Claude McGrath

Claude F. McGrath (March 29, 1904 – February 24, 1989)[1] was a college basketball coach and athletic director at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He was the head coach of the Bulldogs from 1933[2] to 1942. McGrath served in the military during World War II and returned to Gonzaga in 1946 for three seasons.[3] His overall record as head coach stands at 129-133 (.492).[4]

Claude McGrath
Biographical details
Born(1904-03-29)March 29, 1904
Spokane, Washington
DiedFebruary 24, 1989(1989-02-24) (aged 84)
Spokane, Washington
Alma materGonzaga University, 1929
Playing career
Football
1923–1926Gonzaga
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Basketball
1933–1942Gonzaga
1946–1949Gonzaga
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1939–1942Gonzaga
1946–1949Gonzaga

Born in Spokane in 1904, McGrath was a four-sport athlete at North Central High School and graduated in 1923.[2] He initially attended the University of Idaho in Moscow to play college football as a quarterback for the Vandals under head coach Matty Mathews.[5] He soon returned to Spokane and enrolled at Gonzaga, where he played football under head coaches Gus Dorais and Clipper Smith.[5]

McGrath graduated in 1929 and taught at Mead High School, where he became principal and later the superintendent of the school district.[6] He coached multiple sports at both Mead High and Gonzaga University and became the Bulldogs' head basketball coach in 1933[2][7][8] and added the duties of athletic director in 1939.[9] McGrath spent over three years in the U.S. Army Air Forces as an athletic trainer in the Second Air Force and was discharged as a major. He returned to Gonzaga in 1946, then resigned both positions after three seasons in April 1949 to work in the private sector.[3]

McGrath later became a purchasing agent for the Spokane school district in the late 1950s,[10] and retired in 1969. He died in Spokane at age 84 in February 1989.[6]

References
  1. "Claude MeGrath". Death Record. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  2. "McGrath to coach basketball at Gonzaga". Spokane Daily Chronicle. November 12, 1932. p. 10.
  3. Ashlock, Herb (April 5, 1949). "McGrath resigns as Gonzaga athletic director". Spokane Daily Chronicle. p. 15.
  4. Gonzaga Basketball History - Page 51 of 62
  5. "From the bench". Spokane Daily Chronicle. May 26, 1937. p. 18.
  6. "Claude F. McGrath". Spokane Chronicle. obituary. February 28, 1989. p. A12.
  7. "McGrath has hard job ahead". Spokane Daily Chronicle. photo. December 26, 1932. p. 13.
  8. "Big time basketball season open Friday". Spokane Daily Chronicle. December 29, 1932. p. 8.
  9. "Claude M'Grath is named Gonzaga athletic head". Spokesman-Review. March 6, 1939. p. 1.
  10. "Purchase agent saw coach duty". Spokane Daily Chronicle. October 24, 1962. p. 22.
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