IOWA CITY, Iowa -- After guiding the University of Iowa volleyball team to one of the best seasons in program history in 2016, head coach Bond Shymansky has received a contract extension through the year 2022.
“Bond has moved the volleyball program forward from his first day,” said Henry B. And Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Gary Barta. “Our volleyball program has improved its performance on the court in overall and Big Ten victories, and put the program in the NCAA Tournament conversation. As important, the program has grown in many other areas, in regards to visibility, home attendance, and representing the entire department in a positive manner throughout the community and the state. We are all excited about this volleyball season and the direction of the program in the coming years.”
“I am so grateful to be a Hawkeye and thankful for the support and leadership that Gary Barta has given me and the volleyball program,” said Shymansky. “I am such a proud Iowa graduate and want to give everything I can to continue to build our volleyball program into a national powerhouse.”
Since arriving on campus in 2014, Shymansky has instilled a cultural shift, challenging his teams to exhibit True Mental Toughness both on and off the court.
In 2016, Shymansky led Iowa to a 19-13 (9-11 B1G) record, marking the program’s first winning season since 2000. Iowa’s 19 wins were the most for the program since 1994, while its nine conference wins are the most for the squad since 2000.
Shymansky has renewed excitement surrounding the Hawkeye volleyball program in his first three years at the helm. After setting several top-10 attendance records in 2015, Iowa ranked in the top-15 in the nation for overall attendance in 2016 as a program-record 30,695 fans packed Carver-Hawkeye Arena. On Nov. 19, Shymansky’s squad demolished the single-match attendance record, as 4,131 fans watched the Hawkeyes take on top-ranked Nebraska.
Throughout his tenure, Shymansky has also emphasized the importance of academic success. He has coached 13 student-athletes to 17 Academic All-Big Ten honors.
“I grew up right here in Iowa City and always knew how to fight for Iowa,” Shymansky added. “Now I get to fight for Iowa every single day alongside great people. I know that we have everything we need to be successful and we will continue our program mission of True Mental Toughness. My coaching journey is not complete yet, but I sure hope to retire as a Hawkeye some day in the distant future.”
Shymansky’s squad opens the 2017 home slate on Friday, hosting the Hawkeye Classic in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa hosts Nebraska-Omaha at 12 p.m. (CT) before taking on Coastal Carolina 7 p.m.