He parlayed his university success into national-level opportunities, being selected to coach the Canadian National team in various roles, including six Commonwealth Games, three Pan American Games, eight Olympics/Paralympics and 11 World Championships. His time with Canada was headlined by serving as head coach at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
But even with his success as a national team coach, Gramantik never forgot his roots. Though he is no longer the Dinos’ head track and field coach, he continues to work with the program to this day as an assistant coach.
“I always believed in loyalty in life, and I think the university was good to me, even with opportunities in other places,” Gramantik said when asked why he’s stuck with the Dinos for so long. “If you're happy somewhere, you don't need to switch. And I was happy with the program, I was happy with the organization.”
His years of dedication to the Dinos have seen Gramantik work with several incredible athletes, and not only help them succeed at the university level, but go on to have national team careers as well.
One particular group of athletes, who was given the group nickname the “University of Gramantik,” made a lasting impact on the legendary coach.
Rachael McIntosh, Katelyn Lehner, Rachel Machin and Niki Oudenaarden are four athletes that Gramantik helped succeed on the track, but also maintains a close relationship with their former coach.
The four athletes combined to accumulate more points at the U SPORTS level than any other university. They continue to get together with Gramantik to this day to share stories and laughs, which is something that’s always been very important to Gramantik.
“We're connected very well,” Gramantik said of his connection with his four former athletes. “So that's important to me. I don't want athletes to leave me and goodbye, nothing to say.”
