Macalester’s Stephanie Schleuder, one of volleyball’s most victorious coaches and the only coach at a school outside Division I elected as president of the American Volleyball Coaches Association, is retiring from courtside duties.

“After 34 years of coaching, this just seemed to be the right time,” said Schleuder, who this year became only the third Division III women’s volleyball coach and 23rd coach in any division to reach the 700-victory milestone. She said she would remain on the school’s athletics staff part-time, working with intramurals and special projects.

“Everything must end, but I am excited about the opportunity to continue working at Macalester on a part-time basis, doing some projects for the athletics department. Macalester is a unique place and I continue to value my time here with the people who make it so special. I also have some other interests I have always wanted to pursue, so it will be nice to have some time to do those things.”

Schleuder, who also has held leadership roles within USA Volleyball, began her coaching career at Bemidji State, then coached for seven seasons at Alabama and 13 seasons at Minnesota before becoming Macalester’s coach in 1998.

She was elected to a two-year term as president of the 3,800-member AVCA in 2002.

“Steph has had a remarkable 34-year career which encompasses major accomplishments as a coach, a national leader in the sport of volleyball and a pioneer and advocate for women in intercollegiate sport,” said Kim Chandler, Macalester director of athletics. “I am thankful for Steph’s years of service to Macalester and greatly appreciate and respect her longstanding dedication and commitment to her student-athletes and her profession.”

Schleuder played at Minnesota-Duluth and was the first woman inducted into the school’s athletics hall of fame.

“My years as a college coach have been an incredible ride and I look back with immense fondness at the hundreds of wonderful student-athletes I have had the privilege of coaching,” Schleuder said.