Alumni Spotlight: Joe Greany

Hall of Famer and former baseball player Joe Greany recently reflected on his time at Alfred State and how it helped him to the success he has had as a strength and conditioning coach. Currently, Greany is the strength and conditioning assistant coach for the Tampa Rays.

Greany is a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC) as well as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). In addition to these certifications, he is a Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES), through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), a Certified Speed Specialist (CSS) through the National Association of Speed and Explosion (NASE), a Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC) through Athletes Acceleration, and a Certified Speed, Agility, and Quickness Specialist through National Exercise & Sport Training Association (NESTA).

He is a five-time recipient of the Professional Baseball Strength & Conditioning Coaches Society (PBSCCS) Minor League Baseball, Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award (2011 Texas League, 2013 South Atlantic League, 2014 Carolina League, 2015 & 2016 Pacific Coast League). Greany is a fitness expert for Dr. Mehmet Oz's website, Sharecare.com and for Stackmedia.com. Joey's fitness segments have aslo been featured on Fox 10 Phoenix Morning Show. 

Greany spent nine years working in the Kansas City Royals system before moving to the Tampa Bay Rays prior to the 2017 baseball season.

At Alfred State, Greany started every game of his career and played on two championship teams that accumulated an 82-34 record. He hit .332 as a freshman and hit .423 as a sophomore. For his career he hit .374, accumulated 377 at bats, scored 125 runs, collected 141 hits, and 12 triples. He also stole 39 bases in his career. Greany was named All-Region twice and All-WNYAC once. He also was named the ASC baseball MVP and the Most Dedicated Player during his career.

What did you study at Alfred State? Individual Studies - associate degree

How did it lead you to your career? This degree allowed me to take the courses I needed in order to transfer to a 4 year school, where I could then select a major that I was passionate about.

 What lessons did you learn during your time at Alfred State?

• I learned how to manage my time wisely
• How to be proactive when I didn't have classes (use that time to study!)
• How to be responsible (paying phone bill, passing classes)
• How to be a good teammate (pick up after myself, treat others with respect)
• How to build relationships and to develop trust with classmates/teammates, administrative staff, and coaches

How did you come across the opportunity to work in professional baseball? After transferring from Alfred State to Martin Methodist College (Tennessee), I began working towards a physical education degree. My academic advisor at Martin Methodist College recognized my passion for coaching as well as my interest in physical fitness/athletic development. He showed me the National Strength and Conditioning Association's website and thought I would be interested in pursuing a career in the field of Strength and Conditioning. Upon graduation, I immediately took the steps necessary to get my NSCA certifications which allowed me to apply for positions within professional baseball.

Any advice to anyone chasing their dream in your career field? I would tell them to be willing to work long hours, to be passionate about coaching in professional sports, to chase the dream not the money, to be willing to do things for your organization that is not necessarily within your job description or what you went to class for, to be a good employee and to carry yourself with the utmost professionalism (look the part, act the part).

What was your favorite spot on campus at Alfred State? My favorite spot on campus was our baseball field, with the gym and dining hall following close behind!

What is your biggest memory at Alfred State? Playing baseball for Coach Kenney and being a part of our championship teams! Coach Kenney taught me valuable life lessons that are part of both my personal and professional life. To this day, he is still a close friend and mentor.

Find out more about Joe Greany and his work by visiting his website at: http://www.joeygreany.com/