Bud Grant

College of Education and Human Development and President's Office, April 12, 2010

Bud Grant, member of the CFLK Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, pursued his education in the College of Education at the University of Minnesota from 1946-1949. After World War II, he came back and enrolled at the University, where he earned a starting spot on the Gophers football team, and then landed a starting spot with the basketball team that winter. In the spring, he pitched for the Gophers baseball team. He played all three sports throughout his career at Minnesota, earning nine letters. He was drafted as a professional athlete before obtaining his degree. He had an opportunity to play with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1950, but decided to play basketball for the Minnesota Lakers and continued to pitch for various town teams. After two years with the Lakers, he finally agreed to play for the Eagles in the NFL. He later played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers until 1957 when he was hired to be the team's coach. In 1967, he joined the Vikings, where he became known as the "winningest" coach in Vikings history and a strict disciplinarian who respected his players. He led the team to 11 division championships and four Super Bowl games. He retired from coaching in 1983, but was lured back for the 1985 season. He is the only coach to have led teams to more than 100 victories in the CFL and the NFL. He is described as a dedicated family man who has a passion for the preservation of natural resources. He is well known for his advocacy for conservation and the protection of wildlife and Minnesota's natural resources. Bud Grant is indeed a legend.