Sports stats



Storm and Grayer to Part Ways

May 5, 2003 - Continental Basketball Association 2 (CBA 2)
Great Lakes Storm News Release


Birch Run, MI (May 5, 2003) - The Great Lakes Storm of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) announced today that Jeff Grayer's coaching contract will not be renewed. A nationwide search for his replacement has already begun.

During his time as the on-court leader of the team, Grayer was instrumental in getting the franchise off the ground and in its move to the Birch Run Expo Center in Birch Run, MI.

"Jeff Grayer has been a very valuable part of this team and he's been a great asset to our visibility in the community over the past two years," said Storm owner Greg Van Boxel. "The time and talent he has donated to the charities of the Mid-Michigan Area have been exceptional and we're proud to be associated with a person of his qualities. We sincerely thank Jeff for everything he has done for us and wish him the best in his future endeavors."

In two seasons as the Storm head coach, Grayer compiled an overall record of 36-52 (.409 winning percentage), and failed to make the CBA playoffs. In 2001-02, his first season as a professional head coach, he guided the Flint Fuze to a record of 17-23 (128.5 quarter points), finishing third in the National Conference. This past season, as the Great Lakes Storm, Grayer's team finished with a record of 19-29, finishing last in the National Conference (137.5 quarter points).

Under his guidance, Grayer helped continue the CBA-to-NBA connection as two of his players combined for four different CBA-to-NBA call-ups over the past two seasons. During the 2001-02 season, Jermaine Jackson and Ira Newble each received a call-up from the Fuze, as Jackson was signed by the Toronto Raptors on January 10, 2002 and Newble signed with the Atlanta Hawks on January 22, 2002. This past season, Jackson received two more call-ups when he signed with the Toronto Raptors on November 20, 2002 and then with the Atlanta Hawks on January 30, 2003.

Before his coaching career began, Grayer was a standout player at Flint Northwestern High School, before attending Iowa State University, where he is the school's all-time leading scorer. In 1988, he was drafted in the first round (13th overall) of the NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and spent more than nine seasons in the NBA as a player. Grayer's basketball resume also includes a membership on the bronze medal-winning 1988 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team.

"We are currently conducting a nationwide search for Jeff's replacement," said Van Boxel. "We have spoken to several people already, including key NBA personnel, and are committed to finding the best possible choice for our organization and our fans." Season tickets for the Great Lakes Storm are now on sale for the upcoming 2003-04 season, and Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact the Great Lakes Storm at (989) 624-4665 for information.

• Discuss this story on the Continental Basketball Association 2 message board...

Continental Basketball Association 2 Stories from May 5, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Great Lakes Storm Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central