MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Milwaukee Area Technical College is proud to announce that women's volleyball head coach Shel DeLisle has been named one of two winners of the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association–The Marines Battles Won Award, a national honor recognizing resilience and perseverance within the sport.

This year, the AVCA selected 15 individuals for recognition — 10 student-athletes and five coaches — from across the country, each with their own unique compelling stories of fortitude, relentlessness, and impact. DeLisle was chosen as one of two award winners, joining  Friends University student-athlete Grace McClintock. Both of the honorees will be formally presented with the award during the AVCA Convention in Kansas City this December.

"I think this award, and the other honorees' stories, really drive home the fact that we never really know what another person is going through," DeLisle said. "And to see what all of these other athletes and coaches experienced, yet still kept moving forward to accomplish incredible feats, should inspire everyone. I know that it inspired me. I am honored to be included with the other nominations."

DeLisle was selected for her extraordinary recovery from a career-altering spinal injury sustained during her years as a firefighter. Around 2011 or 2012, a roof collapsed during a firefighting operation, causing severe spinal trauma. The injury was compounded by a misdiagnosis and lack of timely treatment, which allowed a bone fragment to lodge in her spine. By 2018, her condition worsened, leading to a series of falls that further eroded her mobility. She eventually underwent multiple surgeries to stabilize her spine, followed by months of intensive physical therapy to rebuild strength and restore movement.

DeLisle's honor as one of two national winners underscores both her resilience and her commitment to the values of Milwaukee Area Technical College. Her journey serves as an inspiration not only to coaches and student-athletes across the country, but to anyone who has faced hardships in their lifetime. MATC is proud to celebrate her achievement and looks forward to the continued impact she will have on her student-athletes, the program and the volleyball community at large.

"I hope that my story speaks to others in a couple different ways," DeLisle said. "I have always been fortunate to be a part of great teams: Marquette volleyball and track, then the fire service, then the teams who work in humanitarian and disaster causes. I work to build this sense of team in every group of which I am a part. I hope others around me feel that and learn to build the same. It matters who you surround yourself with. Another message I hope others hear is that there is always hope. One of my friends, who was around for that whole struggle of finding the right doctor, saw the video. He knew how hard moving was for me and how much pain I was in and remarked that he had known it was a dark time for me. He was one of the people, along with my husband, daughter, assistant coaches, and players, who consistently showed up. It was dark. It would have been easy to just exit the pain, but those who stuck around made me feel like there was still something for me to offer. When it's dark, it's hard to remember there are people who will be the light so you can move forward. I hope those in the dark realize they aren't alone."

To view the full list of honorees and the schools they represent, click [HERE].