Joey Vrazel Named Volleyball Assistant Coach

March 31, 2000

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson head coach Jolene Jordan Hoover announced today the hiring of JoEllen “Joey” Vrazel as the Tigers’ new assistant coach. Vrazel replaces Heather Kahl, who is leaving Clemson to become an assistant volleyball coach at Wake Forest. Vrazel, along with new assistant coach Kelly Sheffield, will complete the Tigers’ 2000 volleyball staff.

Vrazel has spent the last year as Director of Development and Sales for AthleticLink.com, where she was responsible for content development and the web site’s marketing and business plan. Prior to her time with AthleticLink.com, Vrazel was the head volleyball coach at Purdue from 1995-99. Before being named head coach at Purdue, Vrazel served as an assistant coach for four years at California State University in Fresno, and she was an assistant coach at Washington from 1984-88.

Besides her coaching experience, Vrazel also has extensive experience playing volleyball at the national level. She was a member of the USA National Volleyball Team during the 1981-82 season and again from 1989-91. Vrazel was chosen the 1988 National MVP and earned the 1989 USA Volleyball Players Award. During her career she played on three United States Volleyball Association National Championship Teams. Vrazel also played professional volleyball from 1987-88, when she was named to the League All-Star team as a member of the New York Liberties team.

A five-time All-American in the collegiate and open division, Vrazel was chosen team captain and MVP at Texas A&M in 1982. She earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Texas A&M in 1984.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to attract someone of Joey’s caliber and experience to our program,” said Hoover of Vrazel. “I am very excited about our new staff and am looking forward to working with Joey and Kelly.”

As one of Clemson’s assistants, Vrazel will be responsible for administrative duties including team travel and game management. She will serve as a liaison between the coaching staff and the strength staff and will lead the team’s strength and conditioning program and the team’s nutritional program. Vrazel will work with the outside and right side hitters, with an emphasis on blocking and team defense.