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Posted: 02/06/13

Ganfield to be inducted
into coaching hall of fame

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      One of Romeo's native sons will be among those honored for their hard work in leading students to victory on and off the field.
       Greg Ganfield, a former Romeo football and baseball coach, will be one of 14 inductees into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association's 2013 Hall of Fame.
       Ganfield, a Romeo native and Romeo High School graduate, coached both varsity and freshmen football and baseball in the district. He will be inducted as a Romeo coach on March 23 during a dinner held in honor of the coaches in Ann Arbor.
       "I'm very humbled and very honored, and I'm especially pleased to be inducted as a Romeo coach because that's my hometown," he said. "When I retired, they had a little party for me, and I remember saying I will always be a Bulldog at heart."
       Ganfield coached for a year beginning in 1971 at Romeo Junior High, then moved to Powell Middle School from 1974 to 1980 and finished his coaching career in Romeo in 2002. Ganfield also taught physical education and English while in Romeo.
       He moved on to coach in the Pontiac school district from 2008 to 2009, then to Grand Rapids in 2010, where he still coaches.
       Ganfield said the aspect he has enjoyed most about coaching is being involved with the students and his fellow coaches.
       "Hopefully I'm having a positive impact on young people's lives, that they move along and become solid citizens, loving fathers and husbands," he said. "The relationships and friendships I've made with opposing coaches as well as assistant coaches that have been on my staff . . . they're more like family than work associates."
       Greg Brynaert, athletics director, said he was excited for Ganfield's induction, adding Ganfield was deserving of it due to the time and energy he put into his coaching.
       "He is a tough competitor and the true definition of a Bulldog, we're proud to have had him as a coach at our school," he said.
       Ganfield said when it comes to Romeo, he always thought there was "tremendous support" and pride from the student body as well as staff and parents for the athletic program
       He said one of his favorite highlights from his Romeo career was during his last year of coaching baseball, where the team would go on to defeat the number one ranked team.
       "When we came home we stopped the bus in the middle of town and sang the fight song with the fans that congregated," he said. "That was a great way to go out."
       His advice for his fellow coaches is to enjoy the process and enjoy the camaraderie the job offers with students and staff.
       "You're not going to make a lot of money, so your rewards and gratifications have to come from those types of things," he said. "Be true to yourself, be your own person<you can't fool the kids if you're not genuine, they'll see through that."
       He also thanked his family for their support, noting that he coached his two sons while in Romeo with the support of his wife of 44 years.
       "It's not easy being a coach's wife, so I'm very thankful for all the blessings," he said.