Colby Quickly Names New Men’s Hoops Coach

Colby Community College President Dr. Steve Vacik has announced the selection of Rusty Grafel to head the men’s basketball program. Grafel was officially confirmed by the Board of Trustees on Monday, Aug. 13.

Grafel served as assistant coach for the CCC program for three seasons working with Dustin Pfeifer who resigned earlier this month.

“I am very pleased that Coach Grafel has accepting the head coaching job,” said CCC Athletic Director Ryan Sturdy. “He has an excellent record as a great recruiter for the program. His performance over the past three years has proven he can handle all aspects of coaching. I know he will continue the college’s commitment to excellence under his leadership.”

A native of Oberlin, he played one year at Hutchinson Community College helping the Blue Dragons to a Jayhawk West Championship in 2003-04. After one year at Hutch, Coach Grafel transferred to Fort Hays State University where he played three years for the Tigers and was part of the 2005-06 Rocky Mountain Athletic Association (RMAC) Championship Team that was ranked #1 in the nation. Grafel stayed at Fort Hays as a graduate assistant coach for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons.

Coach Grafel earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in health and human performance from FHSU.

The CCC team finished the 2011-12 season 19-12 overall and 7-9 in the Western Division of the Jayhawk Conference.

Coach Grafel will begin his duties immediately He is the 14th head coach of the Trojans.