Former WHS coach makes Hall of Fame

If you were there, you remember. The bragging rights, the swagger, the mere mention of the name Wimberley meant volleyball excellence. Listening to the other side’s students, coaches and fans at the State Tournament, they were happy to win and go to the championship game. But there was always a little trepidation, and humbleness, in their voices when learning their opponent would be the Texans. Rightly so. That is what happens when your team wins six state championships.

The Texas Girls Coaching Association has named Lee Grisham to its Hall of Fame. His record at Wimberley High School is 495 – 111. Overall his record is 559 – 183. “Good volleyball school,” is usually the response when talking to others about girls’ sports across the state. Looking back, it wasn’t always like that. That is, until Lee Grisham was hired. He was a fifteen-year teacher and coach with Cole High School SA and New Braunfels Middle School.

“I knew the volleyball program was good (at Wimberley), they just couldn’t get over the hump… This town was a (girls) basketball town… I mean one gym had carpet… Going into the new high school was exciting (in 1997),” Grisham said. The school system was poised for advancing girls’ volleyball.

Then the magic happened. The middle school became a pipeline for the high school. Sixth graders would dream of making the high school’s varsity team. Long-term success was just ahead. His second year coaching volleyball the Texans won district. They continue to do so for the next 14 years.

Then there were wins – lots of them. Then there were six State Championships won over a nine year period.

They were like the Yankees and Patriots rolled into one. Now championships were just expected. Ranch Road 12 was packed on both sides with fans for their trips to district and of course to Austin and State, an annual trip. (In fact, their first championship was such a hot ticket, someone stole my UIL credentials and I had to do a little convincing that I was me.)

They not only won at State, they did it convincingly, with scores of 25- 12, 25-16 and such. After matches, the other sides would cry, of course. The Texan girls were never arrogant, but classy. They just won games, including a year where Wimberley beat the eventual 5A state champion on the way to a championship.

The fifteen years of coaching at Wimberley were satisfying, having both daughters Daneen and Jesi, playing on State Champion teams, and in 2003/04 Jesi was named MVP of the State tournament.

His last year in Wimberley was 2011, the year he retired from coaching, and from his “No Shortcuts” seminars/clinics business. The programs featured top volleyball coaches speaking on coaching and volleyball skills, UIL rule changes and on developing volleyball programs.

He became Assistant Executive Director of the Texas Girls Coaches Hall of Fame and is now in charge of All Star events of all girls’ sports, promoting and traveling throughout the state.

“We’re sanctioned by but not a part of UIL sports. We have over 7,000 plus members mainly coaches and administrators. It’s one of the largest associations of girls athletic coaches.”

His biggest contribution to Wimberley athletics? “The development of kids. That was very rewarding. Seeing a group of female athletes do something that was not expected…being the Girls Athletic Director, I had to learn about other sports, track, softball, soccer.” He continued.

“Girls were given choices, like softball and basketball…We encouraged all to play everything. Try sports your freshman year. Don’t make your decision in seventh grade.” This was after Title XI, where girls sports was given equal footing with boys programs.

“There’s so many scholarship opportunities playing sports. There’s so many. Recruiting is big now which is good for the kids and their parents.”

But with all the changes, being a coach remains the same.

“Keeping things simple and technical skills are the same. You can always learn the x’s and o’s but you are working with kids, you already know how to coach and you can always learn the game.”

The warmth of the community, the core of Wimberley Texan fans, especially of girls’ athletics, is close to his heart.

“My special memory of Wimberley is a group of older gentleman would come to our games. Tony McGee of the View was there at each game. They influenced older Wimberley people to become Wimberley fans. That was just great. Thanks for that. They made my time more pleasant.”

Grisham still has ties to Wimberley, he and his wife, Lauri, a 14 year WISD employee, reside in the Wimberley area. They will celebrate 23 years in July.

So the next time you find yourself in Wimberley High Schools gym, when you look at all the football and volleyball banners, think about all the hard work of the athletes and coaches of the past and try to imagine when the Wimberley Texans were a dynasty and Lee Grisham was their coach. That was a time!

His enshrinement into the Hall will happen July 6 at the TGCA convention in Arlington.

606 GAMES COACHING WHS

495 WINS

82% WINNING PERCENTAGE

9 TIMES TO STATE TOURNAMENT

6 TIME STATE CHAMPION