March 21, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State Director of Athletics Dr. Sheahon Zenger announced the resignation of Redbird volleyball coach Sharon Dingman Friday, after she accepted the head coaching position at Iowa. A national search to fill the vacated position will begin immediately.
On the heels of her first postseason appearance at Illinois State, Dingman leaves the ISU campus after eight seasons. She posted a 157-98 (.616) record with the Redbirds, and owns a 336-212 (.613) career head-coaching record that spans over 17 seasons with stops at Auburn and Butler.
"Sharon has given Illinois State athletics and Redbird volleyball eight solid years," said Zenger. "She is a great team player and has been a great member of our department. I wish her nothing but the best of luck."
The Redbirds garnered an at-large berth into the 2007 NCAA Tournament field. With a 21-12 record, ISU finished runner-up at the 2007 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998.
"I have loved my eight years as a Redbird," said Dingman. "It has provided me with some of the greatest times of my coaching career. I was fortunate to come into a successful program and leave it feeling very good about what we have accomplished, but most importantly, what is ahead for this team. The players are committed to excellence in all they do, they are competitive, and are all winners."
Dingman led the program to winning seasons in seven of her eight campaigns as the Redbird mentor, and also amassed seven winning seasons in eight tries at Butler. In her lone season with the Tigers, she led Auburn to a 22-13 overall slate.
During her tenure, Illinois State has had 21 All-Missouri Valley Conference selections, and 11 players have been named to the league's scholar-athlete squad.
