By Megan McCuistion, USU Athletic Media Relations

LOGAN, Utah – It's not uncommon for student-athletes to have positive relationships with their coaches. Playing a sport under a parent's tutelage however, is a unique experience. Such is the case for the head coach of the Utah State volleyball program, Grayson DuBose, and his daughter, Cassandra, a redshirt freshman defensive specialist for the Aggies.

Volleyball has always been a part of the DuBose family's life. While they spent time playing together, though, it was never an expectation that the kids would play competitively. After spending so much of her life around the game and its players, Cassandra decided it was the sport she wanted to try. 

"There was never any pressure for me to play volleyball, he never expected me to play," Cassandra said. "He thought it was fun that I did, but I played because I love it."

Grayson was excited to see his middle child, and only daughter, start her volleyball career. He was then able to participate on both sides, watching her from the bleachers through the first few years, then taking on the role of her coach. 

"At first, when she was playing in the little rec leagues, she didn't want me to be her coach, which was awesome. I could just go be a dad. I could do the wave and cheer, buy the orange slices and do that fun stuff," Grayson said. "Then when she was 15, she said she wanted me to coach her. I coached her in Mountain West Volleyball Club, which became Mountain Peak Volleyball Club here in town, coaching her for the next four years."

Through those club seasons, Cassandra and Grayson established their player-coach dynamic.  

"I told her if she wanted me to coach her in the club experience, then it was going to be a little bit different than it was for anyone else," Grayson said. "I told her 'You're my kid, so everyone is going to think I'm favoring you. I'm not going to be a bully, but I'm going to challenge you a little bit more than I would the average kid.'"

Cassandra has never felt particularly picked on, but not favored, either.

"I like to think he would be harder on me, if anything, but I think he does a nice job of treating me like everyone else," she said. "We've never really had any problems with it. 

As Cassandra grew up and continued to develop her volleyball skills, the DuBose family began the college recruiting process. While she worked on making her decision, Cassandra worked closely with former assistant coach Sammi Stuart, rather than directly with her dad. 

"I explored a lot of options. I sent emails to a bunch of places," Cassandra said. "I talked to Sammi a lot, so there was a little bit more distance there throughout the whole process. We do a good job of separating family and volleyball."

Though the option of Utah State was always there, the two went through the full process like any other student-athlete would. There were phone calls, emails and visits, but she was quick to decide to stay in Cache Valley. Academics have always been the top priority for her, so that was where her college planning started. While she had offers to several junior colleges that may have resulted in more playing time, she was awarded a full academic scholarship at USU, that continued to sway her the way of the Aggies. 

"Growing up, when I was really little, I always wanted to play for Utah State. When they offered me a spot it was a for sure thing. It's nice because I can be close to my family and home, but still be away from home."

From Grayson's perspective, he had some hesitations, but those were quickly put aside. He sought advice from fellow coaches who had been in the same situation, including former Pepperdine men's coach Marv Dunphy, who had coached his son.

"I called Marv when I was trying to figure this out. He says 'That's a no-brainer. That has got to be the easiest recruiting job you'll ever have. Of course you want to be her coach, because in four years she's going to be out of the house anyway, so you have a chance to be around her in this really cool phase of life. You get to watch her grow and see how she does academically and with friends. This is a no-brainer.'" 

"Another friend of mine reminded me that volleyball has taken a lot from me and my family," Grayson continued. "You miss a lot of life events. He said 'Maybe this is a chance for volleyball to give you something back.' Those two pieces of advice made me feel like we could make this work."

While most parents have to see their children experience college from the outside, Grayson gets a front row seat. 

"I get to see her in a unique environment. Being a collegiate athlete is hard. It's the hardest thing they've done up to this point. It's great to watch and see her grow," he said. "I told her 'If you come here, the bottom line is you just have to work your tail off, and they'll wrap their arms around you and care about you. If you're lazy at all, they won't care.' She's bought into that. She works really hard, she's a good, supportive teammate. She's excited for her team's successes and she has loved each teammate she's had. To see that interaction is really unique."

The family environment of Utah State volleyball carries over well beyond just the father-daughter duo. From the gym to his time out of the office, Grayson's focus is on his student-athletes. That feeling extends throughout his home, his wife and children. 

"It's us. It sounds so cheesy, but all these girls we've had on the team over the years have really become part of our family. We still follow them as they move on. It's really cool. We have this big extended family now. I've been involved with some really wonderful people over the years," Grayson said. "My wife takes on the team mother role and takes it very seriously. If they need someone to talk to or vent to, she's there. She just cares about the kid. We've been fortunate that we have been able to create this family environment."

For Cassandra, she has seen both sides. Throughout her childhood, she was aware of the time and effort her dad gave to the team both while at work and at home. Now as a member of his team, she is experiencing it from the other side and feeling that coach-specific care.

"Growing up I would see how much he cares about his players. All of his thoughts, all of his prayers, all the time he spends thinking about each and every one of them," Cassandra said. "I think it's cool that I get this opportunity to play for him now, and get this side of him."

After a lifetime of being around volleyball and the Aggies, Cassandra is grateful for the chance to be one of them, all while learning from her dad. 

"It's been a lot of fun. I don't know if she's enjoyed it as much as I have, but I've really enjoyed being her volleyball coach," Grayson said. "It's been fun to watch her learn and grow. It's hard, but I think she has really embraced the challenge."

- USU -