From Colorado College Athletics
Colorado College Vice President and Director of Athletics Lesley Irvine has named Sharon Dingman the 8th head coach in the history of the volleyball program.
Dingman brings 30 years of experience at both the Division I and Division III levels, including the last six seasons at UChicago. Under Dingman's direction, the Maroons enjoyed unparalleled success during her six-season tenure. Her teams posted a combined 144-55 (.724) overall record, a 41-19 (.693) mark in the UAA, and earned five NCAA Tournament appearances. The University of Chicago competes in the University Athletic Association, one of the most competitive conferences in the nation.
"We are thrilled to have Sharon join us to lead our talented Volleyball program," Irvine said. "To attract a coach of Sharon's championship pedigree speaks to the history and culture of success of our Volleyball program. Sharon will not only bring invaluable experience to the team but to our department and campus. She is a seasoned leader who I know will continue to move our program forward and aspire for the highest levels on the court and in the classroom."
Most recently, during the program's history-making 2019 season, UChicago won 23 consecutive matches and was ranked No. 1 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association's Coaches Top-25 poll for the first time in program history. The Maroons also advanced to the regional final of the NCAA Tournament for the first time, and finished the year with a 28-4 ledger and a program-record .875 winning percentage.
In recognition of those accomplishments, Dingman was named AVCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year and was part of the UAA Coaching Staff of the Year for the third time.
The 2019 season was the culmination of a five-year process that included several other achievements and milestones for Dingman and her program. The previous year, she led the Maroons to a 29-5 record, which included her 100th victory at UChicago as well as her 500th career win. In her Windy City debut in 2015, Dingman led the Maroons to a 26-13 and an at-large NCAA tournament berth.
Not only can the Tigers expect team success under Dingman, they also will benefit from her proven ability to develop players. Under Dingman's tutelage, UChicago student-athletes combined for the program's first three AVCA All-America honors as well as 21 all-UAA selections, including 13 first-team selections.
Dingman's Division I experience includes head-coaching stints at the University of Iowa (2008-13), Illinois State University (2000-07), Butler University (1992-99) and Auburn University (1991-92). She also served as an assistant coach at the University of Kentucky (1988-90), Texas Tech University (1985-87) and Northern Michigan University (1984-85).
While at Iowa, her 2008 squad won 14 matches overall and six in the Big Ten, the most by the Hawkeyes since 2000. She led Illinois State to seven winning seasons in eight years, and the 2007 Redbirds earned an at-large NCAA tournament berth for the first time in 10 years.
At CC, Dingman inherits a program that has won three of the last four Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference postseason championships and has made 22 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship.
"To be named the head coach of the Colorado College volleyball team is an honor," Dingman said. "I am eager to be in the gym with the team and begin our championship journeys together.
"It is with much gratitude I say thanks to the committee and all the people I had the fortune to meet on campus. Under the direction of Lesley Irvine, there will be many championship moments at CC and I'm thrilled to a part of that."
Colorado College finished the 2020-21 spring season with a 17-0 record and earned a unanimous No. 1 ranking in the final AVCA Division III Poll.
The Tigers return three starters and their libero this fall, including senior middle hitter Georgia Mullins, the SCAC Player of the Year, sophomore outside hitter Isabella Lipacis, the SCAC Freshman of the Year, and senior outside hitter Isabella Vasquez, a first-team all-conference selection.
Dingman played two seasons at Purdue University where she was a member of Big Ten championship teams in 1979 and 1980, and her final two years at Northern Michigan, where she served as team captain in 1982 and 1983, and was the team's MVP in 1983.
Dingman earned her bachelor's degree in health education from Northern Michigan and completed her master's coursework at the University of Kentucky.