SRU announces McGraw scholarship
SLIPPERY ROCK — For seven seasons, Bobby McGraw brought passion and encouragement to the Slippery Rock University women’s basketball program as its head coach.
Now the university wants to extend those traits — in his name — for years to come.
SRU formally announced the formation of the Bobby McGraw Memorial Scholarship during halftime of last Wednesday night’s game against Edinboro at Morrow Field House. McGraw, a 1990 Mars graduate, died suddenly in July of 2022.
The inaugural scholarship will be awarded next season to a Rock junior or senior women’s basketball player pursuing careers in law enforcement while showing the same spirit and passion McGraw was known for.
McGraw served as a member of the U.S. Marines Corps military police and was a retired Pennsylvania state trooper. His 77 career wins rank fourth all-time on the SRU women’s basketball coaching list.
“We’re hoping this scholarship becomes an endowment and will be self-supporting for many years,” SRU athletic director Roberta Page said. “It will have to reach $23,000 for that to happen. I’m confident, that with the word getting out about the formation of this scholarship, it will exceed that figure.”
The first $1,000 of the scholarship was donated by SRU’s Adidas apparel supplier, Sports Locker. Long-sleeve Rock warm-up shirts, with the words “Do It For McGraw” printed across the top of the back, are on sale at the university for $50. All proceeds will benefit the scholarship.
Members of McGraw’s family were on hand to receive a formal letter announcing the scholarship. McGraw’s son, Reed, served as an honorary coach during the women’s game.
“I miss him like crazy,” retired SRU athletic director Paul Lueken said. “Bobby was at virtually every sporting event we had here, football, baseball, softball, volleyball, whatever. He was the biggest Rock fan in the area and Reed was always with him.
“Bobby just loved SRU athletics.”
McGraw’s brother, Shane, and sister, Misty, were among the family members on hand for the presentation. A plaque commemorating McGraw’s life is now on the wall in front of the entrance to the Rock basketball coaching offices.
“I’m blown away by all of this,” McGraw’s sister said. “This is unbelievable, what they’re doing. It’s a great way to carry on his name. Bobby cared so much for the athletes here. This is a beautiful thing and hopefully, women’s basketball players will benefit from it for many years ahead.
“We were just blessed to have Bobby in our lives.”
Shane referred to the scholarship by saying his brother “would absolutely love this. All he wanted to do was help these athletes. His passion for this school was so strong.”
McGraw had at least one player named to the All-PSAC team in each of his seven years as head coach. He coached 57 players who were named PSAC Scholar-Athletes and his teams’ cumulative grade point average was 3.25.
“There’s a big crowd here tonight and it’s because of him,” Page said. “That man impacted so many people.”
McGraw’s squads set single-season team records for 3-point field goals made, offensive and defensive rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage defense.
The plaque outside the basketball coaching offices reads, under McGraw’s name: His passion, sense of humor and his love of Slippery Rock was evident to everyone he came in contact with and will live forever.“
Current SRU men’s basketball coach Ian Grady shared that office with McGraw for a few years.
“We shared the same cubby in there,” Grady said. “Bobby was dedicated to every sport at this university. He loved his time here and this scholarship will pay that forward for a long time.
“This is a great way to honor a great man.”
