EIVA Hall of Fame Inductee: Dr. William T.
Odeneal
1985: Dr. Odeneal & SUNY-New Paltz
Team
1986: Dr. Odeneal & SUNY-New Paltz Team
In the weeks leading up to the EIVA Championship match,
EIVAvolleyball.com will feature each of the six inductees into the
league’s inaugural Hall of Fame Class. The EIVA is in its
40th year as the leading men’s volleyball
conference in the east after being founded as the Eastern
Collegiate Volleyball League (ECVL) in 1971 and changing its name
in 1985.
The late Dr. William T. Odeneal is considered a pioneer in the
development of intercollegiate volleyball. In 1949 he became the
nation’s first full-time volleyball coach at Florida State
and his Seminole squads were the nation’s best in the 1950s,
earning three National Championships. He then transitioned to SUNY
New Paltz where he is still the winningest coach with 204 victories
from 1967-87.
“Coach Odeneal had many qualities that made him an
exceptional coach and person,” said Tony Bonilla, a former
player who succeeded Odeneal at SUNY New Paltz and is now an
assistant. “His easy going personality along with his deep
knowledge of life made him an influential individual on and off the
court. I remember his day to day interaction with people and how he
fostered excellence. He empowered us and developed
confidence.”
Odeneal not only shared his volleyball knowledge with his teams,
but with the entire volleyball community. He co-authored the book
“Beginning Volleyball” in 1962 along with several other
articles and books, served on many national athletic bodies and was
a charter member of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament Committee.
“I contribute a great deal of my personal success to his
influential personality,” said Bonilla. “He served a
father figure in many instances. His influence was so profound that
he became my best man at my wedding. I approach life in many
instances based on his philosophy.”
Odeneal led the 1985 SUNY New Paltz team to a 34-2 record that
culminated in an ECVL Championship, and he was inducted into the
Florida State Hall of Fame in 1985.
“Coach Odeneal had the ability to turn you on (on the court)
in seconds and get the best out of you,” stated Bonilla.
“After he retired from coaching volleyball at SUNY New Paltz,
I was his successor for approximately eleven years. My coaching
approach is reflective of his teaching. He always had everlasting
quotes and messages that stuck with us. ‘You gatta to
wanna it’ - a simple quote as such that translated on the
volleyball court and in life… ‘If you are going to do
something worthwhile, do it with passion.’”
Story Courtesty of Jen Armson-Dyer, EIVA Communications
Director
Follow EIVA Action @EIVAvolleyball