Grant Football Shop is now open!
Find items that we have picked out specifically for our team. There is also spiritwear available for your family and friends. Check out the shop details below.
OUR SHOP DETAILS
- Shop Now: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/RaqjmBfJyA
- Store Open From: June 5 - June 16, 2025
We wanted to let everyone know that tomorrow's practice is canceled so players and families can attend the Grant vs. Jesuit baseball semifinal come out and support the team!
Practice will resume as normal on Wednesday.
Go Generals!
It was awesome seeing so many of you at last week’s parent meeting! We loved having Coach Beck introduce himself and share his vision for the team—it’s clear we’re in for an exciting season.
We’re looking forward to getting things rolling soon with summer workouts!
A quick heads-up: Football registration is now open on Family ID! You should be able to log into your account and see football listed as an available option. Make sure to get registered so you're all set for the season.
If you signed up to receive emails about volunteer opportunities, keep an eye on your inbox. You’ll be getting a separate message soon with all the roles we’ll need help with this year.
For anyone who couldn’t make the meeting, no worries! You can check out the slide deck here:
👉 Parent Meeting Slide Deck
As always, feel free to reach out with any questions.
We’re excited to kick off the upcoming season with a parent meeting on 6:30 PM Thursday, May 29 in the Upper Commons at Grant High School.
Coach Beck will be there to introduce himself and share a bit about what to expect this season, including key dates, ordering gear, the upcoming schedule, and overall team plans.
We hope to see you there!
A land use hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM to review the proposal for installing permanent lights at Grant Bowl. This is a critical step in securing much-needed field lighting for our community. We need as many supporters as possible to submit written statements or give live testimony in favor of the project. Your voice can make a real difference in helping us move this project forward. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. All the details on how to submit testimony or participate in the hearing can be found here: https://www.portland.gov/auditor/hearings/land-use.
Dear Grant Football Families,
We’re excited to announce that Coach John Beck is returning as Head Football Coach at Grant High School!
Many of you may remember Coach Beck from his first stint leading the Generals, where he guided the team to an impressive 16-2 record in PIL play, earning four league titles—including two outright championships. He built a program rooted in discipline, hard work, and belief—and now he’s back to build on that foundation.
Coach Beck is more than a football coach. He’s a lifelong educator and multi-sport coach who’s worked with student-athletes in softball, track & field, and wrestling at schools including Hermiston, Barlow, North Medford, Crater, and Lakeridge. A proud Oregonian, he grew up in Woodburn and Molalla where he played football, baseball, and wrestled, and later went on to play football at Southern Oregon University.
He’s currently a teacher in Grant’s PE department, which means he’s already invested in our students’ growth both in the classroom and around campus. That daily connection gives him a unique ability to mentor our athletes year-round, not just during the season.
What stands out most is his understanding of what it means to be a General. Coach Beck knows the tradition and pride that comes with wearing blue and gray. He’s committed to working closely with families, alumni, and the broader community to help our players grow into leaders—on the field and beyond.
We’re incredibly lucky to have him back at the helm. Please join us in welcoming Coach Beck back to Grant Football!
Go Generals!
We are working to schedule a parent meeting soon to officially introduce Coach Beck and provide important information about the upcoming season. We’ll share the confirmed date and details as soon as they’re finalized. In the meantime, please review the tentative training and practice schedule below so you can plan accordingly:
June Spring Training:
June 2nd - 4th | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
June 16th - 18th | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Summer Pre-Season Training:
June 30th - July 2nd | 7:30 - 11:00 a.m.
July 7th - 10th | 7:30 - 11:00 a.m.
July 14th - 17th | 7:30 - 11:00 a.m.
July 21st - 24th | 7:30 - 11:00 a.m.
August 4th - 7th | 7:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Training Camp Practices:
August 11th - 15th | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
August 18th - 22nd | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
August 23rd | Team & Individual Pictures (Time TBA)
August 25th - 28th | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
August 29th | Walk-thru Practice (Time TBA)
Normal In-Season Practice Schedule (Starting September 1st):
Mondays | 4:00 - 6:45 p.m.
Tuesdays - Thursdays | 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Hello Team Families,
We’ve made it to Week 6, and our teams are gearing up for another exciting round of games! Please see the schedule for this week's matchups:
Varsity Game:
Date: Thursday, October 10th
Opponent: Ida B. Wells
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Marshall Campus (3905 SE 91st Ave, Portland, OR)
JV Game:
Date: Wednesday, October 9th
Opponent: Ida B. Wells
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Ida B. Wells High School (1151 SW Vermont St, Portland, OR)
Let’s continue to show our support and cheer on our athletes as they advance in the season. Remember to bring your team spirit, and as always, go team!
We are thrilled to announce that Bryan Butcher Jr., President of Grant Youth Football, has been named Oregon's Teacher of the Year! This incredible achievement comes as no surprise to those of us who have had the privilege of seeing his dedication to students both on and off the field.
Mr. Butcher’s commitment to shaping young minds has always been evident, whether he’s coaching on game day or leading in the classroom. His positive influence and passion for teaching have inspired countless students, and it’s wonderful to see his impact now being recognized at the state level.
We are incredibly proud of Bryan and excited to celebrate this much-deserved honor with him. His leadership and dedication to our youth continue to make a lasting difference in our community.
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Butcher on this outstanding achievement!
Go team, and go Mr. Butcher!
Confirming that senior night will be 11/1 this year. For senior night we need you to start getting a few things sent in. We would like parents or guardians to send us a letter that can be read by the announcer when your player is on the field.
Things we need from Parents
Please prepare a 20-30 second letter by 10/25
Tell us who your player is,
How long he has been playing football.
His position, what he lives about the game etc.
Name of Parents/Guardians and family names who may be on field with player for Senior night.
Parents and family will go on field to be presented and honored before the game. This is a really fun night to celebrate our Seniors and the families that support them.
We're entering Week 4, and you know what that means—Homecoming Week is here! It’s time to rally behind our athletes as they face off against Jesuit High School in what promises to be a thrilling set of matchups.
Game Schedule:
Varsity: Friday, 9/27 @ Grant, Kickoff at 3:45 PM
JV: Thursday, 9/26 @ Jesuit, Kickoff at 4:15 PM
Let’s bring the energy! Mark your calendars, grab your Grant gear, and get ready to cheer our teams on to victory. Your support makes all the difference—let’s make it loud!
We’re still looking for a few more game day volunteers, so if you’re able to help, please sign up below and be part of the action!
Go Generals!
We need volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly. We’re specifically looking for volunteers to manage the chains and help out at the concession stand. If you can assist, please sign up as soon as possible here.
Thank you for your continued support!
Hey Grant Football Families,
We’re heading into Week 3, and it’s time to get ready for a great set of matchups against Lincoln High School!
Varsity Game: Friday, 9/20 @ Lincoln, Kickoff 7:00 PM
JV Game: Thursday, 9/19 @ Grant Bowl, Kickoff 4:00 PM
Let’s come together to support our teams and cheer them on to victory! Make sure to mark your calendars, wear your Grant gear, and show up with your game-day spirit.
Go Generals!
As we prepare for our first JV bowl game this week, we need volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly. We’re specifically looking for volunteers to manage the chains on the field—this is a vital role that keeps the game moving.
If you can assist, please sign up as soon as possible here.
Thank you for your continued support!
For senior night we will need you to start getting a few things sent in. We would like parents or guardians to send us a letter that can be read by the announcer when your player is on the field. This is needed the week before senior night (senior night is usually our last Home Game which would be 11/1). I will be confirming the date in next weeks update.
Things we need from Parents
Please prepare a 20-30 second letter by 10/25
Tell us who your player is,
How long he has been playing football.
His position, what he lives about the game etc.
Name of Parents/Guardians and family names who may be on field with player for Senior night.
Parents and family will go on field to be presented and honored before the game. This is a really fun night to celebrate our Seniors and the families that support them.
Hello Football Families,
Welcome to Week 2 of the season! While last week’s game was a tough loss, we were thrilled to see how much growth there has been since practice started. The progress is undeniable, and we’re excited to keep building on it!
This week, both squads will face off against Hood River:
Varsity: Our first bowl game of the year is on Friday, 9/13 at 4 PM. Since it’s an early kickoff, we’ll be hosting a team lunch instead of dinner. Be sure to arrive early—we’re expecting a big crowd, and you won’t want to miss the excitement!
JV: The JV team will play on Thursday, 9/12 at 6 PM in Hood River. Dinner will be provided by Friends of Grant Football (FOGF).
Let’s make this a great week of football!
As we prepare for our first bowl game of the season this Friday, 9/13 at 4 PM, we urgently need volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly. We’re specifically looking for help with chains and concessions:
Chains: Volunteers are needed to manage the chains on the field—this is a vital role that keeps the game moving.
Concessions: We also need volunteers to staff the concession stand. We’re especially looking for someone with a food handler’s card who is willing to BBQ hotdogs and hamburgers. The BBQ will be fully set up and ready to go; we just need someone committed to grilling!
This is a fantastic opportunity to help raise funds for our program. The money we raise supports coaching stipends, team equipment, team dinners, and our camp stipends/beach retreat.
If you can assist, please sign up as soon as possible here. Your contribution is vital to making this event a success for our players and fans.
Thank you for your continued support!
This years Snap! Raise fundraiser has officially started! This is our biggest fundraiser of the season, and we need everyone’s help to make it a success.
Company Matching: Don’t Forget to Check!
Many employers offer matching gift programs, which can double the impact of your donation. Please take a moment to check with your employer about their matching gift policy. Friends of Grant Football is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so we qualify for most company matches. We should already be listed on popular match platforms like Benevity, making the process even easier.
By securing a company match, you’re not only supporting our football program but also maximizing the resources available to our players. Every dollar raised helps cover coaching stipends, team equipment, team dinners, and other essential needs throughout the season.
Thank you for your ongoing support and participation—let’s make this our most successful fundraiser yet!
Dear Football Families,
I hope this message finds you well and excited for the start of our first official week of football season! Players have been working hard in practice, and now it’s time for the games to begin.
Here are the details for this week’s matchups:
Varsity: Our Varsity team will be playing under the lights this Friday at 7:00 PM in Oregon City (Pioneer Memorial Stadium). We’ll have a full team meal ahead of the game to make sure the players are fueled up and ready to go. It’s going to be an exciting night, so let’s get out there and show our support!
JV: Our JV team will be taking the field on Thursday at 4:30 PM in Oregon City (Pioneer Memorial Stadium). We’ll have snacks and water available before the game to keep the players energized and focused. It’s the first chance for many of our players to shine, and we’re looking forward to a great game. We know it is going to be hot and have a plan for ensuring players have access to water.
If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to reach out.
Let’s make this a great week to kick off the season!
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to volunteer on game day! Your support makes a big difference. We still have a few spots open, particularly for chains and concessions, so if you haven’t yet, please consider signing up here.
For those who have reached out about helping with team dinners, I’m in the process of creating the schedule this week based on everyone’s responses. I appreciate your patience, and I’ll be in touch soon with more details.
Thank you for your continued support!
Good evening everyone,
I wanted to share some details for this Friday’s Jamboree at Tualatin High School. The JV game will kick off at 2 PM, followed by the Varsity game at 6 PM.
In my previous email, I mentioned that food would be provided for both teams on game days. However, due to the timing of this event, the JV team will not be receiving meals this time. The Varsity team will have light snacks available, but not a full meal. There will be a concession stand on-site.
Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you all on Friday!
Dear Families,
We are thrilled to welcome you to the 2024/2025 football season! We’re excited to have you as part of our team and look forward to a fantastic season ahead.
As we kick things off, we wanted to share a few important updates:
We have a number of volunteer opportunities available, including roles for varsity and JV chains, announcing, scorekeeping, and working the concession stand at our two home bowl games, which will be hosted in the Grant High School Bowl. Your help is essential to making this season a success, and we greatly appreciate any time you can contribute.
You can find and sign up for all available volunteer positions by visiting our signup sheet here. If you have any questions please e-mail Stephanie at admin@friendsofgrantfootball.com
The varsity and JV game schedules are now available. We’re looking forward to some great matchups this season, and we hope to see everyone out there supporting our players.
We are launching our Snap! Raise fundraising campaign soon. This will be a key part of supporting our program.
The funds raised through Snap! Raise are vital to our program, helping us bring on additional coaches, purchase critical equipment, and provide meals for all athletes ahead of each game. Your participation in this campaign will directly impact the quality of our season and the experience we can offer our players.
Greetings Grant Football Friends and Families!
On May 2nd, 6-8 pm Grant Football will be hosting a Family Information Night for families whose children are interested in tackle football with a few goals in mind:
Provide safety education, enrollment, training details and expectations for fall tackle football for new and returning families
A Question and Answer with Coach Melson
Build community among all families before our busy season begins
Come mingle and, most importantly, bring a new or interested family with you to meet fellow parents and players and see what we are all about!
We hope to see you there. Please RSVP here: Grant Youth Family Info Night
For all of you who signed up for the April Skills Clinics, thank you! We appreciate you! We have three more sessions happening in May, starting May 11th. Please join us!
Grant Football Families
I hope this email finds you well. It's that time of the year again to start preparing for our 2024 season. Over the last couple of weeks the coaching staff has been working and planning to engage our student athletes for a positive football experience. It is important that every member of the Football family is on the same page and taking steps to contribute to another successful season. The calendar for the 24 season has been set and can be found at Friendsofgrantfootball.com/calendar Please be sure to view the calendar and make notes of important events. These opportunities will be the foundational building blocks for a team and the approaching season.
One opportunity that has already started is “0 Period Training”. Starting last week we began our yearly 0 period training sessions. These sessions are before school and give our students athletes opportunities to train and prepare their body for the upcoming season. We have already completed four of the forty one sessions we will host before Spring Ball kicks off. Please encourage your student athlete to join these sessions at 6:45am Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the Grant weight room.
The Grant Bowl was recently reopened to welcome back Grant Athletes. We thank you for all the individuals that took the time to fight and advocate for this important resource to our community and school. The fight is not over yet. A few very important events are happening in the next two weeks:
1) PPS Facilities and Operations meeting this Wednesday 2/28 at 6pm. During this session they will be talking about the cost of the lights and will determine if it should go for board approval
2) PPS School Board meeting on 3/5. If the Facilities and Operations committee agrees to have the lights go for board approval, that approval will likely happen during the March board meeting.
Coach Melson
Grant Football would like to introduce its new president Bryan Butcher. Bryan is a 2008 Grant graduate who competed in Football and Baseball. Today Bryan is a Math teacher at Beaumont Middle school. Bryan is happy to return to the program and assist in supporting Grant Youth Football and its families. Be on the lookout for communications from him pertaining to youth events and upcoming seasons.
Grant football information night will be May 2nd. Please join us to hear about the opportunities Grant Football provides for the student athletes in our community. There will be a meet and greet and a Q/A session for potential new and returning families.
Where: Nohos
When: May 2
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Youth Clinics are back! We are excited to announce that Grant Football will be hosting youth clinics in April and May. We will host two different sessions that each will include three sessions. These sessions give our youth the opportunity to build skills and confidence before the pads go on in August. They will get the opportunity to work with the High School staff and players while continuing to build relationships with teammates and coaches. It is also a good opportunity for current 8th graders to come and jumpstart their transition to highschool football. Registration will open on March 1st
Clinics dates are:
April 13 20 27
May 11 18 25
We are excited to get the ball rolling for the 24 season. It will be another opportunity for our student athletes to grow and forge relationships that can last a lifetime. As always please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have about the upcoming events and season. Continue to encourage your athletes and push them to follow our three core rules and values.
Be Accountable
Do Everything To the Best of Your Ability
L.E.A.D
Grant Football Families,
We are excited to be back at school and getting the kids back into the building! We know getting kids back into their daily routines and engagement is critical. Returning to school may be hard for some after the unexpected break, but It is very important that players are checking in with teachers and refocusing to finish the term strong.
Due to the timing of the strike we have had to postpone the regular end of the year process. Now that we are back it is crucial that we "put the season to bed" as soon as possible. This means we need to start the process of gear check in and locker room clean up. This also includes holding an end of the season meeting. During the meeting players will get more information about gear and locker room check in. We will also have the end of the season voting for team recognitions and awards (food provided). This meeting will take place on Wednesday 11/29 during lunch in the south forum. The end of the season banquet will also take place on December 9th in the upper commons (more information below).
I have also sent out this information to all of the student athletes through our team communication platform.
Go Generals!
Coach Melson
As the football season comes to a close, it's time to express our gratitude to the amazing coaches who have dedicated their time and effort to our players' growth. We're organizing a collective effort to give them a token of appreciation. Please consider donating towards the coaches' end-of-season gifts. Your generosity will help us show our heartfelt thanks for their hard work and dedication throughout the season.
As many of you know Coach Melson and his wife will be having their first child in January. A few people have asked about his registry. His registry can be found here. Friends of Grant Football is also sending a gift from the team that we are accepting contributions for.
To contribute to the coaches gifts or coach melons team baby shower gift, send a Venmo to Stephanie-antipov-kennedy or text Stephanie at 503-871-7501 to cooridnate dropping off your donation. Every little bit counts, and together we can make this a memorable gesture for our coaches.
Team Meeting - Wednesday 11/29 (Food provided)
Gear Check in - Friday 12/1
Team Banquet - Saturday 12/9
Please support your student athlete in making sure they are prepared to turn in all their gear. Gear that is not turned in will be charged to your student account. Students with outstanding balances may be restricted to attend school events including graduation.
Can you believe we are already at week 4! Lots of growth happening and we are excited to see such big improvements each week.
This weeks games
JV Monday 9/18 4pm @ Marshall vs Ida B Wells
Vasity Thursday 9/21 7pm @ Marshall vs McDaniel
JV parents this is a call to action we need your help! Below are the volunteer spots we need for the games on 9/18. Without volunteers the games cannot happen, so we need parents to signup. Since the games are no longer at Grant it is much harder to have students help out like last year.
9/18
4 volunteers needed for chains
1 score board volunteer
Varsity Games Thank you to everyone who has signed up to volunteer. Most varsity volunteer spots have been filled except below.
9/29
1 volunteer needed for chains
1 volunteer needed for announcing
10/6
1 volunteer needed for chains
1 volunteer needed for announcing
All football families are welcome to stop by 4032 NE 32nd Ave and grab a yard sign to show support for fixing the grant bowl! The signs are on the front porch.
For senior night we will need you to start getting a few things sent in. We would like parents or guardians to send us a letter that can be read by the announcer when your player is on the field. This is needed the week before senior night 10/20.
Things we need from Parents
Please prepare a 20-30 second letter by 10/20
Tell us who your player is,
How long he has been playing football.
His position, what he loves about the game etc.
Name of Parents/Guardians and family members who may be on field with player for Senior night.
A picture of your player that will be hung up during the senior night game. Families will be able to take these with you after the game.
Your player’s favorite restaurant (we will be adding gift cards into their gift baskets)
Parents and family will go on field to be presented and honored before the game. This is a really fun night to celebrate our Seniors and the families that support them.
We hope everyone is off to a great season! We are writing to apologize for a scheduling error that occurred last night with the JV game against Southridge. Due to a last minute change in the schedule, there was a miscommunication, and we incorrectly informed you that the game would be held next week. The JV Southridge game took place last night, and we understand the inconvenience and disappointment this may have caused.
We deeply regret any confusion or inconvenience this error may have caused you and your athlete. We understand the importance of a clear communication and reliability in our information, and we take full responsibility for this oversight. While there are no excuses this season has been exceptionally hard with scheduling due to the bowl closing. We are building the plane while flying it at times and that can be extremely challenging.
To address the issue, we are taking steps to ensure better communication between all parties involved with scheduling and communications. We will make every effort to ensure parents have as much notice as possible when schedules change. Given the fluidity of our situation with the field and scheduling, we also encourage you to check the OSAA website weekly as updates may be posted there before we are able to get communications out. You can find the Grant schedules here: https://www.osaa.org/teams/52809#tabs-V.
We value your trust and support in the program. Please let us know if you have any questions.
We are excited for our first home game this week! Varsity plays 9/8 against SouthRidge 7pm @ Marshall. A meal will be provided before the team leaves Grant. The next JV game is next Monday 9/11.
The Portland Public School Board will vote on new Board Resolution 6755 — to Fix the Field, Build the Bowl — at the school board meeting this Tues., Sept. 5th. Sponsored by Directors Julia Brim-Edwards and Andrew Scott, the resolution supports the immediate and long-term goals of the Grant Bowl Community Coalition.
What’s in the resolution?
The resolution directs the superintendent to identify financial and other resources to replace the Grant Bowl turf and Buckman track (also closed by Parks and unusable for Benson students with no plans to fix it).
The resolution directs the superintendent to work with Parks to secure a contractor to repair and/or replace the Grant Bowl turf immediately this Fall (not Fall 2024 as previous communicated by Parks in a press release).
The resolution calls on the city to expedite the permitting process for said repairs/replacement.
The resolution calls on the city to provide a long-term lease for both the Grant Bowl and Benson Track to PPS so the district can implement further improvements (we have requested that the lights and seating outlined in the Grant Bowl Master Plan be planned for and implemented).
We need your immediate support in two (2) ways:
We need four (4) board member votes at the meeting in order for the resolution to pass. That means we must show visible support for the resolution by packing the the Board Meeting at 6PM sharp (Dr. Matthew Prophet Education Center at 501 N. Dixon St.) Parents, students and community members — show up in your Grant gear, bring signs and/or wear blue. Whatever you can do to show your school and/or community spirit works!
Email your support to PPS at publiccomment@pps.net (no later than Noon on Tues., Sept. 5 if possible). Be sure to reference the Grant Bowl and Board Resolution 6755 (also attached) in your subject line. Let’s flood those inboxes!
Thanks for your support — your response to our initial survey was submitted to PPS and the City of Portland — this board resolution is a direct result of your actions. So, let’s Go Generals and get out the vote!
Chains
Geno Zaharie
Julia Causey
Gregg Hale
Jim Deibele
Announcing
Adam Kennedy
Score board
Kevin Rueda
For senior night we will need you to start getting a few things sent in. We would like parents or Guardians to send us a letter that can be read by the announcer when your player is on the field. This is needed the week before senior night (senior night is usually our last Home Game which would be 10/27). I will be confirming the date in next weeks update.
Things we need from Parents
Please prepare a 20-30 second letter by 10/22
Tell us who your player is,
How long he has been playing football.
His position, what he lives about the game etc.
Name of Parents/Guardians and family names who may be on field with player for Senior night.
A picture of your player that will be hung up during the senior night game. Families will be able to take these with you after the game.
Your players favorite restaurant (we will be adding gift cards into their gift baskets)
Parents and family will go on field to be presented and honored before the game. This is a really fun night to celebrate our Seniors and the families that support them.
Always air dry, never put uniforms in dryer or stains will set.
Do a cold water soak if there are stains for 30 min. Hot water will also set the stains.
Scrub with a tooth brush (or soft bristle brush) and use Blue Dawn dish soap (4xs cleaning power) might need multiple scrubbing.
Rinse by hand as well as possible and then run through regular washing machine cycle with powdered detergent (works better than liquids or pods) and powdered oxiclean.