Age: 77
Dave Shoji
Age: 77
Dave Shoji (born December 4, 1946) has been the Head Coach of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Rainbow Wahine Volleyball team since 1975. Under his leadership, the Rainbow Wahine have won four national titles (1979, 1982, 1983, 1987).
As of September 6, 2013 his record was 1,107-185-1, which translates to a winning percentage of 85.7%. On September 6, 2013 he became the winningest coach in Division I women's volleyball history with 1,107 wins, breaking the record formerly held by former UCLA head coach Andy Banachowski. Shoji earned the win in 4 games over Santa Clara University. His teams are known for having great ball control.
Shoji has coached many standout players, including Deitre Collins, Tee Williams, Angelica Ljundquist, Robyn Ah Mow-Santos, Heather Bown and Kim Willoughby.
Shoji played collegiate volleyball at the University of California, Santa Barbara, serving as the team's setter and earning All-American honors in 1968 and 1969. Shoji also is a graduate from the University of Hawaii ROTC program.
Shoji's elder son, Kawika Shoji, was a 3-year starting setter for the Stanford Cardinal men's volleyball team. During his senior year in 2010 Kawika led Stanford to the 2010 NCAA National Championship and was selected as the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) player-of-the-year. Shoji's younger son, Erik Shoji, played as a libero for Stanford's volleyball team. Erik was the first player in AVCA history to earn first-team AVCA honors four years in a row.
Honors
During his long tenure at the University of Hawaiʻi, Shoji has received many coaching honors, including (as of 2010):
- Most wins in division I women's volleyball (1,107) as of 9/6/2013
- Named as coach of the NCAA Division I 25th Anniversary Women's Volleyball Team in 2005
- AVCA National Coach of the Year (2 times)
- AVCA West Region Coach of the Year (10 times)
- WAC Coach of the Year (10 times)
- USA Volleyball All-Time Great Volleyball Coach