Through a Friday afternoon press release, Point Park University announced that its women’s basketball coach Tony Grenek has resigned after 11 seasons with the program.
“It’s been 11 years counting COVID, and I just think that it’s time for a new voice for the women’s basketball program,” Grenek exclusively told PSN. “It’s been an unbelievable run here. I have been blessed with coaching some of the greatest kids in the world that have given their heart and soul to this program that have done tremendous things since left here. I have made some wonderful relationships in the athletic department, coaches and support staff. I’m a very lucky human being but having an 11-year-old son and a 14-year-old daughter and having an opportunity to work regular hours in a position on campus, I believe is the best move for my family and I in this time.”
The Pioneers have won their conference tournament on three separate occasions in 2011-12, 2012-13 and 13-14, which earned the lone berth in the NAIA National Tournament in program history, once as members of the American Mideast Conference and then in its first two seasons as members of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which is now known as the River States Conference.
Point Park also advanced into the playoffs in eight of Grenek’s 11 seasons.
At 206 career wins, Grenek overwhelmingly surpassed previous recordholder Ed Meena’s mark of 81 triumphs.
“We thank Tony Grenek for 11 years as head coach of Point Park women’s basketball,” Point Park Director of Athletics John Ashaolu said in the press release. “He brought about the best success the program has ever experienced on the court and in the classroom. We are proud of his time here and all the student-athletes and graduates who came during his time. We wish him well in his next challenge.”
Point Park also consistently excelled in the classroom under Grenek, most recently placing sixth in the NAIA with a 3.71 cumulative GPA.
Grenek will continue at Point Park as Student Success Coordinator in the Center for Student Success. With that being said, Grenek did state that he has not ruled out coaching again, though he concedes that it may not be at the collegiate level.
“I think I’ll be on the sidelines in some capacity someday, but I’m very grateful for what we accomplished at Point Park,” he said. “I’m grateful for the student-athletes that we’ve produced and for being able to continue at this wonderful university.”
Sam Weir was a student-athlete for Grenek from 2013-15 and again from 2016-19 before recently completing her second season as an assistant on his staff.
Weir totaled 1,245 points and 775 rebounds in her time at Point Park, growing both on and off the court and expressed her gratitude towards Grenek.
“I could never put into words a way to thank Coach Grenek for everything he has ever done for me and my family on and off the court,” said Weir. “There are times when he was there for me and believed in me when nobody else did. He is everything I aspire to be as a coach and hope that my players feel the same way about me someday.”
Another Point Park recordholder in Michelle Burns, saw her Pioneers career end Saturday, but ranked third all-time with 1,848 points while also several other single-season and cumulative marks, also spoke to the departure, wishing him success in the process.
“He’s one of my favorite people, so I’m not going to lie that the last few days have been rough, just because I know I’m done but also because he’s been such a rock for me,” she said. “For us both to go, it’s a big thing, but I know he will succeed in whatever he does. Everything we’ve been through has been crazy, but he’s handled it with the best attitude. He’s given that thought and mindset to me.”
Grenek’s new role at Point Park begins Mar. 1, but as the time winds down, he has been reflective of his time leading the program to new heights.
“I want my legacy to be that all of the ladies that came through this program were the epitome of student-athletes, great human beings on and off the court and I want them to realize whatever happens, even if you are done playing for me, that I am always there for them,” Grenek stated.
Photo credit: Point Park University Athletics