Tracy Resigns as WSU Volleyball Coach
Jan. 19, 2005
Joylynn Tracy, the head volleyball coach at Wright State University the past seven seasons, has decided to resign that position due to personal reasons, WSU Athletics Director Dr. Michael Cusack announced Wednesday.
"I have had an amazing experience here both as a coach and as a student-athlete. Wright State has been my home nearly my entire adult life," said Tracy. "I made this decision to stop coaching for myself and for the program. Dr. Cusack has been a great mentor to me and I consider him a friend."
"Dr. Cusack has been clear on his goals for the program and I know they are attainable. There is so much potential here and I feel it is time to give someone else an opportunity to realize that potential," added Tracy. "I am proud of what I have accomplished and look forward to watching the team get back on the winning track."
"I have so much love for the student-athletes I have worked with over the years and am honored to have been able to work with them," said Tracy. "As for what my future holds, I am unsure, but I am confident I will find a career that will utilize my strengths. I am exploring opportunities both on campus and in the community."
"It is with a great deal of sadness that we have accepted Joylynn's resignation," Cusack said. "She brought many positive aspects to our program, and we have developed an appreciation of her integrity, work ethic and values. It's been an honor and a pleasure to have had her as a student-athlete and a coach. We will help her in any way we can to utilize her many talents."
The Raiders put together an impressive list of accomplishments during Tracy's tenure as head coach. In 2001, Tracy was named as the Tachikara Midwest Region Coach of the Year. The honor followed a season that saw the Raiders post their best record since joining the Division I ranks at 21-7. WSU also reached as high as fourth in the regional rankings before ending the year as fifth.
The recognition didn't stop there that season as Tracy was also named the Horizon League Coach of the Year as Wright State won 11 league contests after winning just four the year before. By finishing third in the standings, the Raiders posted their highest regular-season league finish since 1992.
In 2002, Wright State pulled off one of its biggest wins ever, defeating #12 Michigan State at the Western Michigan Invitational, and received votes in the Division I American Volleyball Coaches Association's Top 25 poll for the first time ever.
Along with her seven years as head coach, Tracy was involved in every facet of the program in her 15 overall years at Wright State.
Tracy started off her Raider career as a four-year letterwinner as an outside hitter from 1989-92. She led WSU in kills her final two seasons with 336 in 1991 and 311 in 1992 and collected 711 kills in 294 games during her career. Tracy was also the team MVP in 1992.
She then began her coaching career as an undergraduate assistant during the 1993 season and was the top assistant under Steve Opperman from 1995-97, where her primary duties included organizing practice sessions, recruiting and aiding with match strategy.
Tracy has been a large part of the Division I success of Wright State volleyball, including the appearances at the National Invitational Volleyball Championship in 1989, 1991 and 1993, the runner-up finish in the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament in 1993 and the 15-3 start by the 1995 team.
The Raiders also advanced to the conference tournament semifinals three times in Tracy's seven seasons.
Overall, Tracy posted a 92-115 record as head coach, including a 40-52 mark in the Horizon League.
A native of Fostoria, Ohio, Tracy is a graduate of Hopewell-Loudon High School. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Wright State in December 1993.
According to Cusack, a small advisory group will be formed immediately to assist in the selection of a new coach.
