When one thinks of Clark University Athletics, the name Russ Granger immediately comes to mind. He was associated with the University beginning with his enrollment as a student in 1934 and ending with his retirement from collegiate athletic administration and coaching in 1990.
A two-sport athlete in baseball and basketball, Granger was the basketball team captain for two years and was a four-year pitcher on the baseball team. As a senior, he received the athletic department’s Hebert Trophy, given to the top male senior athlete.
After graduating from Clark in 1938, Granger stayed on to earn his master’s degree in 1939. He also coached basketball, baseball, and soccer and served as assistant athletic director. In 1949, he took over as athletic director, beginning a 30-year uninterrupted administration which concluded in 1978.
Although he passed on the duties of athletic director, Granger stayed on as golf coach, a position he held from 1950 to 1990.
Overall, he coached more than 70 seasons in four sports spanning five decades. In 1982, it was fitting that the annual Russ Granger Scholar-Athlete Award was established at Clark to recognize the department’s outstanding male student-athlete.
An additional honor was bestowed on Granger when the athletic department’s outdoor facilities on Beaver Street were also named in his honor. In 1987, the Eastern College Athletic Conference presented Granger with a Distinguished Achievement Award.
Russ is married to Katherine, and they’ve had four children: David, Nancy (Clark ‘60, MA ‘62), John, and Paul (Clark ‘70).
PRESENTER:
Matthew Stepanski ‘42
