Kevin Grimmer Obituary-Death News; Former SUNY Poly Coach, Kevin Grimmer Passes Away
We regret to inform you that, on Monday, November 6, 2023, Kevin Michael Grimmer, 64, of Utica, died quietly at home following a valiant battle with ALS.
On May 24, 1959, he was born to James and Maureen (Raymer) Grimmer. Growing up in North Utica, he was surrounded by his six siblings and a large number of lifelong friends, including Michael Durr. He wed Sheila Evans, the love of his life and best friend, in 1982. They commemorated 41 amazing years of marriage this August.
Kevin began his lengthy and storied basketball career at St. Peter’s School. He went on to play at Notre Dame High School and Hamilton College, where he was selected to the NCAA Division III First Team All-American. The Margaret Bundy Scott Field House’s rafters display his #44 jersey as a tribute to his noteworthy on-court achievements.
He participated in the English National Basketball Association as a professional player in Birmingham, England from 1981 to 1982 after completing his college career. Throughout his life, he treasured his relationships with his coaches, particularly Joe White and Tom Murphy, as well as too many teammates to mention individually.
Kevin worked as an assistant athletic director, athletic director, and coach of multiple athletic programmes, including men’s and women’s basketball, during his time at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (or SUNY Tech, as he always liked to refer to it).
His direction and inspiration moulded the sports programme, spawned multiple teams and facilities, and helped the Wildcats win multiple conference titles.
He had great memories of the 2009–2010 men’s basketball season, which included an incredible run to the college’s first-ever NCAA Sweet 16 participation. This was because he experienced it alongside his sons, Nick serving as assistant coach and Alex playing on the squad.
His dedication to the programmes and student-athletes that meant the world to him—many of whom grew to become members of his extended familyis demonstrated by the recent naming of the basketball court at SUNY Poly’s Campus Centre Gym in his honour.
