Youth shoot baskets in the newly renovated Granville gym, where Mike Seright, second from right, volunteer coaches the high school boys basketball team.

GRANVILLE – Mike Seright is a well known and loved community member in Granville. Seright taught at Granville and coached the boys basketball team for a number of years and is now volunteer coaching for his son, who is the current head coach.

In 2020, the Granville school renovated the main structure of its gym, but two years later, Seright thought there was more to be done. In only four months, Seright, with the help of his community, raised more than $100,00 for a new floor, weight room and scoreboard.

“I wasn’t responsible really,” Seright said. “The school board was. I just asked them about fundraising.”

What is amazing is every person that Seright reached out to said yes to helping raise money.

“I called alumni and community members, some of which had moved out of state but still wanted to help. I called and spoke to old players and students of mine, and every single person donated,” he said.

There was a rumor the gym would be named after Seright, but he was adamant the credit shouldn’t go just to him because it was a community effort.

“It wasn’t just me. It was everybody,” he said.

Thanks to the dedication of Seright and the Granville community, the high school boys basketball team hosted its first varsity game in the Granville gym in more than 20 years this season.

“It was packed, “Seright said. “It made me so proud of everyone involved.”