ROCKFORD, IL — Rock Valley College Athletics is reshaping the future of its golf programs with a strategic coaching restructuring designed to maximize player development and elevate both teams on the national stage.
Veteran leader Andy Graber will step into a new role as Head Golf Program Coach, shifting his primary day-to-day focus to leading the RVC Women's Golf team. Joining him at the helm is former Golden Eagles standout Griffin Smits, who returns to his alma mater as Assistant Golf Program Coach and Head Men's Golf Coach.
A Focused Vision for RVC Golf
Under this new leadership model, Coach Graber transitions from managing both squads to dedicating his specialized attention to anchoring and expanding the women's program. Meanwhile, Smits will take full command of the day-to-day operational and strategic direction for the men's team, while assisting Graber across the broader program infrastructure.
"This restructuring allows us to maximize our coaching resources and provide specialized, dedicated attention to both our men's and women's student-athletes," said Athletic Director Darin Monroe. "Andy Graber has done a phenomenal job building our golf framework. Transitioning his veteran leadership to anchor the women's side, while bringing in an energetic alumnus like Griffin Smits to run the men's program, sets Rock Valley College Golf up for long-term regional and national success."
Elite Talent and National Success
Graber women's program is currently firing on all cylinders. The Golden Eagles women's squad is coming off an unforgettable season, finishing as the 2026 NJCAA Division III National Runner-Up.
The program's momentum is stronger than ever with the return of standout star Amelia Dunseth. Dunseth captured the 2026 NJCAA Division III Individual National Championship, carding historic scores to cement her place in junior college golf history.
Moving Up to NJCAA Division II
The leadership changes come at a historic turning point for the entire athletic department. Starting in the 2026-2027 athletic year, both the men's and women's golf programs will officially complete their transition to NJCAA Division II competition. This monumental shift will elevate the level of competition and allow the Golden Eagles to offer athletic scholarships to high-level recruits for the first time in program history.
Smits Comes Home to Rock Valley
Smits, a graduate of Stillman Valley High School, brings deep local roots and firsthand Golden Eagles experience back to the program. As a former RVC student-athlete, Smits consistently anchored the lineup, earning multiple top-ten individual finishes in Region 4 tournament play.
In his new role, Smits will oversee recruitment, player development, and tournament management specifically for the men's team under Graber's programmatic oversight. His hiring reinforces the athletic department's core strategic initiative of keeping elite, homegrown talent from the greater Rockford area right here at Rock Valley.
"I am incredibly excited to step into this dual role," Smits said. "Working alongside Coach Graber gives me a tremendous sounding board as I take the reins of the men's program. Rock Valley College gave me a fantastic foundation as a student-athlete, and I cannot wait to give back. My primary goal is to recruit the best talent in northern Illinois and help our guys develop the skills they need to advance academically and athletically."
Join the Golden Eagles
The restructured coaching staff inherits a rising program fueled by strong local talent from area high schools. With specialized leadership now locked in for both squads and a brand-new division era underway, the future is incredibly bright for RVC Golf.
