LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of legendary New York City
Public High School Coach Charles Granby

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay proper tribute
to individuals of great character whose lives exemplify the highest
ideals of humanity; and
WHEREAS, Coach Charles Granby of Queens, New York, died on Tuesday,
March 1, 2016, at the age of 81; he spent more than four decades compil-
ing records coaching high school basketball and producing countless
college basketball players; and
WHEREAS, Born in North Carolina, Charles "Chuck" Granby grew up in
Harlem, the Bronx and Queens with his brother and sister; and
WHEREAS, Charles Granby proudly served his country as a member of the
United States Army in the Medical Corps at Fort Knox, Kentucky; after
his discharge, he graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois,
and earned his master's degree from Hunter College in New York City; and
WHEREAS, As a student at Bradley University, he played on the
nationally ranked basketball team; he was instrumental in the team
winning the National Invitational Tournament in 1960; and
WHEREAS, Charles Granby was both a teacher and coach in the New York
City Public School System for 45 years at Andrew Jackson, which is now
called Campus Magnet High School; he retired from teaching in 1996, but
continued to coach the Boys' Varsity Basketball Team through the 2014
season; and
WHEREAS, On December 20, 2011, Charles Granby achieved a high point in
his coaching career by obtaining his 700th win in the Public Schools
Athletic League (PSAL); he was the first coach to reach this milestone
in the history of the PSAL; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his storied coaching career, Charles Granby was
one of the winningest coaches in the history of New York City basketball
with an overall record of 722-213; in 2012, this remarkable man was
inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure at Andrew Jackson/Campus Magnet High
School, Coach Charles Granby and his teams had many notable accomplish-
ments including making the PSAL playoffs for 41 years, and were Divi-
sional Champs for 24 years, Quarter-finalists for 19 years, Queens
Champs for seven years, Semi-finalists for six years, PSAL finalists for
four years and made the state tournaments twice, in 1984 and 1985; they
also won the PSAL NYC Championship Title in 1985; and
WHEREAS, During the 1980s, Coach Charles Granby held his dream job,
coaching in the Empire State Games in Syracuse, New York; along with
Coach Paul Brown, he led his teams to win eight straight gold medals at
the Empire State Open Men's Basketball Tournament; and
WHEREAS, Considered the Dean of New York City Coaches, Charles Granby
has recorded the second most wins of any coach in PSAL history, and was
named 1984-1985 Coach of the Year by the NYSBA, NEWSDAY's Coach of the
Year six times and the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Coach of the Year five times;
and
WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to the sport of
basketball, Charles Granby was the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades including the 1993 NYSBCA Recognition Award and the 1997 Pro-
Am Achievement Award; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he was inducted into the Brooklyn Basketball
Hall of Fame in 1996, and the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in
2005; he was also the subject of numerous full page articles in the NEW
YORK TIMES; and

WHEREAS, For several seasons, Charles Granby coached Wheelchair Tour-
naments, the Big Apple Games, and worked with Elmcor and Pro-Am on
several projects; he organized the Annual Thanksgiving Basketball Clas-
sic at York College which gave exposure to many local high schools
throughout New York; a true community affair, local players and families
looked forward to an afternoon of highly competitive basketball the
Sunday after Thanksgiving; and
WHEREAS, To his many players, Charles Granby was not just a coach, he
was more like a father or big brother; by stressing the importance of
higher education, he was influential in the lives of many of his play-
ers, helping them to attain full scholarships to top colleges and
universities; he was extremely proud of the high college placement rate
among his basketball players; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his many years of coaching, Charles Granby
constantly gave his players the "ugly life" speech, informing them that
without education, everything in their life would be ugly; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his Christian faith, Charles Granby was a faithful
member of the St. Albans Congregational Church for 40 years; he partic-
ipated in the Men's Fellowship and the Deacon Board and enthusiastically
supported the Church until the day he died; and
WHEREAS, Charles Granby is survived by his loving daughter, Robyn; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Charles Granby leaves
behind a remarkable legacy which will long endure the passage of time
and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served, coached, and
befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of legendary New York City Public High School Coach
Charles Granby; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Charles Granby.