JOHN DAY — From now on, those attending games at the Grant Union High Junior/Senior High School gym will be entering Dean Nodine Memorial Court.

Grant School District renamed the court in honor of Nodine, who passed away in 2021, during a ceremony in the gym on Tuesday, Oct. 17. Surviving members of Nodine’s family — including his widow, Joyce, and his granddaughter Mariah Moulton, now Grant Union High School’s volleyball coach — were on hand for the occasion.

Dean Nodine was instrumental in building up the athletic program at Grant Union Junior/Senior High School. He started his career with Grant School District as the assistant principal at Grant Union, later transitioning to principal and then district superintendent.

Nodine would spend 28 years as superintendent, according his obituary.

Nodine’s time with Grant School District brought a litany of changes. A new gym was added to Humbolt Elementary, and Grant Union added a new gym, cafeteria and classrooms.

Nodine was also instrumental in the purchase of the land that eventually became the site of the Seventh Street Sports Complex.

Arguably, though, his most lasting legacy in the district was bringing girls sports to Grant Union Jr./Sr. High School.

Given Nodine’s contributions and commitment to girls sports at Grant Union, the ceremony, which took place prior to a varsity volleyball match coached by his granddaughter, brought everything full circle.

Coach Moulton hopes that the dedication of the gym leads to a groundswell of support from local residents.

“At last night’s game, the gym was packed with community members, and I hope that the dedication of the gym can bring our community together and enhance our school pride,” she said.

For Moulton, her appearance at the ceremony gave her a chance to support her grandfather in the way he’d supported her throughout her life.

“My grandpa never missed any of my competitions, from parks and rec to college — he was my biggest supporter,” she said.

Nodine’s widow, Joyce, said she learned of the plans to dedicate the gym from Jake Taylor, who was the voice of the dedication ceremony.

“I had a little bit of time knowing that it was happening,” she said.

Joyce Nodine pointed out that there was a bit of confusion regarding the details of the dedication but added that it all worked out in the end.

“Mariah being the granddaughter and (it) being her last game on the home court, I think it worked out great,” she said.

“If I was gong to be handed the microphone, I would’ve said I know he isn’t here in person but I’m sure he’s sitting on a bleacher with his popcorn and Coke, which was always a necessity when we went to every game, and saying ‘Hey, let’s get this team on the road,’” she said.

“I’m so sorry he wasn’t there in person, but I think it was wonderful and he probably knows.”

A laundry list of accomplishments and numerous admirers would lead some to have an inflated sense of their own importance, even if it might be valid. Not Nodine, who Joyce said wasn’t boastful and shied away from making himself the focus of conversation.

“The only thing I have to say from the family is that it (the ceremony) really was an honor,” Joyce said. “It’s something that will be there for a long time, and we really appreciate it — that the people in this community felt that way.”