Airedales honor John Grant
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
John Grant says he couldn’t have imagined coaching in a place as big as Charles B. Dyer Arena.
“I don’t know if I’d be able to coach in something this big without people standing right over my shoulder,” Grant said. “Mr. Dyer always dreamed of something this nice, but when it happened, we couldn’t believe it.”
Grant was just as surprised this week when Alma Schools honored him for his 50-plus years of contributions to its schools and athletic teams. Grant is the only basketball coach to have served as both the head girls coach and head boys coach, a feat he accomplished over 12 years from 1975-86.
The Dover native, who also helped the school’s track team to a state title, also coached football and volleyball during his tenure with Alma Schools.
Athletic Director Doug Loughridge said it was nice giving back to someone with as much influence on Alma athletics as Grant.
“He’s our No. 1 fan; he’s at every tournament, and he’s at every ballgame,” Loughridge said. “He did a lot here … he was head girls basketball coach, head boys basketball coach, and he coached volleyball, football, and track. He was involved in the youth leagues, too.
“He is a great example of the small-town coach who does everything.”
Today’s coaches tend to specialize more, Loughridge said.
“Most of them specialize, and he’s done it all,” Loughridge said. “He did everything.”
Grant was honored at the half of Alma’s boys game with Greenwood Tuesday night. Perhaps his wisdom carried over to the second half of the game, too, as Alma erased a 30-25 halftime deficit and blitzed
Greenwood, 74-56.
In addition to Alma, Grant coached at Belleville, Scranton, Fort Smith St. Anne’s, and Lonoke.
“I’m a little embarrassed,” Grant said of being honored. “But I’ve been here 50 years.”
Grant coached at Alma when Dyer reigned as the superintendent.
“It’s a combination of the administration doing things right and the wonderful support we’ve always gotten from the citizens of Alma, our football fans, and our basketball fans.
“You get here and you just don’t want to leave."