Graves Returns to 'Cuse as an Assistant Coach
10/2/2018 2:55:00 PM | Cross Country, Track and Field
A key component to the turnaround of the Syracuse cross country program, former 'Cuse standout Griff Graves '12 G'13 returns to Syracuse to coach his alma mater as an assistant coach in the cross country/track and field programs.
Graves will assist Head Coach Brien Bell with the recruiting and development of the Orange's distance runners. His wife Cassie Graves '12, who also ran here, will assist the team as a volunteer assistant.
"I'm excited to welcome Griff and his wife, Cassie back to campus," Bell said. "Having spent the past several years running post collegiately and then coaching, Griff will be a tremendous asset to our program, students and alumni. Griff understands the spirit and culture of our program as well as anyone. We are all excited to get to work."
Graves joins Bell's staff after serving as operation assistant for the Florida State cross country and track and field programs. In his one-year stint at Florida State, the Seminoles swept the ACC men's and women's indoor track and field team championships, while the men's program doubled up and claimed the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championship as well.
"I really want to thank the Syracuse athletics administration and Coach Bell for bringing me back to Syracuse," Graves said. "I am very blessed to be able to work at my alma mater. I have a visceral passion for what we have built here, and will continue to build under Coach Bell. We want to be great. I hope I can continue to support the development of excellence in our student-athletes - the same excellence that was instilled in me."
Graves helped lead the 'Noles men's cross country team to a fifth-place finish at the ACC Championship as well.
Before joining the FSU staff, Graves served as a volunteer assistant coach at Appalachian State in 2016-17, mentoring the Mountaineers' women's team to a Sun Belt cross country title.
Prior to coaching, Graves ran professionally for ZAP Fitness/Reebok for two years after his graduation from Syracuse. The Abingdon, Virginia native qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. He also finished in the Top-15 in the 12k, 15k, and 20k at the USATF Road Championships.
As a student-athlete at Syracuse, Graves helped start the Orange's run of conference titles, winning three conference championships with the Orange and helping 'Cuse finish in the top-10 at the NCAA Championship for the first time since 1957 as a redshirt senior in 2013.
The Syracuse cross country teams return to action on Oct. 12 at the NCAA Pre-Nationals.
Graves will assist Head Coach Brien Bell with the recruiting and development of the Orange's distance runners. His wife Cassie Graves '12, who also ran here, will assist the team as a volunteer assistant.
"I'm excited to welcome Griff and his wife, Cassie back to campus," Bell said. "Having spent the past several years running post collegiately and then coaching, Griff will be a tremendous asset to our program, students and alumni. Griff understands the spirit and culture of our program as well as anyone. We are all excited to get to work."
Graves joins Bell's staff after serving as operation assistant for the Florida State cross country and track and field programs. In his one-year stint at Florida State, the Seminoles swept the ACC men's and women's indoor track and field team championships, while the men's program doubled up and claimed the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championship as well.
"I really want to thank the Syracuse athletics administration and Coach Bell for bringing me back to Syracuse," Graves said. "I am very blessed to be able to work at my alma mater. I have a visceral passion for what we have built here, and will continue to build under Coach Bell. We want to be great. I hope I can continue to support the development of excellence in our student-athletes - the same excellence that was instilled in me."
Graves helped lead the 'Noles men's cross country team to a fifth-place finish at the ACC Championship as well.
Before joining the FSU staff, Graves served as a volunteer assistant coach at Appalachian State in 2016-17, mentoring the Mountaineers' women's team to a Sun Belt cross country title.
Prior to coaching, Graves ran professionally for ZAP Fitness/Reebok for two years after his graduation from Syracuse. The Abingdon, Virginia native qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. He also finished in the Top-15 in the 12k, 15k, and 20k at the USATF Road Championships.
As a student-athlete at Syracuse, Graves helped start the Orange's run of conference titles, winning three conference championships with the Orange and helping 'Cuse finish in the top-10 at the NCAA Championship for the first time since 1957 as a redshirt senior in 2013.
The Syracuse cross country teams return to action on Oct. 12 at the NCAA Pre-Nationals.
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