Coaches are always studying, usually film of opponents or recruits. However, new Wisconsin Badgers men’s hockey head coach Tony Granato is doing studying of a different kind these days.
That’s because one of his contract requirements is that he finish off his bachelor’s degree some 30-plus years after he last stepped foot in a classroom on the UW campus. As the New York Times points out, Granato finished just 16 credits short of his degree when his NHL career began, largely because of international duty for Team USA during his UW career.
So he has taken up the final credits needed, with a pair of classes completed this summer and another pair of classes in both the fall and spring semesters. He will graduate in May and fulfill his end of the bargain.
Our students did an awesome job at the Student Shoot-Out!! Can't wait to have you rocking the Kohl Center! pic.twitter.com/BpmRRCx8T0
— Tony Granato (@TonyGranato) September 21, 2016
No doubt it is a unique situation for Granato, being 52 years old in class with people who are young enough to be his own children. However, he has a fresh look on getting his degree, one he didn’t have while attending UW on a hockey scholarship back in the day.
“I was a good student, but I wasn’t a great student because I didn’t love school. I did well, and didn’t mind it, but my drive was hockey. Now, I’m enjoying it. It’s a different experience, because now I see the importance of learning and why you need to keep learning.”
The logistics of studying while also coaching hockey make it a challenge, to say the least. He has duties to his team and to his school work, not to mention finding classes that fit with a travel schedule, in between practices and other responsibilities as the head coach on a day-to-day basis.
Juggling it all is about time management, something Granato has gotten a crash course in during his short time at the helm of the once-proud Badgers hockey program.
“It’s been a challenge, just from the standpoint that there are lots of things going on during the day, and you’ve got to prioritize,” he said. “I’ve got to make sure I’m taking care of the school part of it.”
We mic'ed @TonyGranato for practice and got his thoughts on things before the opening weekend. Watch:https://t.co/zTvO3NBi93
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 6, 2016
It’s something no other men’s hockey head coach is likely facing heading in to the 2016-17 season, let alone his first-ever job at the collegiate level.
However, Granato has plenty of respected and talented coaching help in this endeavor. With Tony on board, Badgers athletic director Barry Alvarez was also able to get US National Development Team coach Don Granato and long-time collegiate hockey guru Mark Osiecki on board to fill out the staff.
Ironically, both were on Alvarez’s short-list for the head coaching position before a conversation with Tony about Don led to Alvarez inquiring about his interest. It led to Granato also putting together this staff with a quick pair of phone calls.
Having these three together has re-energized a fanbase that had grown tired of losing hockey, and season ticket sales are up 16 percent from last season.
Fixing the on-ice product will also help to bring the fans, who are passionate enough to have led the nation in attendance for 38 of the 43 seasons leading up to 2011-12.
The Tony Granato era will begin on Friday night as the Badgers take on Northern Michigan in a series to be played in Green Bay, Wis.
