FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- Kentucky State University has announced former men's basketball head coach, KSU Athletic Hall of Famer and current director of the William Exum Center, William Graham, as the new director of athletics.
"This is a program I'm very familiar with, and it's one I'm a product of," said Graham. "I'm looking forward to making a difference in our student-athletes lives', adding to the program, and raising the bar of expectations."
Graham has served three stints at KSU totaling more than 30 years. In 1967, he was a student athlete playing basketball under Lucias Mitchell. During his time as a student-athlete, Graham was a part of two NAIA National Championship teams in 1970 and 1971, serving as captain and the team's "Most Inspirational Player" in 1971. He would later be drafted by both the Denver Rockets of the ABA and the Phoenix Suns of the NBA in 1971, to sign eventually with the Suns.
In 1976, Graham returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach for men's basketball and baseball. Following his two-year coaching stint with the Thorobreds, Graham served as an assistant men's basketball coach at Alabama State until 1989. While at ASU, he assisted James Oliver, helping lead the Hornets to a #1 NAIA National team ranking and runner-up in the NAIA National Championship tournament in 1980.
He returned to KSU in 1989 to serve as the head coach of men's basketball, a position he held until 1996. Following his time at the helm of the Thorobreds, he was named as the assistant director of the William Exum Center. In 2004, Graham was appointed the director of the William Exum Center, a position he held for more than 12 years.
Graham currently serves on numerous boards and committees including the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches, Kentucky State University Alumni Association, Kentucky State University K-Club Vice President, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (Shape America), and National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association.
"I'm a part of the Frankfort community and have been for a long time," said Graham. "I think KSU is a valuable asset to this community. As we move forward, we want our programs to be more involved with the city of Frankfort."
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he is married to Lillian Graham, and they are the parents of daughters Erica and Courtney, and son William III.
COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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