Record-Breaking Attendance Expected for Purdue Volleyball Matches

For Purdue volleyball coach Dave Shondell, the mission is always to take his program to the next level. Winning teams and high-achieving student-athletes on and off the court are the goal, but so is helping the sport continue its meteoric rise in popularity.

October 19 and 26 mark significant dates in collegiate volleyball history. On these days, Purdue volleyball is set to break the attendance record for a Big Ten Conference regular-season match that has stood for 19 years. Capacity crowds will witness the games when Indiana and Wisconsin visit West Lafayette.

There will be 14,876 attendees for both matches at Mackey Arena, surpassing the previous record by nearly 4,000 fans. Tickets have been sold out for weeks.

“We want to be part of the volleyball explosion that we are seeing in this country,” Shondell stated. “I know the excitement in Mackey on those nights will be off the chart. It’s a great time to be part of the sport’s growth, and we are glad to do our part in raising the bar.”

During Shondell’s 22-season tenure at Purdue, much has been accomplished. His record includes 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, four regional final berths, and 20 All-Americans. He recently became the winningest coach in school history following a victory over Michigan State.

The decision to move matches to Mackey Arena was initially considered a risk, considering the reliable sellouts of Holloway Gymnasium, which seats over 2,400 fans. The target was to attract at least 3,500 fans at Mackey to break even, partly due to additional expenses. However, the response surpassed expectations, with thousands of tickets sold within days, illustrating the demand for tickets exceeded the smaller venue’s capacity.

Purdue won its most recent match at the Mackey Arena against Indiana, securing the Monon Spike trophy.

With returning All-Americans Eva Hudson, Chloe Chicoine, and Raven Colvin, along with a consistent top-10 ranking, the timing is perfect for the program’s return to Mackey Arena.

“We see what has been done at other places and the crowds they are drawing,” Shondell noted. “And the television exposure has grown so much in recent years. We can’t wait to showcase our crowd, our team, and our program to that NBC audience.”

Mackey Arena will also serve as good preparation for the NCAA Tournament, usually held in more spacious venues than Purdue’s Holloway Gymnasium. “It is a little different feel playing in a bigger building,” Shondell said. “It can’t hurt as we look towards the postseason.”

For seniors like Raven Colvin and Ali Hornung, playing in Mackey Arena provides extra excitement. “I am so excited; it’s the perfect event for my senior year and allows us to go out with a bang,” Hornung stated. The larger crowd enhances the experience, not only for the players but also for young fans who may get inspired by such events.

Historically, Purdue broke the NCAA volleyball attendance record with 10,645 fans during a promotion in 1985, which remains a standard at the school.

Chris Peludat, Purdue’s associate athletics director for marketing and fan experience, mentioned future opportunities to host matches at Mackey. “The time was right to return to Mackey this year, and we’ll look for future opportunities,” he said. The decision to return to Mackey will be considered based on logistical capabilities and the primary use of the facility for basketball.