Jim Stone Selected to 2021 AVCA Hall of Fame Class
8/19/2021 11:15:50 AM | Women's Volleyball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced the 2021 Hall of Fame class. Former Ohio State Head Coach Jim Stone was among the four inductees. The 2021 inductees will be formally recognized during the Jostens Coaches Honors Luncheon on Dec. 16 at 12:30 p.m. at the AVCA Convention in Columbus.
“Jim Stone’s recognition into the AVCA Hall of Fame wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when,” said current Ohio State Head Coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg. “To be recognized in the actual city where he built the foundation of the Ohio State Women’s Volleyball program makes this honor extra special.”
Stone spent 26 years at the helm of Ohio State women’s volleyball , arriving in Columbus in 1982 and serving as head coach through the 2007 season, making him the longest tenured coach in program history. The four-time AVCA Region Coach of the Year and four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year laid the foundation for the successful program the Buckeyes have grown accustomed to today.
Stone led the Buckeyes to 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the semifinals in 1991 and 1994. He was inducted in the OSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012, joining nine of his former players. Stone coached 17 AVCA All-Americans and two AVCA National Players of the Year. Current Head Coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg played for four years under Stone, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sport and leisure studies in 2001.
“Jim knew how to create a competitive and winning environment at every program he coached and I feel fortunate to have spent my collegiate career learning from one of the best minds in the game,” said Oldenburg. “His teachings came full circle for me when I was an assistant coach on his staff in 2019 for the USA U18 Girls World Championships and even more so now as leader of our Buckeyes. I am so happy for Jim and I look forward to his celebration in December in Columbus! Go Bucks!”
Ohio State accumulated a 531-294 (.644) overall record and a 297-177 (.627) Big Ten record during Stone’s time in Columbus. Stone ranks fourth in Big Ten history in both overall and conference wins. Outside of OSU, Stone served as a United States Olympic Festival Coach three times (1981, 1986, 1990) and coached at the 1999 World University Games.
Find more information about the 2021 AVCA Hall of Fame class HERE.
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