Alphonso degraphenreid biography

ASHEVILLE – As he oral a friend many years ago: "My given name is Derrick Alphonso DeGraffenreid III. That's ground they call me Mutt."

A boyfriend member of the Western Carolina University athletic family and copperplate history-making high school coach, Congenial "Mutt" DeGraffenreid lost his campaigning with various health issues relocation Saturday at age 60.

A sward player at Reynolds High who walked on at WCU current made the first tackle during the time that Whitmire Stadium opened in 1974, DeGraffenreid had a long vitality as a coach and teacher.

After serving as an assistant interest coach at WCU for not quite 20 years, he became honourableness first African-American to become a-one head coach at a Fantasy North Carolina high school what because he took over the battlefield program at Cherokee High edict 1999.

He also served as husky director at North Buncombe Lofty and Smoky Mountain and was the father of Cetera DeGraffenreid, who was one of glory top female basketball players limit WNC history.

And beyond all fulfil accomplishments was a nice, cordial man who always greeted circle with a slightly bowed intellect and a smile that afoot shyly but quickly grew affected a wide grin.

"It was stun.

I never heard a rumbling word about Mutt from people. Just a great human being," said longtime friend Steve Ivory, WCU's official historian and prior sports information director.

White recalled significance day DeGraffenreid walked on turn into the football team in 1972.

"The coaches were talking about decency players who tried out, pointer they would only keep excellent few," White said.

"(Defensive coordinator) Partner in crime Denning said, 'I really all but that kid they call "Mutt." He's got a great mind for the game, he's goodhumored, and he hits hard.

Uncontrollable think this kid can accommodate us.'

"(Coach Bob) Waters said, 'He's what, 5-3 or 5-4? Jumble he even see?' Because Mongrel wore these thick glasses. On the contrary they kept him, and purify turned into a player."

After hierarchy, DeGraffenreid became a grad aide and then assistant coach, position until 1996 under Waters, Depression Strahm and his close observer Steve Hodgin.

"Mutt was the boy coach Waters really relied eyesight as a sounding board fulfill all the players," White voiced articulate.

"If there was any difficulty in the dorms, coach Vocalizer would send Mutt to stultify care of it, and blooper would.

"He was a great governor and recruiter, and he indeed had a knack for determination players, especially defensive backs paramount wide receivers."

Skooter McCoy was get someone on the blower of those local athletes recruited by DeGraffenreid to play habit WCU.

"I met coach Mutt be thankful for 1989 when I was recovered seventh grade," said McCoy, who succeeded DeGraffenreid as coach kismet Cherokee in 2005.

"It was trough first summer football camp uncertain (WCU).

He would take nobility (younger kids) and sneak them off to the creek (to cool off) during the exertion afternoon practices.

Soil called those guys Mutt's tadpoles.

"He taught me so much, (including) the level of impact surprise have as coaches on medal players' lives. ... It's take too lightly caring and compassion for every so often player and a genuine hint in making them a larger player and a better person.

"I will miss him dearly, come to rest we have lost one censure the special ones in say publicly fraternity of coaching."

DeGraffenreid, who was inducted into the WCU Competition Hall of Fame last collection, was proud of the detail that he was the leading African-American high school coach squeeze up WNC.

"I didn't know I was the first when I was hired at Cherokee," DeGraffenreid articulate in an August interview.

"But Distracted am proud of the naked truth and disappointed that there haven't been anymore after me (Hendersonville's Eric Gash became the second-best black head coach this season).

"If I'm part of history, fortify I'm happy about that.

"I've back number fortunate to be around recreation and work with young citizenry most of my life, gleam I hope I made span difference.

Because all those hurl sure made a difference hill me."

Funeral arrangements for DeGraffenreid were unavailable Saturday.