For Vernice Graham, ASU job is a dream come true

ALBANY —Albany State University has seen its fair share of proud alumni return to coach various athletic programs, the latest being newly appointed women’s volleyball head coach Verniece Graham.

Graham graduated from ASU in 2008. During her playing days she was a two-time ASU Female Athlete of the Year and played a pivotal role in the Rams’ three SIAC Championships. For Graham, being able to lead a program near and dear to her heart “feels amazing.”

“I’ve been wanting to be a coach since I was in the 6th grade,” she said. “This was my ultimate goal, so once I graduated, I stepped in as the student assistant and from there I just keep moving up and waited for my time.”

In a press release issued by the school, athletics director Sherie Gordon expressed how excited she is for Graham to take over and the direction the team is heading.

“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.”Having served as assistant to former head coach Robert Skinner, Graham said she was able to soak up a good bit of lessons on how to best manage the team.

“His organization skills stuck out to me the most. Him coaching three sports, he’s a great example of time management and discipline,” she said. “He taught me everything I needed to get to where I’m at.”

Graham’s primary goal is to use that knowledge and experience to get the Rams back to championship form. She said the Rams have to play with passion if they hope to be one of the top dogs in the SIAC conference.

“For me it’s about heart,” she said. “You’ve got to have the heart for it and you’ve got to have the determination and dedication. That takes discipline. You have to be able to let go of any outside distractions and get it done in the gym.”

Graham was able to bring in her very first recruiting class over the summer, which includes eight hitters.

The Rams kick the season off with a tri-match on August 25 in Augusta, Ga.