By Patrick Lujan
Inalahan’s Donan Cruz has nothing left to prove at the NAIA volleyball level.
After an undefeated 27-0 season which culminated in another national championship in April, collegiate coach Cruz is taking the leap up to Division I to head the Ball State University men’s volleyball program. It is the highest level of any coach born and raised on Guam.
“Leaving Grand View was a very tough decision for my family and I,” Cruz told GSPN. “The university and the volleyball community in the state of Iowa has really embraced me as a person and men’s volleyball as an emerging sport here.”
Ten successful years with the Grand View Vikings saw Cruz and the Iowa team win their first two national titles ever (2018 and 2021), eight conference titles and four national coach of the year awards. Having success year after year only shined the light brighter on Cruz and his coaching career.
Two states and 521 miles due east is where the Ball State Cardinals came calling.
With retiring head coach Joel Walton exiting after 23 years of leading the Cardinals, the time couldn’t have been more perfect for the 37-year-old Cruz to make the leap.
“The opportunity to be a part of a very storied history at Ball State was also something I though was very unique. I will be only the fourth coach in Cardinal history. My goal of going to Ball State is to make my mark on a program that I think can be a national contender.”
Ball State plays in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association in Muncie, Indiana just north-east of Indianapolis. The top conference contenders are the likes of Ohio State, Loyola Chicago and reigning champion Lewis.
“For me to compete at the highest level is what made this such an attractive place to coach. The facilities are excellent and the staff within the athletic department that I had a chance to already meet has been nothing but great!”
It’s a storied program as Cruz mentioned with 14 conference championships, but none since 2002. Cruz plans to change that. Completing an impressive 211-55 cumulative record with Grand View, his credentials are proof of excellence and Ball State has all the confidence in Guam’s son to take the Cardinals to the next level.
NOTE: Cruz has recruited Guam top high school players Devin Maluwelmeng, Eric Ada and Aiden McDonald to play for Grand View over the years.
GPS Sports Calendar
March 2024
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
1st
ISA SOFTBALL
IIAAG MS GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for March
2nd
HS RUGBY
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
2nd
Events for March
4th
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ISA SOFTBALL ALL-ISLAND COACHES MEETING
Events for March
5th
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for March
8th
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYOFFS
Events for March
9th
ISA SOFTBALL FINALS
HS RUGBY FINALS
Events for March
9th
Events for March
14th
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
Events for March
16th
Events for March
17th
Events for March
18th
Events for March
19th
Events for March
20th
Events for March
22nd
Events for March
24th
Events for March
25th
Events for March
27th
Events for March
28th
Events for March
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for March
30th
Basketball
TENORIO NAMED IIAAG HOOPS MVP
Basketball
TENORIO NAMED IIAAG HOOPS MVP
Volleyball
CHEN, EUGENIA ARE EMPRESSES OF THE BEACH
COMING SOON …
4th Quarter Sports
- Guam Marathon