McDole has been at the helm of the Graceland women's volleyball program for the last 29 seasons amassing an 802-417 win/loss record and 21 consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins. During 19 of those years, he has led the squad to a Heart of America Athletic Conference regular, pre or post season title and has been named the HAAC Coach of the Year 12 times. McDole earned his 800th win of his coaching career this season with a victory over Clark University on October 2. A post season qualifier in all 29 seasons, his Yellowjacket program has produced 22 All-America selections and 36 All-America scholar-athletes. His 2010 squad was awarded the American Volleyball Coaches' Association Team Academic award for a team grade point average exceeding 3.30. Stew was inducted into the Graceland Athletics Hall of Fame in October of 2007.

Through McDole's leadership Graceland has been one of the summer homes for USA Volleyball National Development Camps since 1972. Literally dozens of "name" coaches nation and world-wide have served as staff, touching the volleyball lives of thousands of high school and adult players over this 39 year span. Stew, as he is addressed by players and colleagues alike, is a 1965 Graceland graduate; he later completed both a masters and a doctorate in leisure studies at Indiana University-Bloomington. He spent two years as Director of Athletics for Graceland and chaired the Board of Governors of the Heart of America Athletic Conference during that stint. Part of his present assignment includes teaching leisure services administration. McDole also served a seven year term as the academic chair for the then Division of Health and Education.

In June of 2005 McDole was awarded the Dr. Harold T. Friermood "Frier" Award, USA Volleyball's highest honor. McDole is an elected officer of USA Volleyball where he served as a board member for 10 years and subsequently as corporate treasurer for a total of eleven years and executive vice president for four. USA Volleyball recognized him with the George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball Award in 1978.

Graceland is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). McDole has functioned as an NAIA national volleyball rater for 23 years serving twice as the national rating chair. He was the long time volleyball chair for NAIA Region V (10 years) and served 14 years as an officer of the NAIA Volleyball Coaches Association (twice as President). Stew continues to chair the national recognition committee for NAIA volleyball sharing annually in All-America, Player and Coach of the year selections. He has served on the tournament committee for the NAIA National Volleyball Championships 19 times acting as tournament chair 11 of those years. In 1986 he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame.

McDole served 18 years on the Board of Directors for the American Volleyball Coaches Association as the NAIA Representative and was a member of the AVCA Executive Committee. In February 1990 McDole was the cover feature for the AVCA Journal "Coaching Volleyball. He received the AVCA Founders award in 1997 and in 2003 was one of 23 members of the inaugural Hall of Fame class inducted by the association (AVCA).

Stew and wife Patty are parents to three children: Mica, Chad and Corey (all Graceland grads). The McDoles also own and operate "Country Plus" a gift and Hallmark store in Lamoni.