Tammy Luksich
Sports Editor
From the Louisville, Ky. to the Panhandle of the West Texas, Tony Graystone has come a long way in his tenure as a volleyball coach. Now, Graystone is moving on to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Graystone announced his resignation from WTAMU Feb. 10 after accepting a similar position with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. TAMU-CC is a member of the NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference.
Graystone began his coachng career teaching high school and club volleyball while in graduate school at the University of Louisville. After applying at various schools, WT offered him an assistant position. Two seasons later, he was promoted to head coach.
“After four seasons of high school ball, it was pretty clear that I wanted to make coaching my profession and the college level was where I needed to be,” Graystone said.
This was Graystone’s tenth season as head coach of Lady Buff volleyball. His career record ranks among the nation’s best teams of winning percentage (.837). Although he is the winningest coach in Lady Buff history (315-61), that accomplishment did not come overnight.
“There are a million different things that make coaching a challenge, but for me it’s trying to manage the team and get the most out of them,” Graystone said. “Between classes, competition, travel and the expectations that are placed on them, there’s a lot of stress on each player.”
In 2007, Graystone guided the team to an undefeated Lone Star Conference season with a 12-0 record and a return trip to the NCAA Elite Eight as the team finished 36-8. Graystone was awarded a fifth LSC Coach of the Year award, as well as being named AVCA Southwest Regional Coach of the year for the fourth time.
“It’s such a privilege to be apart of that history. You never question what he is doing as a coach,” junior middle blocker, Melissa Harper said.
While Coach Graystone believes making history is important, so is the recruitment of new players in the program.
“It’s definitely a process and we don’t always get it right, but it’s easily my favorite part of the job outside of coaching the team,” Graystone said.
Graystone leaves the Lady Buffs to move on to the next level and will continue doing what he loves.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else other than coaching,” Graystone said.
“I get to work in a competitive, result-driven environment with student-athletes surrounded by the energy only a college campus can provide.”
Graystone will be honored with a reception hosted by the Buffalo Club on Thursday, Feb. 19. The reception will be held in “The Box” from 5-7 p.m. where light snacks will be provided.