Cruz Signs Contract Extension Through 2028

MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State University Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell has announced head men's volleyball coach Donan Cruz has signed a contract extension that will run through 2028.

"I am elated that Coach Cruz has accepted our extension offer," Mitchell said. "Coach Cruz is a purposeful leader of high character who continues to lead our men's volleyball program to significant success. I am thrilled for our student-athletes and fans as we build on our momentum."

Cruz began his historic run with the Cardinals in the 2022 season, leading Ball State to one of its most successful campaigns in program history. BSU boasted a 23-4 overall record and captured both the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) regular season and tournament titles. Cruz's leadership in his first year at the helm helped the Cardinals earn the No. 2 seed and berth straight into the national semifinals of the NCAA Championships. It was the program's first NCAA tournament appearance since 2002, with BSU falling to eventual national champion Hawaii at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, Calif.

For his efforts during his inaugural campaign, Cruz became only the second coach in program history to earn AVCA National Coach of the Year honors while leading the Cardinals, joining 1995 & 1996 honoree Dr. Don Shondell.His leadership helped restore Ball State's historic tradition of success by guiding the program to its first outright MIVA regular season championship since 1997. Ball State went 12-2 in league play in 2022, earning Cruz the title MIVA Coach of the Year.

After his record-breaking first season, Cruz guided the Cardinals to two more MIVA regular season titles in 2023 and 2024. Ball State has earned the top seed in the MIVA Tournament in all three of Cruz's seasons at Ball State (2022, 2023 and 2024).

Cruz, who owns a 64-23 (.735) record as Ball State's head coach, has collected three straight 20-win seasons and was tabbed the MIVA Coach of the Year for a second time in 2024.

I appreciate President Mearns and Jeff Mitchell for their leadership and support of our athletics department," Cruz said. "I am humbled by the opportunity to continue to serve as the head coach of our men's volleyball program. Ball State has such a positive impact on the Muncie community, and my family and I are grateful to be a part of it."

Beyond Ball State, Cruz recently was chosen as an assistant coach for the 2024 United States Men's U21 National Team which took home gold at the 2024 Norceca Continental Championship.

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