Meet Our Varsity Volleyball Coach Dr. Mark List

Sioux Falls Lutheran School is pleased to welcome Dr. Mark List as our varsity volleyball coach during the 2026-27 school year.

A father of three SFLS students, Dr. List first began coaching volleyball when his oldest daughter started playing on a local team in elementary school. He’s gained a variety of experience and assisted with various camps, youth teams, and middle school volleyball at SFLS over the past six years. He thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to combine faith, fun, and hard work on the volleyball court at SFLS, and he looks forward to leading our varsity team through the upcoming season.

Check out the Q&A below to learn more about Dr. List and his passion for coaching athletes of all ages.

Tell me a bit about yourself and your family.
I am originally from Beemer, NE, and met my wife, Jess, while we both went to college at Augustana. We have three amazing kids at SFLS: Kenna, a Sophomore; Joe, an 8th grader; and Lydia, a 5th grader. 

Tell me about education and work experience.
I went to Augustana and was a Biology major. After college, I went to the University of Nebraska Medical Center and earned my medical degree. I finished up my family medicine residency in Sioux Falls.

I had a ton of different jobs growing up. In high school, I worked at the local golf course and Pizza Ranch. I spent a summer before college working at a Tyson Foods meat packing plant. In college, I spent four years working in biological lab research. The summer before medical school, I worked at my brother-in-law’s electric company. I’ve been a family physician at Avera in Sioux Falls for the past 12 years, while also serving part-time as Medical Information Officer for Avera Medical Group and as an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, where I teach medical students. 

How did you decide to begin coaching volleyball?
When Kenna was in 3rd grade, she was on a random EmBe volleyball team, and I figured I could help out a little since I had played a lot of intramural and men’s league volleyball in college. Eight years, multiple youth volleyball rec/SFLS/club teams, countless YouTube videos, and several coaching clinics later—and here I am! I’ve been assisting with youth teams, camps, and middle school volleyball at SFLS since the varsity program started six years ago, but only at the high school level for the past three seasons.

Tell me a bit about your coaching style.
I strongly believe volleyball first and foremost needs to be fun. However, volleyball is hard work. We have to be willing to show up, work hard, get better, and show the love of Jesus to our teammates every day. I’m energetic for an old man, and I bring passion to each practice.

What do you enjoy most about working with athletes?
I love witnessing the growth of these young athletes. Physically, mentally, and spiritually, seeing them develop from tiny middle schoolers into world ready, faith secure young women has been worth every minute. I love the competition, and I love seeing shy, timid kids gain confidence in themselves and their abilities–it makes me so proud. I also love seeing these girls thrive in various areas within our small school community. From the classroom to One-Act competitions to basketball, track, golf, and other athletics–they can thrive in so many areas off the volleyball court, which makes this small school environment so unique. 

What is your favorite Bible verse?
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” –Matthew 16:24

This verse from Matthew on taking up our cross and following Jesus isn’t a suggestion, it’s a daily command straight from Jesus himself. My cross exists in faithfully living out my vocations as a doctor, a coach, a husband, and as a father. We are going to suffer through some really difficult times at work, in our marriages, and in our families; and despite those trials and tribulations, we are called to sacrifice our comfort to serve and protect those God has placed around us. Loving others with a sacrificial love as Christ loved us first. Jesus does not promise us a perfect life free from stress by following him. On the contrary, ours is a call to persevere and work hard in service through our daily vocations. 

About Sioux Falls Lutheran School
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is a family community committed to developing capable Christian servant-leaders in a complex world who are World Ready and Faith Secure. We are passionate about giving our students the tools they need to be successful academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We strive to accomplish this goal by maintaining high academic standards, employing excellent teachers, and upholding a Christian worldview drawn from Scripture. Ultimately, our vision is to partner with families in preparing children, as led by the Holy Spirit, for faithful and bold use of their God-given gifts to navigate and serve a complex world with the love of Christ.