Albany, GA – Albany State University is proud to announce that Head Volleyball Coach Verniece Graham has been named to the 2024-25 Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS) Volleyball Coaches Watchlist. This prestigious recognition highlights Coach Graham's exceptional leadership and impact in collegiate volleyball.

The ABIS Volleyball Coaches Watchlist, now in its fourth year, identifies and celebrates outstanding Black coaches making significant contributions to the sport. The 2024-25 list includes eight head coaches, 10 assistant coaches, and seven graduate assistants and operations personnel, reflecting the increasing interest, participation, and employment opportunities within the sport.

"I'm so proud of Coach Graham for being named to the ABIS Volleyball Watchlist," said Dr. Kristene Kelly, Director of Athletics. "She's an incredible coach, a true student of the game, and a shining example of excellence at Albany State!"

Ashley Preston, Head Volleyball Coach at the University of New Orleans and Chair of the ABIS Volleyball Watchlist Committee praised the growing interest and opportunities in volleyball, stating, "We want to help move the needle in this space by recognizing coaches who are having a significant impact in their roles at their institutions."

Gary Charles, Founder and CEO of ABIS, emphasized the importance of showcasing Black coaches in volleyball, noting, "We must continue to showcase the greatness of Black coaches, especially in a sport where we are represented at a lower percentage."

Coach Verniece Graham, a former two-sport student-athlete and SIAC champion at Albany State has led the Lady Golden Rams with distinction, recently achieving her 100th career win as head coach. Her inclusion on the ABIS Watchlist further underscores her influence as a leader and advocate for racial equity in sports.

Albany State University congratulates Coach Graham on this well-deserved honor and thanks her for her unwavering commitment to the Lady Golden Rams and the greater volleyball community.

About ABIS
Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS) is dedicated to addressing racial equity in sports and creating opportunities for Black professionals in athletic administration, coaching, and leadership. The ABIS Volleyball Coaches Watchlist serves as a vital resource for athletic administrators and search firms to identify and promote exceptional talent in the field.

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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football with all teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.