MSU Denver Athletics

Dr. Anthony Grant begins his fifth year as Director of Athletics at Metropolitan State University of Denver after being named to the position in July, 2015.

Grant oversees 16 NCAA Division II teams, over 200 student-athletes and 50 coaches and staff members. Upon his arrival, Grant emphasized a focus centered on student-athletes and a commitment to aligning the mission of the athletics department with the overall mission of the institution. During his tenure, Grant has established key relationships with members of the MSU Denver community, and with civic leaders throughout the city of Denver.

Grant was instrumental in enhancing the exposure of Roadrunners Athletics on a national scale by hosting a successful 2016 NCAA Division II Spring Sport Festival, and for helping orchestrate MSU Denver as the host site of the NCAA Division II Softball World Series for 2019, 2021 and 2022, the NCAA Division II Volleyball National Championship in 2019, and the NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Cross Country Regional in 2018. He has shaped the future of MSU Denver athletics with the hiring of nine new head coaches, and by introducing the department’s 2017-20 strategic plan, “Building Our Legacy: Continuous Pursuit of Excellence.”

Grant was instrumental in negotiating a new partnership with Nike and Eastbay to bring jerseys and apparel to MSU Denver Athletics while including promotions to enhance fan experience. The partnership was agreed upon through 2020 with the option to extend through 2022. And, under Grant’s leadership, the athletics department also received a transformational gift for student-athlete scholarships, which led to the naming of the Cohen Center for Athletics at the Regency Athletic Complex. He also guided the program as it received an overture from the Western Athletic Conference about a potential transition to NCAA Division I. After a feasibility study and consideration from the MSU Denver Board of Trustees, MSU Denver elected to stay in Division II.

MSU Denver continued its successful trend in 2018-19, as the volleyball program extended its streak of national tournament appearances to 19, the women’s cross country team returned to the national championships for the first time in five years, the baseball team posted a school-record 14-game winning streak and the women’s tennis team won a third straight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference regular-season championship. MSU Denver had three student-athletes win RMAC player of the year honors, and four others earned RMAC freshman of the year distinctions. In the classroom, 73 student-athletes achieved grade-point averages of 3.5 or better in the fall semester, and 72 reached that mark in the spring. The list includes the RMAC Academic Player of the Year in women’s basketball for the third time in four seasons.

In the 2017-18 academic year, all team sports advanced to their respective conference postseason tournaments, with the men’s and women’s tennis winning both the regular season and conference tournament championships while also finishing in the top five in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference All-Sports Cup for the 15th consecutive year. Additionally, the volleyball, women’s basketball and men’s tennis teams advanced to their respective NCAA Regional Tournaments. Academically, the department had a record number of student-athletes make the Athletics Director Honor Roll with 89 achieving a semester grade-point average of 3.5 or higher after the fall 2018 semester. The teams also increased their engagement within the surrounding Denver community under Grant’s leadership.

Grant previously served as the interim director of athletics at Millersville University (Pa.), bringing more than 10 years of experience in collegiate athletics to MSU Denver. While at Millersville, Grant also served as associate director of athletics for seven years. In addition, he helped raise $250,000, directed a multimillion-dollar budget, and implemented an academic support program that resulted in the recognition of more than 100 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference scholar-athletes each year over a six-year period.

He then served as the athletic academic coordinator at the University of Iowa for two years. In making the announcement of Grant’s hiring, former MSU Denver President Dr. Stephen Jordan said, "Grant brings the right mix of devotion to the student-athlete, a fundraising background, and great energy and enthusiasm. He is someone we believe will help elevate the front porch of the university – our athletics program – to an even greater level."

Grant serves as chair of both the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee and the RMAC Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Upon his arrival, Grant has become involved in organizations within the surrounding Denver community, which include the Denver Metro Leadership Foundation, Teach for America Colorado (Board Member) and the Denver Sports Commission (Board Member). Grant holds a master’s degree from Temple University (sport and recreation) and a Ph.D. in health and sport studies with a specialization in athletic administration from the University of Iowa. He lives in Denver with his wife, Lisa, and their children Gianna, Jadyn and Preston.