Former Illinois State volleyball coach Sandy Lynn was pronounced dead Sunday after a hiking accident in New Mexico.
Lynn coached the Redbirds from 1982-86.
Reports indicate that Lynn suffered a fatal head injury during a fall. Her funeral is Thursday at 10 a.m., in Carlsbad, NM.
During her time at Illinois State, Lynn coached the Redbirds to a record of 139-67 with four NCAA Tournament bids, four Gateway Conference Tournament titles and three regular season league championships.
She coached all-American
Julie Paska and
Cindy Harris, both of whom are now employed in the ISU Athletics Department. She also coached current Clemson coach Jolene Jordan-Hoover and current Western Michigan coach Cathy Olson-George, both of whom starred at ISU as players.
Lynn left ISU to become the head volleyball coach at Tennessee and was succeeded by her assistant, Julie Morgan, who coached the program for the next 13 seasons. After a four-year stint at UT, Lynn left the coaching profession.
She was 44 at the time of her death.
Memorials may be sent to the Sandy Lynn Memorial Scholarship, 4510 Old Cavern Highway, Carlsbad, NM, 88220. The fund is being administered by Lynns parents and the Carlsbad Foundation. The scholarship will benefit female athletes.
