Pro Player Profile: Grayson Overman – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
March 10, 2016
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – OhioStateBuckeyes.com recently caught up with Buckeye alum and current professional volleyball player, Grayson Overman, to find out the latest. Overman played for Ohio State from 2010-13, winning the NCAA national championship as a sophomore and still ranking inside the top-5 all-time at Ohio State for career blocks.
Tell us a little bit about yourself, where did you start playing volleyball and how has it progressed into playing professionally.
My name is Grayson Overman and I am a professional volleyball player from San Clemente, California. I am so grateful to be able to play the sport I love while having the freedom to discover the languages, traditions and cultures of countries throughout the world.
I began playing volleyball my freshman year at San Clemente High School. I was introduced to the sport by one of my friends and I never stopped after that. Along with four years of playing on the high school team, I also played on a club team, which took volleyball to another level entirely for me. My club coach throughout those years was Justin Deblasio, now the owner of 949 Volleyball Club, who inspired me to push myself and volleyball as far as possible. His club is known to be a dominant force, having the most elite teams and players in the country.
After San Clemente High School, I committed to play my collegiate career for The Ohio State University. I had some of the greatest experiences of my life with that team and organization. The structure, athletic department and facilities are truly some of the best in the world. I am so grateful to have spent my collegiate years with those teammates and coaches. It was an honor to play for, as well as represent, The Ohio State University through the sport of volleyball. During my sophomore year, our team won the NCAA Division I Men’s Volleyball National Championship, which was the first National Championship in Ohio State Volleyball history. I am so thankful for the opportunities I was given during those four years, which allowed me to push even harder towards my goal of playing professional volleyball.
I graduated from The Ohio State University in Spring 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences degree in Strategic Communications. I quickly contacted former Buckeye volleyball players about their careers abroad and how I could become a professional. Dan Matthews, a former setter at OSU, was crucial in helping me find a way. He recommended me to his agency SIM Gratton & Associates, I spoke to the agency that next week and immediately signed a contract to become a professional volleyball player represented by them. This was the first step toward playing overseas. SIM Gratton & Associates was able to negotiate a contract for me to play my first professional season for ASUL Lyon Volleyball Club in Lyon, France. The next season I played for TSV Jona Volleyball Club in Rapperswil, Switzerland. This current season I am playing for Kokkolan Tiikerit Volleyball Club in Kokkola, Finland.
How difficult was the transition from collegiate volleyball to professional volleyball?
The transition into professional volleyball was fast paced and quick but I didn’t feel it was physically difficult. I had been trained on physical technique from Ohio State. The hardest part was transitioning into playing the type of volleyball my coach wanted our team to play. I saw it as an opportunity to really take my game to another level physically and mentally. Playing in Lyon was a life changing experience and the perfect place to have started my career. I immediately immersed myself in the French culture and lifestyle. This showed me the endless possibilities to learn and discover new countries while playing volleyball. My passion for cultural discovery has only grown over these three seasons abroad. It is an incredible experience to play with and against the best players in the world.
How did playing for The Ohio State University help prepare you for playing at the professional level?
Playing for The Ohio State University was the best possible preparation for playing abroad. The OSU Volleyball program had the highest level strength training, coaching, facilities, equipment and medical staff. For those four collegiate NCAA years, I was pushed physically and mentally to new levels, which prepared me well for transitioning to a professional career.
I am also so thankful for The Ohio State University because of its prestigious academic level. Finishing my Communications degree was another aspect that has allowed me create global relationships and have a strong educational standpoint for conversations of every type. It has given me perspective as well as a way to further my knowledge of cultures and traditions throughout the world. I cannot stress enough how important education has been in my life since graduating from Ohio State.
What is it like living in another country for seven-plus months without being able to come home?
Living in a foreign country for eight months every season has been an unbelievable experience for me. I have been able to learn so much from speaking with locals, learning new languages, traveling throughout the world, tasting traditional cuisine and playing volleyball with so many different people.
I have been able to discover entire histories of people and traditions that I was never exposed to in America. I have had countless conversations with people who’ve had similar life experiences to my own. I have learned, through deep conversations, the thoughts and emotions of people toward numerous world issues. Those things are what make being a professional volleyball player such a unique experience.
After living that long in a foreign place, it really doesn’t seem foreign at all once I leave. It feels like I’ve made another home somewhere with friends I can always visit. I love discovering new perspectives and ways to look at life, which I can bring home and share with my friends, family or anyone else I meet in life.
How is the team chemistry when you are playing on a team as a foreigner and not many people speak your language?
The team chemistry has been amazing on these professional teams. It is truly a unique experience to play with men who have been playing for almost 20 years while also having people just beginning their volleyball careers all within the same team. My coach for ASUL Lyon, Silvano Prandi, is a famous Italian coach but only spoke to us in French so I attended a French language and literature class at Lyon Université 2 while I was living there. It was either learn quick or fall behind, which is a huge part of the transition to a professional volleyball player coming from the States. Each team I have been on I have been exposed to so many different languages, which has given me the opportunity to learn so much.
What are some challenges that you have to overcome on a daily basis?
I have realized that being a professional volleyball player means you always have to be very adaptive to every type of situation. The living, club organization, travel, language and cultural situations. It really has made me focus on survival needs and has truly given me a new perspective on life. Things can change so fast and there are so many unique domestic issues happening within each country that may not be recognized on a global scale. It reminds me to always be grateful for what I have in this moment and that life experiences are one thing we can always have and share with others. Volleyball has provided me with opportunities to go places I may not have chosen to travel before and has shown me how incredible life is every day.
What are some of the best things about being a professional athlete?
Being a professional athlete has given me freedom and opportunities. It has allowed me to meet endless amounts of wonderful people, learn so much about the world and gain new perspectives on life. I see every day as an adventure and I look forward to where life will lead. I absolutely love what I do and I am so grateful to everyone who has played a role in making this happen. Always follow your passions and dreams.
