University of Wisconsin-Stout Athletics

Rebounding is what Yonna Grey did best. More than 15 years after she donned the Navy and White, Grey’s name still appears towards the top of all of UW-Stout’s rebounding lists.

Grey is currently third on the all-time rebounding list, pulling down 872 rebounds from 1991-95. Through her final three seasons, she garnered the team’s Chair of the Boards award as the Blue Devils’ top rebounder. She earned honorable mention all-conference honors in 1994 and first team all-conference honors in 1995.

As a freshman and newcomer of the year, Grey hauled in 111 rebounds, as a sophomore, 243, as a junior a career-best 265 and as a senior, 253. Grey finished her career averaging 9.9 rebounds per game and 9.1 points per game.

But probably her greatest single individual feat was when Grey set the school’s single game rebounding record. A three-time Strength & Conditioning All-American, Grey hauled in 26 rebounds, Nov. 19, 1994, against Valley City State, a mark that is second on the WIAC single game list.

“If the ball stayed in the gym,” coach Mark Thomas said about Grey’s tenaciousness, “Yonna was after it and had a good chance of getting it.”

While enjoying the games, Grey, a native of Chetek, enjoyed the entire collegiate basketball experience. Grey’s biggest thrill captured her throughout her career.

“The smell of the ball, the sound of squeaking and sliding on the floor,” Grey said, “seeing the perfect pass and stepping foot onto the UW-Stout basketball court every day was my biggest thrill. Being part of a team and competing in games against other athletes and just pushing myself to do my best.”

As hard as she worked for the basketball program, she worked even harder for her Stout degree, Thomas said.

“Yonna understood the value of getting a college education and how that would open up a new world of opportunity for her,” Thomas said.

Grey would go on to earn her bachelors degree in early childhood education. Grey has taught at in the Jackson County, Minn, Central School District, at Starland School in Gibbons, Minn., and at Immanual Lutheran in Lakefield, Minn. She has coached middle school basketball and softball.

Grey currently resides in Sherburn, Minn., with her husband, Brian Ruschy, and daughter, Madison.