Class of 1970

Mike English graduated from GCHS in the Class of 1970. During his years at Grant, he participated in basketball, volleyball, track, baseball, and intramurals. He went on to attend Western Illinois University and Brigham Young University to pursue a masters and doctoral degree. He took an early interest in coaching women’s volleyball and expanding opportunities for collegiate female athletes. Mike had a vision for female athletes long before Title IX was instituted. At the time, he found himself at the forefront of colleges and universities who were moving quickly to address new Title IX mandates. His first full time Division I coaching position was at the University of Missouri in Columbia where he compiled a record of 129-75. In 1986, he began a career at the University of Wyoming. He earned High Country Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors in 1987 and 1989 and was named West Region Co-Coach of the Year in 1989. He still holds the record for the most coaching victories at Wyoming and had an overall career coaching record of 253-161. Sadly, Mike was seriously injured in an auto accident in 1993 and suffered a traumatic brain injury. He passed away November 20, 2000. His legacy as a coach and leader of a movement seeking equality for women’s athletics lives on through the Mike English Volleyball Scholarship at the University of Wyoming.