MEDICINE HAT, AB – Boris Grisonich may have been your kid’s coach or even your coach.
In our community, he’s a local legend who’s behind eight south zone titles and 13 consecutive years of provincials.
Recently, Medicine Hat High School renamed its gym in honour of him. It will be called “The Boris Grisonich Athletic Centre.”
“It was a no-brainer in my opinion. That was one of the first things I wanted to do was to keep his legacy here,” said Chad Watson, Senior Boys’ coach at Medicine Hat High School.
Besides Grisonich’s coaching record, he was a driving force behind the “modernizing” of Medicine Hat High School in 2017.
“Together we had started this modernization journey, and we had to fundraise a lot of money. I got to play a major role in all the decision-making and we were able to build just a fantastic school,” said Grisonich.
The modernization led to many changes, from installing a running track, a golf and archery area, full-sized basketball courts, batting cages for baseball to new technology classes.
Overall, it was a $50 million dollar project, and about $7 million dollars was raised with the help of the district, the community and staff.
“It was something that I wanted that would be a great coaching place and a great place for kids to grow up,” said Grisonich.
Watson says Grisonich has contributed in so many ways. But it’s not only him who’s made a difference.
“I mean, I think not only Boris but his brothers have really been the founding fathers of basketball in Medicine Hat community,” said Watson.
The Grisonich brothers have coached basketball since 1990. In addition, they started the MyBasketball program in the 90’s, a club system and held basketball camps.
Just last year, Grisonich was recognized for his coaching by the Alberta Schools Athletics Association’s (ASAA) in the Hall of Fame.
