PROGRAM NEWS INTERVIEW WITH TYRONE MCGRIFF By Michael Harrison
through multiple successful seasons and earning a Coach of the Year Award his first year as a track coach, Coach McGriff was offered an athletic director position at FSUS. After three years as an athletic director, Coach McGriff has recently begun a new position at his school as the director of programs and community development.
What led you to go to FSU for your master’s degree after attending FAMU for undergrad? While I was at FAMU, I told myself that I wanted to get a complete mix of both the traditional college experience and the professional development experience. I felt that going to school at a Historically Black University, as well as a predominantly white institution, would give me an opportunity to see the cultural differences between both schools. Why did you choose to go to Florida State? When I was making my decision, I met with Dr. Pappas and he really sold me on the sport management graduate program. Dr. Pappas is one of the best salesmen I know and served as a big influence in my choice of going to FSU. I would also say that a large part of my decision to go to FSU was because I work for Florida High, and I was able to take classes at FSU for free. I was able to work on my professional skills at the number one sport management school in the nation — it was a no-brainer. It was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.
Tyrone McGriff grew up in a coaching-centered household and developed a passion for sport from his father who coached high school and college football. McGriff followed in his father’s footsteps by attending and playing football at Florida A&M University (FAMU). During his time as a student-athlete, McGriff earned an All-MEAC defensive player award as a defensive end. Once he graduated from FAMU, Coach McGriff began working at Florida State University Schools (FSUS) where he served as a physical education teacher as well as a defensive line coach for the football team. He gained additional coaching experience by coaching track and cross country. After leading both teams
What did the FSU sport management program have to offer that piqued your interest? The professional development aspect of the program really appealed to me. If you know Dr. Pappas, you know he is one of the most professional people you’ll ever meet. He always makes it a priority to ensure that students will be able to network and communicate professionally. Getting to know him was the selling point. He says all the time in his classes that, “You are going to school to get a job. If you are going to college, go to a college that will get you a job.” I would definitely say that Dr. Pappas helped me the most during my time at FSU.
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