University of Minnesota Athletics
Hall of Fame Q&A: Grant Johnson
9/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Editor’s Note: Gophersports.com spoke with Grant Johnson, who is a 2008 inductee of the University of Minnesota “M” Club Hall of Fame. Johnson was a key member of Minnesota’s 1937 Big Ten champion and 1938 Big Ten runner-up men’s basketball teams and the third member of the 1937 squad to earn a spot in the “M” Club Hall of Fame, Johnson was a driving force for the Gophers at both ends of the floor throughout his career. A guard and defensive specialist that was a coaches’ dream and is best remembered as the type of hard-nosed player that always seemed to make life easier for his teammates thanks to his superior defensive abilities.
Gophersports.com: What does it mean to you to be inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame?
Grant Johnson: "As a youngster, I dreamed of someday playing basketball at the University of Minnesota. In both high school and Demolay basketball, I worked hard to become a standout basketball player in hopes that I would get that chance."
"The University of Minnesota did not have scholarships in the 1930's, but Gustavus Adolphus did, so I went to Gustavus for a year on a basketball scholarship. Lloyd “Snapper” Stein from Two Harbors was the athletic trainer at the University of Minnesota and said he would give me a job if I wanted to transfer to the University. He didn't have to ask me twice. It was $15 per semester back then and I could well afford to go with his job offer."
"I have always been a big booster of the University of Minnesota and the Alumni club. I started four University of Minnesota Alumni clubs back in the 1950's & 60's. As a Supt of Schools, I hired many University teachers and in 1953, was the University of Minnesota Alumni King, along with receiving the University of Minnesota Service Award. I am always the recruiter for sports as well as educator for the U of M. Taylor Enerson, a diver for the University is my latest recruitment."
"The University has always been like my second home. This honor is shared with my teammates who I honor as well. This honor is still overwhelming to me and I am happy that my hometown of Two Harbors, family and friends will get a chance to share in this honor with me."
GS: What are you looking forward to the most about the upcoming celebration?
GJ: "I know that the University has set up many activities for the week. I am looking forward to attending all of them. I am anxious to see how the University has changed and see some of the new buildings on campus. I am also looking forward to meeting the other inductees as well as the athletes from the University, the Gopher players along with Coach Smith, Joe Maturi and George Adzick who has been so wonderful to my family these past few years. And I hope Sid Hartman is there so we can talk about the “Good ole days!” He was a favorite sports writer of mine."
"As the story goes, one of my jobs was to guard the football player’s area so that none of the sports writers would see practice. Sid and the guys were always trying to get in. So I told Sid if he went up to the library, he could look down and see the guys playing. I think after that I had a sports friend for life."
GS: What are some of your fondest moments at the University of Minnesota?
GJ: "I could easily write a book about my experiences at the University of Minnesota. To have roomed with John Kundla and play with the likes of so many terrific guys is something that amazes me to this day."
"Playing in Madison Square Garden with my fellow basketball players has to be the top sports memory of going to the University of Minnesota."
"Also, to meet sports writers, Sid Hartman, Dick Cullum, Ted Peterson, Charley Johnson and Joe Hendrickson who loved sports like I did was a thrill. Just putting on that basketball outfit that meant I was a part of the University - made me proud. "
"The many road trips broadened my horizons. I had never been out of the state of Minnesota until we played in Madison Square Garden for the championship. We ate at Jack Dempsey’s restaurant and I still have that menu today."
"Sports should implement education and not supplement it. I placed education as my main goal and was very much rewarded."
Is there any one game that stands out to you while you were a member of the Gophers?
We won many close games with a strong defense and sound passing. But the best game ever was winning the Big Ten Championship Basketball game in Madison Square Garden with John Kundla, my roommate and my talented teammates. Being runners up the following year when they said we would not even place was a thrill as well. The excitement of it all was like a kids dream come true."
What was it like to be coached by Dave MacMillan, one of the winninest coaches in U of M History?
"Dave McMillian was a Scotsman. When we played at Madison Square Garden, he gave us each 50 cents a day to see all of New York. He was an avid golfer. He was a New York Knickerbacker player and came out to the mid West and was very well respected. The coach was a very handsome fella. Very down to earth and the team players liked him."
"One funny incident happened on our last game of the year with Notre Dame. Coach always wanted everyone to play in that last game of the season. So after the game, we were down in the locker room where we were being fed. Coach says to Butch Nash, “Where were you during the game?” Butch says, “I was sitting right next to you coach! You were pointing and hitting me every time you were sending in a new player.” Coach was so intense at the game, he had not even realized that Butch was sitting next to him throughout that game and he never put him in. We all got a big chuckle out of that one."
"On the other hand, he was all about defense when it was basketball on the court. He felt if we could control the ball, our opposition couldn’t score. He did not give pep talks. We meshed as a team and to his credit, he gave us lots of latitude to play the game as it should be played."
You played basketball for most of your life. What is you favorite element of the game?
"I excelled in defense. I always was guarding the high scorer. Coach MacMillan complimented me on my crisp passing. The 1937-38 teammates were a very close bunch of guys. We were a team of friendship on the court as well as off the court.
"As an administrator, teacher or coach, I supported and was at all sports games. I never missed the Minnesota State Basketball League tournaments. In fact, my eldest daughter was born during the 1946 basketball tournament. After Kathe’s birth, I was off to the Minnesota championship game held in Minneapolis. It was the time for the past jocks to get together and talk stories about their past games as well as watch the new players perform."
"When I was not playing basketball, I was an avid supporter of the Minnesota State Basketball League as a member, secretary and their President."
You were an educator in your professional life. What did you take from your time at the “U” that you were able to utilize while in education?
"I tried as a teacher, coach and administrator, to touch each individual and have them pursue their own special goals in life. Life affords many opportunities whether in education or sports and the learning never stops. You have the tools to educate others from your learning experiences and giving is such an important role to play. I am very proud of the fact that my five children and five grandchildren have all received their college education. Plus they are all sports nuts like me!"
Do you still stay in contact with any of your former teammates?
"John Kundla is the only living teammate but before the others passed on, we would meet during the Minnesota State Basketball Tournament at what was called the Jock Convention and trade stories and get caught up with our families. Last year, although John and I have written letters over the year, we actually saw each other for the first time in probably 50 some years."
What are your views on the current Gopher program?
"Living in Florida, I don’t always get to see the Gopher games. But I am the first to look at the sports page and my son Jeff or son-in-law Mark are quick to know I want those scores, and keep me updated. My whole family lives for education and sports."
"I met Coach Tubby Smith last year when John Kundla and I presented a signed 1937 Big Ten Gopher Championship Basketball picture to the University. My family and I we're very impressed with the coach as a person and his enthusiasm for the future of the Gopher basketball team. I think that the Gophers are going to be a great team for the future under Coach Tubby Smith and will surprise a few Big Ten teams along the way."
Any advice for the current Minnesota Gophers?
"Try to excel in both defense and offense. Cut errors and bad judgment to a zero level. Avoid crosscourt passes. Fouls often times are a sign of weakness. Play aggressively but position yourself well on defense as to many games are won by free throws shots. Raise your spirits to the highest level.
