MHU Mourns Death of Coach Tony Fontanelle

Mars Hill University Mourns Death of Volleyball Coach Tony Fontanelle

The Mars Hill University community is mourning the loss of longtime volleyball coach Raoul “Tony” Fontanelle, who passed away February 15, 2021. Fontanelle was 60 years old. Originally from Waldwick, New Jersey, Fontanelle joined the Mars Hill coaching ranks in 2004. At the time of his death, he was the second-longest tenured head coach in the school’s athletics program. At Mars Hill, Fontanelle coached one Academic AllAmerica First Team studentathlete, one South Atlantic Conference Scholar Athlete, two first-team All-SAC players, eight second-team All-SAC players, and six SAC All- The Mars Hill University

Tony Fontanelle Freshman honorees. community gathered on Lunsford Commons for a time of mourning after Fontanelle’s unexpected passing in mid-February. Charity Ray Dr. Harley Jolley

MHU Director of Athletics Rick Baker said, “Tony was a great friend and a great coach. He cared deeply for his players and loved coaching. Tony was always willing to help wherever needed. He was devoted to coaching his teams and serving our university.” Before joining Mars Hill, Fontanelle coached at LeesMcRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina, where he led the Bobcats to a conference championship and NCAA Championship Tournament appearance. Prior to Lees-McRae, he led the Bloomfield College, New Jersey, Deacons to back-to-back conference and regional titles, with two appearances in the NAIA Nationals. Before joining the college coaching ranks, Fontanelle was a successful coach and technical director with Cut Shot Volleyball Club in New Jersey. Fontanelle is survived by his mother and two brothers.

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Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame, also in 2008; and in the Tusculum Hall of Fame in 2018. Hoffmeyer also served as chair of NCAA DII Women’s Golf Committee from 2000-2003 and was the NCAA DII Women’s National Golf Championship Tournament Director from 2000-2003. During his college days at Mars Hill, Hoffmeyer was a three-year letter winner in track and field, where he participated in five events per meet. He held school records in four events upon graduation in 1968. Hoffmeyer also lettered in basketball one year. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Linda Wood Hoffmeyer; children: Zac Hoffmeyer and Courtney Mollman; and five grandchildren. Mars Hill University lost two more long-time members of the campus community this past fall: Charity Ray, retired library and administrative staff, on October 2; and Dr. Harley Jolley, professor emeritus of history, on November 23. Mars Hill, the Magazine did features on the lives and legacies of these individuals in past issues. Those features are currently available on the magazine “Extras” page, at

mhu.edu/extras.