Indiana University Athletics
Get To Know Head Coach Sherry Dunbar
2/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Feb. 9, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana volleyball head coach Sherry Dunbar sat down with IUHOOSIERS.com to talk about herself and her transition to Indiana.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
"I would like to visit Italy. I've been fortunate to visit Holland and Australia and would love to go back, but I've heard that Italy is fantastic."
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
"My parents have played a big role in my life in giving me a great foundation to build on and then supporting me in my endeavors."
What are your pre game rituals or superstitions?
"I don't have any real rituals. I usually pray during the national anthem that our team plays to the best of its ability and no one gets hurt on either team."
What is your favorite childhood memory?
"Although a little crazy, I loved the outdoors and one of my favorite memories were our big fishing trips to Canada with family friends. We would take between 15 and 20 people and spend a week up north. Lots of kids went, so we were always finding things to get into and just having a great time."
Something that many people don't know about you is:
"I was a cheerleader in the fifth grade!"
What do you like to do when not coaching volleyball?
"Spend time with my family when possible. I have a dog, Indy, so I enjoy getting away with her. She was named long before I took this job - but maybe that was a sign!"
What is your favorite sports memory?
"Beating North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament while at the College of Charleston has to rank right up there for best memory. We were the first Southern Conference volleyball program to ever win a first-round match."
Name one thing that you wish you were better at:
"Cooking! My specialty is bean burritos."
If someone played you in a movie, who would it be and why?
"Julia Roberts. People have always told me we look alike. I don't really think that's the case, but I'll take it! Maybe they're referring to my big mouth that looks like hers!!"
What attracted you to coming to Indiana to coach?
"Coming back to Bloomington obviously was a big attraction for me, since I have so many family and friends still in this area. It was a comfortable move. Coaching at the highest level, though, was definitely the drive. Knowing the resources available, the conference and the support that was at Indiana made the difference."
What has stuck out to you in your move to Bloomington? What do you think about the community, the school and the environment?
"I love the fact that Bloomington is a college town. People have great pride in the University. You see people all over wearing Indiana shirts and talking about the school. Also, the people within the University and the community couldn't be nicer. They are so helpful and supportive."
What do you think has been your greatest accomplishment in coaching?
"As a head coach at Charleston, I felt like recruiting quality student-athletes that were both successful on the court as well as off the court was a great accomplishment. To be able to have great kids in the program that were enjoyable to be around and had the same high goals that I had for them as far as school was concerned as well as volleyball made my job very appealing."
What aspect of coaching in the Big Ten are you looking forward to the most?
"I love the competition - the fact that you have to bring your best game every weekend. I also love the atmosphere with the great crowds that the Big Ten draws."
What qualities do you look for in a student-athlete?
"When recruiting, I look for student-athletes that have the same passion as I have for being successful. I want players that want to be the best and put in the work ethic to do that. They want to not only do just what is expected of them, but also the extra that will put them over the edge. You have to go above and beyond in this conference to be successful."
As far as coaching, do you try to implement a particular style in your approach? Do you have a specific coaching philosophy?
"I have always been a very defensive-minded coach. I think the type of attitude I'm looking for in athletes starts with defense."
What are your long-term goals for the program?
"I want Indiana University Volleyball to be a program with tradition and excellence. I want there to be pride associated with the type of success we have both on and off the court."
What is the most exciting thing about college volleyball?
"To me the most exciting thing about college volleyball is the non-stop action. Something is always happening - it's just a great spectator sport!"
What can the fans expect from the Hoosiers next season?
"Fans can expect to see a team that is going to fight and play with a purpose."
