Description

Proud Tamalpais High School teacher and track coach Bruce Grant was born in Hollywood, California in 1928. Three years later, Bruce's family moved to Glendale, Los Angeles County, where he attended local schools and participated in track and field. Bruce first gained familiarity with Northern California while pursuing studies and athletics at the University of California, Berkeley and eventually chose to call the area home, in part due to the abundance of fresh air --- a boon for his running. Both before and during his long teaching career, Bruce spent time sailing the South Seas with Matson Lines, a tourist and navigation company. He began his teaching at Sonoma High School, and in 1963, moved to Tamalpais High School as a history teacher and track and field coach. In the interview, Bruce describes major social changes that occurred during the 1960s, '70s and '80s and how these changes manifested at the high school level and deeply impacted the community and culture at Tam High. He touches on a range of historical events, including the rise of hippie subculture, racial issues, the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. Bruce also delves into his long-time role as a track and field coach. He recounts the changes he made to the athletics program and his drive to improve, and further recalls with detail and clarity the many accomplishments of Tam High track students.

Record Contributed By

Mill Valley Public Library

Record Harvested From

California Digital Library