Volleyball has been in his heart and home since the day he was born. His father, Arnie, has played and coached volleyball ever since Lloy can remember. It was Arnie that really led Lloy to the game that would make him who he is today. Lloy began playing at a very young age, maybe 4 or 5. "I remember dad setting up pillows along the floor in the family room. Then, he and I would play one-on-one volleyball with a balloon. Slowly, I progressed to a heavier ball and more organized games."
In the summer, Lloy would play on junior teams, and his dad would get a dozen boys his age together once a week to practice. They would compete in AAU junior nationals in Lisle, Illinois every year, which was the highlight of Lloy's year. One week every summer, Lloy was able to showcase his talents.
Since there was no high school volleyball in Indiana, Lloy only played in the summer. In 1987, Lloy made his first breakthrough, at the age of 15, by getting an automatic position on the Olympic Festival. Ball was the youngest player to ever compete in the competition. He was on the same team as Kent Stephes and other players who were in college. In 1989, he played on the Olympic Festival once again.
In 1988, Ball had his first National Team experience. Scott Fortune went down with a bad ankle sprain, so Head National Team coach, Bill Neville called and 
asked Ball to go with the team to Japan. Once again, Ball became the youngest player ever to compete with the National team.
Lloy played for his father at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) for four years. During those four years, they went to three NCAA Final Fours. During his collegiate career, Lloy finished with school records for career assists (6,526) and service aces (167). Ball was named NCAA Freshman of the Year in 1991, an All-American the next three years, and MIVA Conference Most Valuable Player of the Year twice.
Since June of 1994, Ball has been full-time with the USA National team. He has competed in three World Leagues, two World Championships, two World Cups, two Norceca Zone Championships, and soon to be two Olympic games. Ball was named the Best Server in the World in 1995 and the Best Setter in the World in 1999.
Lloy has played three years with the Toray Arrows in the Japanese Professional League. This year, he will play for Modena in Italy.
Success has been the constant that has followed Arnie Ball and catapulted his dream of building a powerhouse men's volleyball program in the midwest.
That drive to reach the top, and eventually bring the NCAA National Championship to his Division II program has been the instrument that has led his clubs to capture or share five of the last eight Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Championships -- including NCAA Final Four appearances in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1999.
This year will bring a new challenge for the coach as he continues to build a winning foundation in IPFW's quest to win the National Championship.
During the 1999 season, Ball guided the Dons to a 23-4 overall record including a 12-2 mark in the MIVA. In one of the best starts ever for the Mastodons, IPFW went on a tear winning 14 of its first 16 matches. IPFW finished the 1999 regular season as co-Champions of the MIVA along with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Dons then challenged the rest of the MIVA and won the MIVA Tournament Championship to earn a trip to the Final Four after a four year absence. At the Final Four in Los Angeles, IPFW lost a grueling, five-set semifinal match to Long Beach State to be denied a chance at the National title.
Entering his 20th year at the helm of the men's volleyball program, Ball has amassed a record of 331-222, which ranks him 6th on the all-time NCAA wins chart. Ball also ranks 11th on the all time winning percentage list.
Ball coached the IPFW women's volleyball team from 1981-1988, winning the Great Lakes Valley Conference four times and earning a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament in 1987 and 1988. He ended his eight year stint with the women's program with an overall record of 231-102.
A graduate of Ball State, Ball earned bachelors and masters degrees in physical education in 1967 and 1971, respectively. During his undergraduate years, he 
enjoyed an outstanding playing career, lettering three years and earning All-MIVA honors twice. During his senior year, Ball was chosen as team captain and also named team most valuable player.
Ball has also competed as a player in the United States Volleyball Association for many years, gaining numerous awards and honors, including All-American recognition in 1990 and 1991.
After his graduation from Ball State, Ball took a teaching position at New Haven (IN) High School. He then moved to Harding High School for the next eight years, where he coached boys and girls volleyball. He led his boys teams to an overall record of 74-19 with three Indiana Volleyball Coaches Association Championships. His girls teams posted a mark of 75-32 and captured one sectional title and a pair of conference crowns.
Ball also has a wealth of international coaching experience to his credit. In 1983, he served as head coach of the North Squad at the National Sports Festival in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Then in 1985, Ball served as an assistant for the World University Games men's team in Kobe, Japan. In 1987, he directed the North team to the title at the 1987 Olympic Festival, and in 1988, he served as the director of the USVBA Junior Elite Camp in Boulder, Colorado.
Ball then served as head coach of the 1989 World University Games team, before being selected as an assistant coach for the 1991 World University Games team. In the 1990 Olympic Festival, Ball coached his team to a silver medal. He also served as the head coach for the South squad at the 1993 Olympic Festival in San Antonio, Texas, and won a gold medal coaching the North team at the 1994 Olympic Festival in St. Louis, Missouri. Again in 1997, Ball served as an assistant coach for the World University Games team.
