Ball State University Athletics
Raynee DeGrio Named Assistant Track & Field / Cross Country Coach
August 18, 2015 | Cross Country, Track & Field
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Raynee DeGrio, who has spent the past two seasons working with the distance runners at national contender Syracuse, has been named an assistant coach for the Ball State track & field and cross country programs, according to first-year head coach Brian Etelman. DeGrio, a Minnesota native with previous coaching experience at Baylor, will oversee the distance program and recruiting efforts for the Cardinals.
“I could not be more excited to have Raynee on staff as our distance coach,” Etelman said. “In hiring Raynee, we have made a commitment to be legitimate contenders in both cross country and track & field from this point forward. Her coaching pedigree is extremely impressive, as she has spent time on staff of two of the most prominent distance programs in the NCAA. Originally from the Midwest, she will bring familiarity and passion to the areas we will heavily recruit. The single most important piece in building the culture of our program is the passion, vision and cohesion of our staff and student-athletes. Raynee will carry out the vision at the highest level, and with cross country season right around the corner, we cannot wait to get started.”
As a member of the Syracuse staff, DeGrio assisted with the daily operations and implementation of training programs for the Orange distance program. Her efforts helped guide the men's program to a fifth-place showing at the 2014 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, while the women's squad finished 24th at the meet. During the 2014-15 track & field season, DeGrio helped the Syracuse distance runners earn a total of seven All-America honors between the indoor and outdoor campaigns. She was also heavily involved in the recruiting process for the Orange and assisted with team travel and meet preparations.
“I am incredibly excited to begin working with coach Etelman and the rest of the Ball State athletics department,” DeGrio said. “The entire department was incredible during my interview process, especially Pat Quinn, Dr. Karin Lee and Joe Hernandez. I feel that with the support provided by the administration and coach Etelman's vision for the program, Ball State can achieve tremendous success in the Mid-American Conference and at the national level. I am excited and honored to be given the opportunity to help begin a new era in Ball State track and field and cross country. I am also thrilled to be back in the Midwest and to begin recruiting and coaching high-achieving student-athletes here at Ball State."
Prior to arriving at Syracuse, DeGrio spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Baylor. In working with the Bears' distance program, she helped coach six All-Big 12 performers in cross country and track & field. She also helped Baylor distance runners qualify for the NCAA West Regional on six occasions, while completing her master's degree is sport pedagogy and serving as a graduate teaching assistant in the Health, Human Performance and Recreation Department.
As a student-athlete, DeGrio was a four-time NCAA Division III National Championship Qualifier for St. Thomas [Minn.] University. A two-time team captain, she helped the Tommies win 10 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles - four indoor, four outdoor and two cross country. A middle distance and steeplechase specialist, DeGrio finished her career as a 10-time All-MIAC honoree.
A native of Grand Rapids, Minn., DeGrio graduated from St. Thomas with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in chemistry.
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