|
|
|
Freshman
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/2/2012 11:51:12 AM
Posts: 25,
Visits: 57
|
|
Say it isn't so with Granstra, he was just starting to get fun to watch.
wiufan
|
|
|
|
|
Freshman
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/26/2011 12:55:17 PM
Posts: 32,
Visits: 1,017
|
|
It's definitely true James will be graduating this spring.He has decided to forgo his last year of eligibility to pursue his career in construction management.He and his family would like thank Coach Mo,the whole men's basketball family at WIU,and all the people on this board along with others that have supported him at WIU.
Larry Granstra(James' dad)
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 10:26:18 PM
Posts: 2,649,
Visits: 5,214
|
|
Congrats to James!
I have watched him play all three years. He was fun to watch this past season.
The fans won't get to honor him on Senior Night in February 2011, so I will send him a "Thanks" via Leatherneck Nation.
Let's Go WESTERN!!
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:41:10 PM
Posts: 727,
Visits: 2,563
|
|
| Well thanks for verifying the info about James and hope he knows how much and he will be missed and how much he had improved as a college basketball player, but know we are glad he is moving on with his life and looks like he has his future plans well under way. Thanks for your time at WIU James.
|
|
|
|
|
Freshman
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/2/2012 11:51:12 AM
Posts: 25,
Visits: 57
|
|
Congratulations to James and his dad Larry. I just want to say it was fun to watch James develop as a basketball player the last four years. Good luck moving forward and enjoy.
wiufan
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Guru
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:59:48 PM
Posts: 1,078,
Visits: 2,289
|
|
I wish James well also. But, if I am head coach, I am not really all that happy with the loss of my potential 5th year big man and probable co-captain. I can't blame him for wanting to move on to the next part of his life. I would not be surprised if he has a special someone waiting for him at home, or graduating also. He really showed great courage and perceverance hanging in there with first DT, and then the Mo transition. He could have thrown up his hands and said enough! But he did not. He improved! Boy did he improve.
I wish him well, but I sure wish he was coming back. I am disappointed that he will not be part of WIU's smothering defense once again, for the 4th and final time. The program will move on with out him and maybe that's okay. Someone is really going to have to step up and they will. But still!!!!!
I can't help wondering what you all would have said if this had happened to Leslie?????? The questions, the doubts!!!!! But I have no doubt in MO, and maybe the rest of you do not either. Just a thought. B-Ball, what do you think?
jc
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/24/2010 4:17:08 PM
Posts: 280,
Visits: 1,064
|
|
I can't imagine that James did this without talking to Coach Mo. And as committed as Coach Mo is to his student-athletes, I expect that he is supporting James' decision. It is what is best for James, an in the essence of a Coach who want the best for his players, that is exactly what Coach Mo would want. Sure, it will make it tougher for the team, but they will also have a model of excellence to follow - a student-athlete who grew as a person and a player, and yes, graduated in 4 years while playing the hardest sport in which to maintain good academics since it covers both semester.
With respect to Coach Crane, the last of her players to have a 5th-year eligibility issue was Rita Castens who did play that 5th year, but then again, she also hadn't completed her graduation requirements, so there is no comparison with James' accomplishment and decision.
Congratulations James, the Granstra family, and Coach Mo.
|
|
|
|
|
Freshman
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/26/2011 12:55:17 PM
Posts: 32,
Visits: 1,017
|
|
James is graduating in 3 years.He graduated from high school May 2007.He has maintained a 4.0 GPA the past 4 semesters.He will receive his diploma after completing his internship with Kiewit Construction Company this summer.He has made this decision after many hours of conversation with myself and Coach Mo.James plans on working on his career for 1 or 2 years and then enroll in a MBA program with an emphasis on construction management(not available at WIU). The 1 to 2 years of employment is a suggestion of the MBA program.
James does not feel another year of basketball would benefit him in the long range scheme of things so he is ready to move on now.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/24/2010 4:17:08 PM
Posts: 280,
Visits: 1,064
|
|
Very impressive indeed to graduate in 3 years Thanks for the additional details on James.
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 10:26:18 PM
Posts: 2,649,
Visits: 5,214
|
|
Congrats to James!
Let's Go WESTERN!!
|
|
|
|