Shell Thompson replaced a hall-of-fame coach and is now being recognized for his own outstanding work.
The Delta secondary school teacher was recently named B.C. Volleyball High School Boys Coach of the Year for his invaluable contribution to the game. Thompson oversees the highly-regarded senior boys program at the Ladner school and serves as Fraser Valley Zone coordinator. This spring, he also coached a U14 boys club team out of South Surrey.
Growing up in Tsawwassen, baseball was Thompson's passion. He was good enough to play at the collegiate level south of the border - first at Grace College in Indiana then at Ball State University.
He put his teaching degree to use in the US before returning to B.C. to work in Merritt before landing closer to home at Delta secondary.
His last taste of competitive volleyball was back in Grade 11 but that didn't stop Thompson from getting involved in the DSS program and helping longtime and legendary coach Barb Salt.
She was the architect behind the Pacers becoming a perennial powerhouse and her tireless efforts were recognized with a Delta Sports Hall of Fame induction in 2008.
Salt eventually retired and Thompson made sure the program's momentum continued on. The 43year-old has been serving as head coach for the past five years. The Pacers were 10th at the provincials back in December.
"I was there to basically fill a hole," said Thompson, trying to downplay his role. "I had a really good mentorship working alongside Barb and have just tried to continue on what she started here."
Thompson also serves as the school's athletic director and is spending his time on the soccer field sidelines these days watching his seven-year-old daughter play.
