When the term “Flying Pentagon” is mentioned, it immediately connotes a sense of excellence in basketball at Washington College during the 1920s. These teams cannot be considered without mentioning the name of Clayt McGran. He, along with John Bankert, Jack Carroll, Mike Fiore and Fred Dumschott, accrued a record that will stand forever as one of the top performances of any athletic team representing Washington College.
Clayton McGran matriculated to Washington College from St. Augustine High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut. During the two years that Clayt played basketball for the College, the team scored 44 victories in 49 attempts, going undefeated in 1924-25 with 25 straight wins. Clayt McGran was noted for his clever ball handling and expert shot making, both contributing significantly to the team’s success.
He also won varsity letters in football and baseball under J. Thomas Kibler. In football, he held down the end position, both offensively and defensively, and in baseball he was an excellent shortstop.
Clayt was an outstanding student as well, being awarded the Dr. Simpers Medal for highest average in studies while a freshman. He was also the recipient of the Silver Pentagon.
He continued his interest in athletics after leaving the College, becoming the physical education director of the Bridgeport Boys Club. He later became director of the same organization. In 1951, he was appointed executive director of the Danbury Memorial Recreation Program.
His experience in basketball officiating carried him far. On February 13, 1974, he was elected by the Connecticut State Board of Approved Basketball Officials to an honorary lifetime membership in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was also chosen by the State Board Committee to receive the James E. Coogan Award, presented for outstanding contribution to the game of basketball in the State of Connecticut.
The Washington College Hall of Fame Selection Committee takes great pleasure in the induction of Clayt McGran into the Washington College Athletic Hall of Fame on this sixth day of October, 1989.
