In the fall of 1981, Maryville College was the host of the 1st ever NCAA Division III Final Four Championship for volleyball. A MC volleyball player volunteered to be a ball girl for this prestigious event. Little did she know that Maryville would become her home for the next 25 years and she would be coaching the sport she loves as her career.

After graduation from Hudson High School in Hudson, Florida, Kandi traveled north to the foothills of East Tennessee.

As a MC freshman, she looked forward to competing on the highly competitive volleyball team.

She was a setter and enjoyed passing to the big hitters. Donna Owens, Rachel Reese, Denise Penzkofer, and Dee-Dee Chapman could spike it with the best. The Lady Scots, under the direction of Head Coach Sharon Brown, finished the season at 25-13 and a #10 national ranking.

They were selected to the NCAA National Tournament and flew to Stevens Point, Wisconsin. At the conclusion of her first season, she was recognized as the squads most improved player.

During the spring, Kandi would continue her athletic prowess on the softball diamond. At MC the sport was being played by slow pitch rules and Kandi was the pitcher.

1982 proved to be another solid season for the Scots volleyball program. MC played a challenging schedule and finished with a 29-15 mark. They received another bid to the NCAA National Tournament and would have the pleasure of hosting the event. Kandis enjoyed a productive sophomore year and made a solid contribution to the team’s success.

In the spring, Kandi looked forward to her second year of softball at MC. Coach Pat Ballard could not wait to get his pitcher back on the field.

Kandis’ junior year was full of changes. Her long-time coach and mentor, Sharon Brown, stepped down from her position as volleyball coach. Brenda Ott Amos took over the reigns. Kandis, her teammates, and new coach had a successful season but did not qualify for the post-season.

Kandis was awarded the Coaches Award for her efforts during the season.

Another transition Kandis was forced to make during her junior year was the change to fast-pitch softball. It didn’t take Kandi long to make the adjustment. She became the first pitcher in school history to toss a fast-pitch shutout against Milligan College. She also excelled as a hitter at the plate. At the end of the season, she was presented Offensive MVP honors.

As if she needed more to do, on her off-days, she participated on a young tennis team and earned most improved player accolades for that program.

Kandis’ senior year in 1985 was full of great memories. She was awarded the Coaches Award for the second consecutive year on the volleyball team.

Her softball squad continued to improve during their second year of fast-pitch competition.

For her outstanding four-year contributions to the volleyball, tennis, and softball teams, Kandis was recognized as the 1985 J.D. Davis Award winner. She made her mark in MC Athletic history as a student-athlete, but her true legacy is still in progress.

The May graduate was soon hired the following June to lead the Maryville College Volleyball program. The rest is history.

Here is a short list of the many accomplishments of Coach Schram’s 21 seasons at MC.

In her first year of coaching, Kandi directed her troops to a WIAC conference championship. They also won the  championship in 1989.

In 1989, her 4th season as a head coach, her Lady Scots posted a 34-13 record. For her team’s success, Coach Schram was honored as the South Region Coach of the Year.

In 1990 Coach Schram was selected as an assistant coach in the Olympic Festival for the Deaf Olympic Team.

In 1993, she returned the Lady Scots to NCAA post-season play.

Since that time, she has directed Maryville to five NCAA National Tournaments, including a stretch of four consecutive berths.

Because of her insight of the day-to-day operations of the department and her leadership abilities, Kandis was named the Associate Athletic Director at MC in 1994.

Kandi and her squads have dominated Great South Athletic Conference opponents since the formation of the league in 2000. Her overall record is 79-4 and her teams have won 5 GSAC Volleyball Championships

This week Coach Schram won her 500th match as a coach.

Kandis not only has an impact on the student-athletes at Maryville College, she strives to make a difference in the community as well. Her efforts have earned her numerous civic accolades.

Kandy is presently in her second year as serving as the Independent representative on the NCAA Championship Committee. She is in her 9th year as an NCAA South Regional Advisory Committee member for volleyball.

An outstanding student-athlete, a legendary volleyball coach, an inspirational athletic administrator, and a devoted individual who has given so much of her energy and her life to the well being of MC Athletics.

Please help me congratulate our Wall of Fame Inductee, Coach Kandis Schram.