Coach Messer hires Gravatt to complete basketball staff

A native of Lee’s Summit, Mo., JD Gravatt has been named the Director of Basketball Operations for the Tennessee Tech women’s basketball team.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A native of Lee’s Summit, Mo., JD Gravatt has been named the Director of Basketball Operations for the Tennessee Tech women’s basketball team.

“I’ve heard great things about coach Messer and the program,” said Gravatt. “They have a great facility and a great staff.”

“We are very excited to have JD join the staff,” said head coach Sytia Messer. “He has a tremendous work ethic and has a bright future in the business.”

Messer was contacted by Gravatt about the open position in the basketball staff and talked to several of his colleagues, but let his actions speak for him at the local basketball camps.

“JD came in and worked the basketball camps and I saw how hard he worked and how detailed he was,” said Messer. “That pretty much spoke for itself.”

Gravatt joined the women’s basketball staff after serving as a Graduate Assistant for the Missouri women’s basketball team for two seasons. While at Missouri, Gravatt assisted the coaching with the day-to-day operations including video operation and recruiting.

Prior to Missouri, Gravatt served as Director of Basketball Operations for the women's basketball team at Florida Atlantic University for the 2007-08 season. While at FAU, Gravatt organized travel plans, day-to-day operations including film exchange and scouting. He also served as the video coordinator for the men's basketball team in the 2006-07 season.

Gravatt worked as student web assistant at Kansas from 2003-04 where he assisted in the web development of all of Kansas’ sports. Gravatt also served as a counselor and coach for summer basketball camps for coaches like Roy Williams, Bill Self, Dana Altman and Quin Snyder.

“This is a huge opportunity for me,” said Gravatt. “I’ll learn a lot from this coaching staff.”