University of Tennessee Athletics
Success from the Track to the Classroom
November 05, 2018 | Track & Field
BY SETH RAYBORN
UTSPORTS.COM
Tennessee academic advisor Greig Cryer has a picture frame behind him that reads, "when students GET IT." The motto can pertain to various things that a student deals with on a day-to-day basis on campus.
"Getting it can range from me asking a student to find the answer to a simple question on their own, or understanding the importance of developing relationships with instructors," Cryer said. "When a student 'gets it' that's rewarding for me."
Cryer was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, where he grew up with the dream of attending the University of South Carolina. He didn't start running track until his junior year of high school, but that didn't stop him from reaching state in each of his final two years and winning state his senior year at R.B. Stall High School in Charleston.
However, his marks weren't good enough to warrant a scholarship offer from South Carolina, but it still remained the only school he applied to.
"I was determined to go to South Carolina," Cryer said. "I got in and about two weeks into school I hadn't communicated with the coaches at all, but I remembered all the promises I made to the folks back home."
According to Cryer, the only reason he decided to walk-on the team was to avoid being the next has-been from his hometown. His determination led him to reaching nationals as an individual for South Carolina his freshman year. When it was all said and done, Cryer was a decorated All-SEC athlete and a three-time All-American.
"I pursued track and field professionally after I graduated but that did not go well due to injuries," said Cryer. "I landed in Tennessee and had an opportunity to train and study for a master's degree at the same time, so I studied Sports Psychology."
His goal was to become a track and field coach after graduating with his master's degree from Tennessee. However, Cryer said he graduated in December, which was an odd time to find a job in the area track and field. This led to his employment with the Florence Crittenton Agency, which works with schools and court systems to provide outreach to young people. This is the place that Cryer credits for much of his advising and counseling skills that he still uses today.
"They provide a lot of different services, but I worked in a treatment facility with teen boys who abused substances didn't get along with the law," said Cryer. "That was a good experience and it helped me develop some skills that I utilize here with students, in terms of trying to encourage them to change behaviors and finding different ways to motivate them."
After holding various internships at Tennessee, including one with the football team, Cryer applied for an open position at Thornton Center to become an academic advisor. Cryer says that his experience as a student-athlete helped him form relationships with many of the athletes that he advises. He is currently in charge of advising track and field, women's basketball and women's golf team on campus. One of his main focuses is preparing student-athletes for life in college as well as life post-graduation.
"I just started my eighth year here back in July and it's been rewarding," Cryer said. "I'm fortunate to reflect on some experiences I had as a student-athlete and share them with the students that I work with."
There is no "typical" day in the office according to Cryer, as he meets with around 35 freshmen student-athletes a week as well as various upperclassmen. All freshman student-athletes that are under Cryer's wing have weekly mandatory meetings with him. He says the most important thing for him is to keep it real and transparent with all of the people he sees.
"I have no issue being vulnerable with them. I understand it helps them to get beyond whatever they're dealing with when they realize they aren't the only ones going through it," Cryer said. "Technology and a whole lot of other things makes their experience different than mine, but some things never change."
It was odd for Cryer, who was born and raised in South Carolina and lived in Columbia for throughout his college years. However, he said he just recently bought a house last year and considers Knoxville his home now.
"I can't help but bleed orange now," said Cryer. "One of the things that helped me fall in love with the area was the close proximity to the mountains. The people here are great, it's definitely a family atmosphere. You rarely meet a stranger."
UTSPORTS.COM
Tennessee academic advisor Greig Cryer has a picture frame behind him that reads, "when students GET IT." The motto can pertain to various things that a student deals with on a day-to-day basis on campus.
"Getting it can range from me asking a student to find the answer to a simple question on their own, or understanding the importance of developing relationships with instructors," Cryer said. "When a student 'gets it' that's rewarding for me."
Cryer was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, where he grew up with the dream of attending the University of South Carolina. He didn't start running track until his junior year of high school, but that didn't stop him from reaching state in each of his final two years and winning state his senior year at R.B. Stall High School in Charleston.
However, his marks weren't good enough to warrant a scholarship offer from South Carolina, but it still remained the only school he applied to.
"I was determined to go to South Carolina," Cryer said. "I got in and about two weeks into school I hadn't communicated with the coaches at all, but I remembered all the promises I made to the folks back home."
According to Cryer, the only reason he decided to walk-on the team was to avoid being the next has-been from his hometown. His determination led him to reaching nationals as an individual for South Carolina his freshman year. When it was all said and done, Cryer was a decorated All-SEC athlete and a three-time All-American.
"I pursued track and field professionally after I graduated but that did not go well due to injuries," said Cryer. "I landed in Tennessee and had an opportunity to train and study for a master's degree at the same time, so I studied Sports Psychology."
His goal was to become a track and field coach after graduating with his master's degree from Tennessee. However, Cryer said he graduated in December, which was an odd time to find a job in the area track and field. This led to his employment with the Florence Crittenton Agency, which works with schools and court systems to provide outreach to young people. This is the place that Cryer credits for much of his advising and counseling skills that he still uses today.
"They provide a lot of different services, but I worked in a treatment facility with teen boys who abused substances didn't get along with the law," said Cryer. "That was a good experience and it helped me develop some skills that I utilize here with students, in terms of trying to encourage them to change behaviors and finding different ways to motivate them."
After holding various internships at Tennessee, including one with the football team, Cryer applied for an open position at Thornton Center to become an academic advisor. Cryer says that his experience as a student-athlete helped him form relationships with many of the athletes that he advises. He is currently in charge of advising track and field, women's basketball and women's golf team on campus. One of his main focuses is preparing student-athletes for life in college as well as life post-graduation.
"I just started my eighth year here back in July and it's been rewarding," Cryer said. "I'm fortunate to reflect on some experiences I had as a student-athlete and share them with the students that I work with."
There is no "typical" day in the office according to Cryer, as he meets with around 35 freshmen student-athletes a week as well as various upperclassmen. All freshman student-athletes that are under Cryer's wing have weekly mandatory meetings with him. He says the most important thing for him is to keep it real and transparent with all of the people he sees.
"I have no issue being vulnerable with them. I understand it helps them to get beyond whatever they're dealing with when they realize they aren't the only ones going through it," Cryer said. "Technology and a whole lot of other things makes their experience different than mine, but some things never change."
It was odd for Cryer, who was born and raised in South Carolina and lived in Columbia for throughout his college years. However, he said he just recently bought a house last year and considers Knoxville his home now.
"I can't help but bleed orange now," said Cryer. "One of the things that helped me fall in love with the area was the close proximity to the mountains. The people here are great, it's definitely a family atmosphere. You rarely meet a stranger."
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