Albany State names new volleyball head coach

ALBANY — Longtime Albany State coach Robert Skinner will get to concentrate on one sport this fall.

Skinner, who has doubled as volleyball and women’s basketball head coach since 1991, is handing off volleyball duties to Verniece Graham, an Albany State grad who has been the Golden Rams’ volleyball assistant coach for the past decade. Skinner will remain the women’s basketball head coach.

“I have had a wonderful run as volleyball coach here at Albany State,” Skinner said in a news release from ASU. “I’m looking forward to giving my full attention to women’s basketball and am excited for what’s to come for volleyball under the guidance of Coach Graham.”

Albany State won 10 SIAC titles and claimed eight NCAA Division II playoff berths under Skinner’s direction. Counting five seasons he spent as the head coach at Paine, Skinner has a volleyball career record of 449-298.

“It is an honor to work with a man of such great passion and commitment to this community, institution, program and the development of young women. I am grateful for his leadership and immeasurable impact to the Department of Athletics,” ASU athletics director Sherie Gordon said in the same release. “We look forward to Coach Skinner continuing his success leading the women’s basketball program.”

Graham, a 2008 Albany State graduate who played volleyball and softball, helped guide Albany State to SIAC championships in 2008 and 2009. She has played a key role in the volleyball program’s day-to-day operations, including budgeting, recruiting and scheduling.

“We are excited to see Verniece lead the volleyball program,” Gordon said. “I am confident in her ability to sustain and grow the program and uphold a strong commitment to the academic and social development of our volleyball student-athletes.”

Graham, a two-time Albany State Female Athlete of the Year, was twice named to the All-SIAC second team in volleyball. As a libero/outside hitter, she helped bring three SIAC championships to Albany State (2005, 2006, 2007). As a center fielder for the softball team, she was a first-team All-SIAC performer and was a part of the 2005 SIAC championship team.

Graham has also served as an assistant softball coach at the school.