Joanna Orban
Staff writer
Last week, Idaho State University celebrated the retirement of Nancy Graziano, associate athletic director, and one of the longest serving administrators on campus. Graziano has served ISU for thirty-five years in all aspects of the athletic department.
Steve Schaack, who has worked with Graziano for nearly a decade said, “Nancy truly loves people and she truly loves the student-athletes and you can feel her love and her support when you talk with her”.
Prior to coming to Idaho State Graziano worked at Alemany High School, where she coached basketball, softball, and volleyball. She also served as the chair of the Physical Education Department and as an athletic director.
Her fifteen years of service at Alemany High School saw her lead her basketball team to 284-43 in twelve years, those years also included twelve league championships. Her volleyball and softball teams were successful as well.
As a coach, Graziano focused on her players first and the games second. She believed in what they were going to do and recognized that as a team, you’re only as strong as your weakest link. Graziano recognized this and made an effort to make sure every one of her players believed in themselves.
In 1985, she started her career at ISU, not knowing anyone in Pocatello, but with full support from her friends and family. For six years she served as an assistant coach, before she assumed her role as Director of Student Support, where she oversaw academics, compliance, the weight room, and countless other resources for the students.
In addition to being director Graziano also once served ISU as the NCAA Compliance Coordinator. “I have just taken great pride in being able to contribute in some small way so that ISU has been certified three times for NCAA”.
Her job hasn’t always been easy, but for Graziano it’s been worth it. It’s not just about the sports, it’s about student’s lives, and Graziano has had a significant impact on so many. The connections she’s made are going to be lifelong.
At her retirement party hosted last week, former students of Alemany High School came to honor her. Graziano is retiring officially in December, but her and her sister are staying in Pocatello, where they both hope to stay involved in the ISU community, and they also hope to make frequent visits to Disneyland.
For Nancy Graziano it really was all about the students, from the very young ones she worked with at Cal State Northridge, to the current ISU student athletes. “It hasn’t been hard because it’s been so real. It’s because of the energy I get from the students. I may give, but I give so little compared to what I get from the students. The joy that working at Idaho State has given me for the thirty-five years I’ve been here is like no other. It’s been a wonderful experience. I’m very, very proud to be a Bengal.”
The impact Graziano has had on so many lives can’t be understated, and her thirty-five years of service to this institution won’t go unappreciated. Graziano is a true Bengal, and on behalf of everyone on campus thank you.
