Members
Inductee
GRADY, GOVENOR “SONNY”
GRADY, GOVENOR “SONNY”
Born on November 4, 1933
South Bend
Inducted On
August 11, 1990
Location Inducted
South Bend, IN
Region Number
2
Sb Central
Player
South Bend Central
1952
Led 1951 Bears to undefeated season and mythical state championship as a halfback; won All-State, All-Northern Indiana Eastern Division Conference, and All-Twin-City honors after that season.
Ball State University
1956
Four-year football letterman; selected as Indiana Collegiate Conference's MVP Back 1953; led state in scoring 2 consecutive years, with 78 points in 1953 and 77 points in 1954; ranked third in state in scoring with 64 points in 1952; ICC leading scorer twice, with a 51 point total in 5 league games in 1952 and 66 points in 6 league games in 1954; team MVP 1953, 1954; co-captain 1955.
Remained in Air Force until retirement as a major in 1969; served as a sales representative for Thomas J. Lipton, Inc. of Belton, MO, receiving outstanding professional awards from Lipton for 10 consecutive years; inducted into Ball State Athletic Hall of Fame 1988.
Wife, Geraldine; daughter, Sheri Kaye.
Coaching Experience: Coached the Misaw Air Force football team in Northern Japan in 1956.
Professional Athletic Background: At graduation in 1956, the Baltimore Colts and Cleveland Browns contacted him about playing in the NFL, but he was enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps with a 4-year commitment to the US Air Force.
Professional Athletic Background: At graduation in 1956, the Baltimore Colts and Cleveland Browns contacted him about playing in the NFL, but he was enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps with a 4-year commitment to the US Air Force.
