RICHARDSON, TX (06.29.18) - UT Dallas head baseball coach Shane Shewmake has announced the hiring of Travis Graves as the Comets' new assistant baseball coach.

Graves, a native of Mesquite, joins the Comets after spending the past season as assistant coach and recruiting coach at NCAA Division II Delta State University. In 2018, Graves was part of a coaching staff that led the Statesmen to to the Gulf South Athletic Conference title with a 42-11 overall record.

"We are excited to have Travis become a part of our Comet baseball family," said Shewmake. "His track record of success as a player and a coach speaks for itself and I feel that he will be an excellent fit on our staff and help continue the winning tradition here at UTD."  

Prior to DSU, Graves was the associate head coach at Eastfield College, spending six seasons in that capacity with the Harvesters. While at Eastfield, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the program, serving as recruiting coordinator as well. Additionally, Graves has made summer stops in the Coastal Plain League, spending a season each as an assistant coach with the Martinsville Mustangs (2015) and the Savannah Bananas (2016) before being named the head coach of the Florence Red Wolves in 2017.

A product of Horn Highs School, Graves began his playing career as an All-American catcher at local Eastfield before transferring to Southern Mississippi, where he led the Eagles to the NCAA College World Series. While at USM, he was listed on the Johnny Bench Award List as a senior and led the squad to the Conference USA championship.

Following his collegiate days, Graves returned to Eastfield for two seasons as an assistant coach for the Harvesters, helping mentor the 2011 NJCAA Division I National Champions to a 40-22 overall record. Graves then headed back to Hattiesburg to serve as a graduate assistant with USM. 

Graves collected his bachelor's degree from USM in Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in both History and Sport Coaching in 2010 while earning his master's degree also from USM in Sport Management in 2012.