McLean is the inaugural inductee into the Norwich University Hall of Fame class under the Memorial Membership category. He was a four-year member of the football team and served as the co-captain during the 1969 season and was named the team offensive Most Valuable Player. Despite having all requirements met, McLean passed away in a car accident prior to graduation.
McLean’s performance against Middlebury during his senior season, where he carried the ball 30 times for 176 yards in a 16-14 win over the Panthers is still one of the greatest single-game rushing performances in Norwich history. That helped earn him a berth on the ECAC Division III All-East team.
“It means a lot to our family that the University has remembered Grant in so many different ways since he passed away,” said his brother, Wally McLean ‘66. “They have dedicated a classroom, he’s on the Harmon Wall and he was a part of the new Sabine Field rededication. The fact he hasn’t been forgotten means a great deal.”
“Clearly he was a student-athlete with outstanding grades, co-captain and MVP of team. His classmates looked up to him and I think Coach Sabol said it best, that Grant practiced as hard as he played the game.”
Grant was one of four brothers, with Douglas, Wally and Stewart. Wally was inducted into the NU Hall of Fame in 2006.
