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Nearly seven years ago, my parents moved my family from St. Paul to St. Paul Park. There was no welcome wagon and the neighbors didn’t bring over jell-o molds to welcome us to the community. In fact, I spent my high school years there and any contact with neighbors was a rare occasion. I’m not sure when or how but I became acquainted with the man who lives across the street, Granville Smith.

On this sunny afternoon, Granville’s home was my destination. The end of the summer made me realize that the beginning of my tenure in the sports department for the Oracle was under way. Through my conversations with Granville, who is affectionately called Granny, the idea appeared to me that the best way to begin my tenure as editor of sports would be to recognize the man who has loved Hamline Athletics for over sixty years.

Through my conversations and interview with Granville, I realized that our friendship is riddled with coincidences. Granville, 86 years old, graduated from Hamline in 1945 after he served in World War II. After college, he went on to teach at the high school I attended, Park in Cottage Grove. Granville was retired long before I arrived at Park but he taught there for an astounding thirty-eight years--a storied tenure for a storied man.

Listening to the man recount stories of Hamline, as it was sixty years prior to our arrival, puts new perspective on what it is like to be a Piper. His affinity for Hamline may only be rivaled by his affinity for sports. He grew up in a time different from ours today, but not as different as you may think. “Some people were coming back [from war] and some people were leaving. There weren’t too many men on campus either,” recalls a smirking Granville.

He started his collegiate career with World War II in full swing. We began our collegiate careers in the shallow wake of the war with Iraq and the “War on Terrorism.” The same discussions we have in our classes, they had back then too. “We talked about war in the class rooms and on campus...I guess there will always be war but different players,” Granville said with woe.

His story doesn’t begin at Hamline. Granville was born in St. Paul, near the Rice Street neighborhood back in 1921. He went to Washington High School and spent some time at a college in Colorado before transferring to St. Thomas for his junior year. Granville decided to enlist in the American Air Corp, making his time as a Tommie short. Upon coming home, he picked up his collegiate career at Hamline and never regretted it.

He spent his time in college much like anyone else for the time but by today’s standards, Granville was heavily involved at Hamline. In his short time here, we was a player on some of the university’s best basketball and baseball teams, he played intramural sports too, and was the sports editor for the Oracle.

Thanks to the G.I. Bill, Granville was able to afford his education. “The G.I. Bill gave kids a chance to go back and finish their education. Kids returning to college got deals on everything they needed for school,” said Granville. In 1945, Granville became the first veteran to graduate from Hamline under the G.I. Bill. In a write up done in the St. Paul Dispatch, Granville was quoted as saying, “The Bill gives those who want to finish their education a swell break.”

After talking to Granville, one thing is clear, he has a great appreciation for Hamline and credits our university for helping to lead the life that he has lived. Being a Hamline graduate gave him an edge when applying for teaching positions. A friend from Hamline recommended that he apply for a teaching position in the developing community of St. Paul Park in the early 50s. He got an edge from Hamline again, thanks to the fact that of the two school board members in charge of hirings were also former Pipers. He went on to teach Park until the day he retired.

Even though he’s had it for sixty-some years, the appreciation for his education and memories at Hamline have not worn off for Granville. Talking to him, you get the sense that his diploma is worth more to him than all the accolades he’s collected over the years. He was runner-up for the U.S. National School Baseball Coach of the year in 1978, the baseball field at Park High is named after him, he’s in the Minnesota High School Coaches Hall of Fame and is a charter member of the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame. He won’t talk to you about any of those things with you for hours like he will about Hamline though.

Granville “Granny” Smith makes me appreciate my education and my time spent at Hamline. As a Piper, it’s reassuring to your self and the decisions you’ve made to spend time listening to him.

I conclude with his motto for life and teaching. It personifies how he lives and has lived his life and it is words of wisdom for anyone who is wasting time or taking things for granted.

“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to my fellow creatures, let me not defer nor neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.”