes in the Speedway's track, Including the raised walls, speed-reducing rumble strips and the warmup lanes, will not hinder the racing of the stock cars. "They won't have to cut the grass," said Waltrlp, "but they might have to repaint the walls. It's a wonderful place to race." I 1 Footwear by Ferragamo Shoes Mb ti ii fi (: gf tive teams, they've performed In relative obscurity because of their West Coast counterparts. Take seventh-ranked IP-FW, for example.

The Volleydons have advanced to the Final Four the last two seasons and are a good bet to challenge for a third appearance in the April 23-24 Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association playoffs at Muncle. Behind All-America setter Lloy Ball, they are 21-6 this season, beating No. 4 Long Beach State, No. 8 Brigham Young; No. 9 San Diego State and No.

11 UC-Santa Barbara along the way. Nevertheless, IP-FW trails No. 4 Long Beach State (12-10) and No. 6 USC In the rankings. It should be mentioned the talent pool in California Is enormous.

Athletes start playing at an earlier age and the sport Is a way of life there viewed similarly as basketball is in Indiana. While some coaches agree there might be better talent out West, talent isn't the only thing that wins championships. Until someone else figures that out, don't look for Immediate parity. "We're developing a strong reputation and the only way to be viewed on the same level and to keep winning and beat those schools when we get a chance," said IP-FW coach Arnle Ball, who played at Ball State. "We also have to diversify our recruiting, broaden our horizons a bit.

Other than Ball State and Ohio State, not too many other schools have strong traditions." Ball said he Isn't sure if the gap ever will be narrowed. Although more athletes are getting Involved In volleyball, especially on the club level, Ball said the rest of the country has a long way to go to catch the Callfornlans. "We need additional quality programs to get better," he said. "The saying there Is quality In numbers is true. And when we or any other team outside of the.

West Coast goes to the Final Four, we can't Just be pleased with getting there (we have to) focus on winning the whole thing." Ball State, which most recently went to the NCAA Final Four In 1990, has made significant strides to bridge the power gap. BSU plays In sparkling, 11.500-seat University Arena, which was showcased to the country last year The Speaker Specialists Biif i Hit of Ptlk frmt tett ehmel tpttken in jet i center eliinnil ipuktt FREE! Detiili in ttori. INDIANAPOLIS NORTHEAST 6609 82ND STREET I 2 BUS. EAST Of CASTLFJQN SQUARE 1317) 8497729 INDIANAPOLIS SOUTH 880? S. US 31 1UST HORTH Of GREENWOOD PARK MAUI (317) 885-1888 INDIANAPOLIS WEST 1 4270 W.38TH STREET! SOUTH END OF LAFAYETTE SQUARE 1 1317) 299-9877 ri PROFESSIONAL HOME AUTO INSTALLATION EXPERT SERVICE DEPARTMENT MASTERCARD I DISCOVER AM EXPRESS BLOCK BUSTER: Felipe Ralat (8) of IP-Fort Wayne foils a block Nikiforov during a match in University Arena.

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IliMkU'liTitHagiCr'l7lBliyttMCnntM V. SAME AS CASH by hosting the NCAA Championship. IP-FW hosted the national finals in 1988 and will again In 1994. BSU coach Don Shondell has developed a strong recruiting base In talent-rich Wisconsin, where volleyball Is highly competitive at prep and club levels. "The people out there feel like they have the cream of the crop Brickyard Continued from Page 1 There also is a question of how Indianapolis Raceway Park fits into the equation.

The westslde racing facility, which has hosted a number of national events, Including the annual Kroger 200 for NASCAR's Busch Grand National series, is expected to host a Friday night BGN show Aug. 5, 1994. General Manager Lex Dudas was at the news conference to talk with France, Richter and George, hoping to turn Marlon County into a mania-filled week. "I'm very optimistic," said Dudas, whose job now will be to convince the National Hot Rod Association, the owner of IRP, to Invest In capital improvements at the oval. "I think we can get it done and It will be good for us, for (IMS) and for the fans." "1 haven't had a chance to talk to Lex yet," said Richter, "but I think he's going to be happy." Elliott and Waltrlp said their teams would "almost certainly" bring their Busch cars to Indy as well.

France and Richter said they did not have information on how the Brickyard 400 would work in NASCAR's already busy schedule EVERYTHING IN THE STORE IS UE STEREOS TVs VCRs FURNITURE CAR STEREOS OVATION SPECIALISTS Now though April 30, 1993. Minimum purchase $300 (subject to credit opprovolj OPEN 11-8 MONDAY-FRIDAY nun lUiHthiHilllltn I OVATION SERVICE AUDIOVIDEO SATURDAY Mil CLOSED SUNDAY INSTANT FINANCIN6 COUPON SERVICE COUPON I I VISA I It id OVATION any COUPON I I I I I $1Ooo0tf repair service EXPIRES JUNE 15 i wmyiew rc cleaning i COUPON EXPIRES JUNE 15.