Before Butler volleyball coach Kyle Shondell even steps onto the court against his uncle, John Shondell, for an August 14 exhibition match, he’s already got something to avenge. John Shondell, the Wisconsin assistant coach, absolutely hammered his nephew on the golf course earlier this summer, boasting that he “kind of took him to the woodshed” and that their match was “over after about 12 holes.” You know John isn’t going to forget about that one, and you can bet he’s going to remind Kyle about it too.
The Shondell Family Reunion Just Got Personal
Kyle is definitely seeking a more competitive result when his Butler Bulldogs visit the Badgers, and honestly, who wouldn’t be after that kind of golf beatdown? This isn’t just any match, folks; it’s a quasi-reunion for Indiana’s famous family of volleyball coaches. Kyle’s dad, Purdue coach Dave Shondell, is another powerhouse in the game, and Kyle has been upfront about how different, yet similar, coaching against his uncle will be compared to his dad. He knows he’s “got to bring my ‘A’ game and do all the things that us Shondells’ teams do well just to have a chance.” This is about more than just a win; it’s about family bragging rights and erasing that golf course memory.
The Mentorship That Shaped a Coach
Kyle’s connection to his uncle John runs super deep. He worked with the volleyball program when he was a student at Purdue, learning directly from his father and John, who was the associate head coach back then. Kyle’s not shy about giving credit where it’s due: while his dad shaped a lot of his coaching philosophy and style, he credits his Uncle John for “how much of who I am as an in-gym trainer, who I am coaching a player.” Kyle firmly believes John is “one of the more technically savvy coaches in America,” praising his ability to break down the game technically while keeping college athletes engaged. Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield, who has known the Shondell family for years, has seen the influence firsthand, noting Kyle’s competitive fire, his training skills like John, and his motivational prowess like Dave. It’s a powerful coaching lineage, no doubt.
An Exhibition Born from Opportunity (and a Little Persuasion)
The exhibition match itself came about pretty organically. Both teams needed another exhibition game, and Kyle and John got to talking at an AAU tournament in Orlando. John admitted Kyle was “a little weary about it” because Purdue, his dad’s team, is *also* a top-10 team he faces preseason. Facing two top-10 teams like that with a young squad has to feel daunting. But John, ever the persuader, knew how to sweeten the deal: “you’ll get to play in front of 5,000-6,000 people.” That kind of crowd experience is huge, and it seems to have sealed the deal. Even some of Butler’s passers, who used to play for John, have noticed Kyle being “a lot more like John than ever before” lately. Talk about the student becoming the master, or at least showing his mentor’s influence.
So, get ready for August 14. This isn’t just an exhibition; it’s a family affair with history, mentorship, and a recent golf humiliation setting the stage. Can Kyle Shondell lead his Bulldogs to a competitive result and start evening the score against his uncle? You know it’s gonna be a must-watch!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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