Daniel Trudgeon tabbed new Shawano volleyball coach

Updated: April 23, 11:30 a.m.

Daniel Trudgeon will be the next varsity volleyball coach at Shawano Community High School.

Trudgeon will replace Lew Worthington, who vacated the position after one season for health reasons. The announcement was made by the high school in a press release April 20.

Trudgeon and Worthington worked together this past fall, when the Hawks went 4-6 during an abbreviated fall season because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

Following the season, Worthington was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December.

“Cancer disrupts so many of our lives, and in my case, I had to let go of two of my dream jobs (pastor at Peace United Church of Christ in Shawano and the head coaching position for Shawano volleyball),” said Worthington. “I love the Shawano community and made so many friends there. Now, I’m living near Lansing, Michigan, to get treatment for my condition.”

Trudgeon said he got full support from Worthington to apply for the job, and now he will do his best to continue building upon what they started this past fall.

Aside from serving as a varsity assistant at SCHS this past fall, Trudgeon’s other coaching experience ranges from middle school to Division II college teams.

He helped coach at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, and also was the president of a men’s club volleyball program while in Big Rapids. He attended high school in Bessemer, Michigan, where he served as a volunteer assistant coach.

Trudgeon believes his year in the program should prove beneficial, instead of having to learn an entirely new program and its players.

“A lot of what went into last year was just learning how the school operates, learning the conference and then learning the athletes,” said Trudgeon, who joined the Shawano community in 2017 and works for KerberRose as a senior auditor. “There wasn’t really much time for anything else when it’s a five-week season compared to a 10-week season.

“With the way last season went, it gave me the opportunity to see the school, learn how they operate, but then also get an idea of what Lew had to do administratively and being the head of the program. We communicated with each other on a lot of it anyway and it will give me a great idea of what is to come.”

Trudgeon said he and Worthington wanted the team to be fundamentally sound this past fall, and to be able to make decisions on the court without always needing coaches input. “Really just having them know the game, know what they need to do out on the court to be successful,” said Trudgeon.

With the team about to embark on a third straight season with a new coach leading the way, Trudgeon is hoping to provide the program with some stability.

The new head coach was expecting to serve as an assistant under Worthington for several seasons and has “no anticipations on leaving the area.”

“I see a lot of potential within this program to do very well and I know that switching between coaches, there’s no consistency,” said Trudgeon. “So I will just have to have the open communication that as long as they are committed, I’m committed to being there.”

Trudgeon added that coaching for Shawano gives him the opportunity to make an impact on athletes as they work through the program, from middle school up.

Before the team takes the court next fall, he’s hoping to build up some excitement before the start of what he hopes in a full and normal fall season.

“I’m thrilled that Dan has been selected as the head coach,” said Worthington. “We worked together last season, and his knowledge, experience, insight, and ability to instruct student-athletes was an amazing asset to our team’s growth. There’s no doubt in my mind that he will continue growing the program.”

Worthington was proud of how the team was able to navigate the strange fall season. One of his favorite highlights from the season was watching Abby Tuma take the court again after surviving cancer.

“Her courage and fight have inspired me to keep fighting in my own personal battle,” said Worthington.

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