Jerre McManama Sr.

Jerre McManama, Sr.

76, of Indianapolis, was an icon in the world of college, international, and most recently high school volleyball. Jerre "Mac Senior" died December 22 of a sudden heart attack.

He was born to Ernest Lowell and Ruth (Owens) McManama in Logansport, Indiana on July 1, 1936. He grew up in Young America, IN until starting high school in Ft. Wayne, IN, where he graduated from Ft. Wayne South Side High School in 1954. Coach McManama received his bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Ball State University where he spent a total of 31 years as a professor and volleyball coach.

Jerre was coach for the Ball State Women's Team for 6 years and for the Ball State Men's Team for 16 years. He also served as head coach for the Ball State Men's Soccer team for eight years (1969-1976). Prior to his tenure at Ball State, he coached volleyball at Indiana Tech (Fort Wayne) for seven years. Mac, Sr. was the NAIA National Championship runner-up for the Presidents Volleyball Section "Award of Merit." He was named two-time Coach of the Year in the MIVA Conference. He also served as an All-Star manager eight times for the NCAA. He has been on the USVBA Board of Director's and was a recipient of the George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball Award. Jerre was also the USVCA Board of Director's President. He also served as the USCSC manager for the USA Men's Team in the 1973 World University Games held in the former Soviet Union. He was also on the USCSC Volleyball Committee for eight years. Recently, Jerre received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ball State Men's Volleyball Team. He loved the sport of volleyball and devoted a great deal of his life to the sport.

As a professional, he wrote over 30 books/chapters in books, articles, grants, creative endeavors, and editorial reviews. He gave more than 35 presentations to national and regional teacher education and sport organizations. Through these organizations, Jerre continuously provided professional leadership serving in capacities such as board member, president, chair person, etc. This involvement earned him honors and awards such as National Leader, Award-of-Merit, Hall-of-Fame, Meritorious Service, Governor's Award, and Outstanding Tenured Faculty Award. He received Emeritus status at Ball State University.

Since moving to Indianapolis in 2000, he served as a Supervisor of Physical Education Majors for Ball State University and Indiana University, and Jerre also taught Physical Education at the University of Indianapolis (Department of Kinesiology).

The man who really knew how to put fun in volleyball summer camps; he was known for his closing day ceremonies at Ball State when he'd wear his American flag coaching pants & a head-sized volleyball that fit snuggly over his head. Assisting Dr. Don Shondell, they started the first of its kind volleyball camps that trained and taught a tremendous number of high school volleyball coaches and players in Indiana, as well as college coaches throughout the country.

Hard-pressed to find anyone who met and didn't like him, he was a coach who impressed all with the number of players who say their lives were touched and shaped by his coaching style and caring attitude.

His knowledge of the game was only surpassed by his love of the game and of his players . . . which was only surpassed by his love of his family.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Donna; his children, Kevin McManama, Kerry McManama (Zoe), Kellie McManama (Arnolde) (Jack), Danny Humbert (Tammy), Tim Humbert (Pammy), Kenny Humbert, Jerre L. McManama, Jr.(Cindy); grandchildren, Heather Edwards (Humbert) (Andrew), John Humbert (Sara), Ian McManama, Brittany Arnolde, Brianna Arnolde, Christopher Humbert, Carly Humbert, Jessica Humbert, Courtney McManama, Katie McManama, Colin McManama, Patrick McManama, Murphy McManama; great grandchild, Sullivan Theodore Edwards; brother, Terry McManama (Marla); and his sister, Tina McManama (David Zaslawsky).

Whether you knew him as Coach McManama, Mr. Mac, Sr., Coach Mac, colleague, friend, husband, dad, or just grandpa, you knew him as a man of faith, integrity, and impeccable character.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 27, 2012 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.at St. Jude Catholic Church, 5353 McFarland Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46227 with additional visitation Friday, December 28 from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Roncalli High School Varsity Football Program, 3300 Prague Road, Indianapolis, IN 46227 or to St. Jude Catholic School - tuition assistance, 5375 McFarland Road, Indianapolis, IN 46227. Arrangements by Daniel F. O'Riley Funeral Home . Online condolences may be shared with the family at:

orileyfuneralhome.com