Grinnell College Athletics

Gaston Santi '34 joins the Hall of Fame not only for his achievements while at Grinnell, but for the contributions and time he has given to athletics throughout his life. Santi began his athletic career at Grinnell by participating in both football and basketball as a freshman. In his collegiate career he earned three varsity letters in basketball, while becoming a team leader. During his senior year he was elected team captain and was named a first-team guard by the Des Moines Register and the Missouri conference coaches. He was labeled a defensive stopper, often drawing the assignment of holding down some of the opposition "hot shot" scorers. Even with this, Santi still managed to become a top ten conference scorer. The knowledge that helped Santi excel on the court also helped him excel in his profession, coaching. To begin this long, illustrious career, he coached football and basketball at his alma mater, Walsenburg, Colorado for seven years. He went on to coach basketball within the Denver public school area for the next 25 years. Among his feats were a state championship and state runner-up teams. He ended his career with 350 wins. Santi was inducted into the Denver Public Schools Hall of Fame and the Colorado High School Coaches Hall of Fame, and is an honorary member of the National Basketball Officials Association. Coach Santi is now retired.