[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 206 (Monday, December 7, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1102-E1103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF BOYD GRANT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 7, 2020

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a former 
Fresno State basketball coach, Mr. Boyd Grant, who passed away at the 
age of 87. He was a father, friend and one of the finest coaches in 
history.
  Boyd, who grew up in the agricultural region of Idaho, had a love for 
basketball. He played for three seasons at Colorado State University as 
a guard, after transferring from Snow College in Utah. After college, 
he returned to his alma mater to serve as the assistant basketball 
coach, a position he held for nearly 12 years. In 1961, the teams 
coached by he and legendary Coach Jim Williams, won a conference 
championship and participated in four NCAA tournaments.
  From 1972 to 1974, Mr. Grant served as an assistant coach at the 
University of Kentucky, before beginning his head coaching career at 
the College of Southern Idaho, a junior college that he led to a 
national championship a year later.
  Boyd furthered his career by serving as a highly successful head 
coach at California State University, Fresno. During his tenure, he led 
the Bulldogs to three Western Athletic Conference championships, three 
NCAA Tournaments and the 1983 NIT Championship. He was inducted to the 
Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993. He was also inducted into the

[[Page E1103]]

Colorado State Athletics Hall of Fame and the National Junior College 
Basketball Hall of Fame.
  Boyd's leadership and coaching strengthened Fresno State's basketball 
program. The team led the nation in scoring and defense in his first 
season and were ranked in the top 10 in every one of his nine years as 
coach. His career at Fresno State included a record of 194-74 over his 
nine seasons, including the winning the NIT championship in 1983 and 
earning spots in the NCAA Tournament in 1981, 1982, and in 1984.
  He left Fresno State in 1986 and a year later, was named head coach 
at Colorado State, where he led the Rams to two NCAA tournaments within 
the four years he was there. After a long and successful career, he 
retired from coaching in 1991.
  Boyd impacted the lives of people who surrounded him, with many of 
his former students describing him as a father. Boyd lived a great life 
doing what he loved the most, coaching and playing basketball.
  He is survived by his wife, Mary Jean; their son, Kevin, and two 
daughters Leslie and Lori.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating and 
honoring the life of a basketball legend, Mr. Boyd Grant. His teachings 
and legacy will be remembered for many years to come. We join his 
family, friends and community in honoring his great life and legacy.

                          ____________________