Feb. 7, 2002
Bond Shymansky, an assistant coach the last two years for the Georgia Tech volleyball team, has been named the Yellow Jackets’ head coach, Tech Director of Athletics Dave Braine announced Thursday. Shymansky takes over for Shelton Collier, who announced his resignation on Jan. 28th.
“We are pleased to be hiring Bond Shymansky as our head volleyball coach,” said Braine. “Bond has done a remarkable job the last two years under Shelton Collier, and I feel certain that the volleyball program will continue to experience success with him at the helm.”
Shymansky, who initially joined the Tech coaching staff as an assistant coach in February of 2000, was the team’s defensive coordinator and handled a number of administrative responsibilities. In addition, he helped train Maja Pachale, the 2001 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, and Lauren Sauer, the 2001 ACC Rookie of the Year. Tech experienced two of its finest seasons in the program’s history with Shymansky as an assistant. In 2000, the Jackets finished the season with a 25-8 record, earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, and won the ACC regular season championship. This past season, Tech went 19-8 and earned their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be named head coach at one of the strongest volleyball programs in both the ACC and the nation,” said Shymansky. “My commitment is to continue to build on the level of excellence that has already been established by Shelton. I appreciate the faith that Dave Braine has put in me to continue the success of the program.”
Prior to his arrival at Georgia Tech, Shymansky spent two seasons on the coaching staff at Iowa State, including a four-month stint as the interim head coach in 1999. In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Shymansky has coached in the high school and club ranks. He was the head coach at Iowa City High School from 1996-97, guiding his squad to the state semi-finals in his second season while also earning himself a nomination for Mississippi Valley Conference Coach of the Year.
A native of Iowa City, Iowa, Shymansky began his volleyball career at the University of Iowa, where he participated on the men’s volleyball club team from 1991-1993. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1995 and a master’s degree in secondary English eduction in 1998 from Iowa.
Shymansky, 29, is married to the former Catherine Cruikshank of Iowa City, Iowa. The couple has a six-year old daughter, Corrina, and a three-year old son, Nicholas.
The Yellow Jackets return four starters, including three all-ACC selections, to a squad which will be seeking its third straight NCAA tournament appearance in 2002.
