What led to this success by a first-year coach? It was a combination of new recruits, of a new conditioning program instituted by head trainer Mike Curtin, and of the new mentor's work ethic. The team had to come together quickly, with the Division I Nanook Classic tournament scheduled for early September. Not only did they groove -- they won the tournament for the first time in its four-year history!

Shoemaker came to Fairbanks from Division I Wichita State University where he led the Shockers to 243 wins during his 17-year tenure. He left WSU as the most successful coach in their program's history.

While at the helm of Shocker volleyball, Shoemaker was the first head coach to lead Wichita State to four consecutive berths in the conference tournament. Shoemaker was the first Shocker mentor to lead the team to five straight winning seasons. Additionally in 1992, under Shoemaker, the Shockers ranked in the Mideast Region for the first time by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

In 1991, Shoemaker earned Gateway Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Shockers to a 25-13 record, marking the most victories ever by a WSU volleyball team in a season. Between 1991 and 1999, Shoemaker led WSU to three 20-win seasons, two 19-win seasons and six Missouri Valley Conference/Gateway Conference tournament appearances.

While at Wichita State, Shoemaker's teams performed well in the classroom as well as on the court. In 1999, Shoemaker's squad posted a grade point average of 3.55, the best in the nation among Division I schools. In 1993, 1994, 1998 and 1999, his team was one of six Division I programs honored by the AVCA for posting a grade point average of 3.3 or better for the year.

Prior to his appointment at WSU, Shoemaker served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Missouri, for three seasons. He helped lead the Tigers to a 26-6 record and their first national ranking. Shoemaker began his coaching career at the Blue Valley Activity Center in his hometown of Independence, MO. There his teams claimed one championship and eight top-five finishes in AAU and USVBA junior national tournaments. Twenty of his players earned All-American honors.

In addition to coaching on the collegiate level, Shoemaker has served as a coach and administrator for the USA Junior National Program of the United States Volleyball Association. Shoemaker coached the Kansas representative at the USVBA Junior Olympics in 1989 and 1990. He also served as coordinator of the Mid-America Junior National Team from 1980-83 and was assistant director for the USVBA National Development Camps from 1978-83.

Shoemaker competed on collegiate and open teams for 23 years. He played collegiately for Graceland College and Missouri as an undergraduate and for Western Illinois while in graduate school.

Shoemaker, his wife Dianne, and their eight-year-old son Tanner reside in Fairbanks.