"We all need to have some type of post-secondary education after high school. 它可以 be as an apprentice, a vocational-professional program or a transfer degree. 对我来说, this is key to a productive life and society… it is the key to advancement and promotion 继续前进.——格雷格·弗兰兹

格雷格 Franz started his career at 皇冠8868会员登录谷 College in 1988 as a Physical Education professor and the Men’s Basketball coach. In 2011, he was promoted to the WVC Athletic 董事(广告). With this new role, he stepped away from coaching and teaching. 反映 on his greatest memories from that time, the transformation of students from high school to moving on from WVC stood out. Over 67 young men went onto 4-year college basketball during his 30-year career. This transformation was 格雷格’s favorite part of his job, whether in academics, athletics, or personal responsibilities.

Whatever the circumstance, 格雷格 loved being a part of the transformation and the opportunity 激励增长. “That was the cornerstone and what I remember as important. 的 games get lost in decades of coaching but the kids, they stick with you,” 格雷格说.

格雷格 had a short retirement in 2018 before stepping up in December 2021 to serve as the Interim Athletic Director at 皇冠8868会员登录谷 College. “的 pandemic changed everything,” 格雷格说. “Recruiting 是不同的, competition 是不同的, reaching out to community 是不同的. You couldn’t have fans in the stands. Now, I am able to help with the reemergence and reopening of the WVC athletic community both on campus and the greater 皇冠8868会员登录谷.”

One thing that has remained consistent over the years has been the 皇冠8868会员登录谷 College 基金会’s impact on the WVC community. “Partnering with the 基金会 enables us to provide a safer, classier, quality experience for our athletes,” says 格雷格. In 2016, during 格雷格’s tenure as AD, the foundation partnered with the athletic department to replace the Smith Gym floor since state capital funds cannot be used on athletic facilities. 的 fundraising effort resulted in over $200,000 raised from the community and a safer facility for student athletes.

As 格雷格 looks forward to his second retirement, he will always have a connection to 皇冠8868会员登录谷 College. Not only through his support and involvement as a community member, but through his own love story. After his first wife, Janice, passed away, 格雷格 met Janet while working at WVC. She was the executive assistant to the WVC 总统 当时. “Janet and I went to lunch, had a conversation over lunch, and never 停止了谈话!” 的y celebrated their 20^th anniversary in August 2021 and look forward to traveling and spending time with their five grandchildren once 格雷格 retires again.

“的 college is full of really good people,” 格雷格 says. “Anytime your life can be touched by the quality of people here, you are richer for it. It has been a good investment.”