Fitness expert Randy Griffith (MEd ‘84) named UMAA advocate of the year
MEd grad and fitness enthusiast named UMAA Advocate of the Year
From an early age, Randy Griffith (MEd ’84) had been a huge fitness and sports advocate and was encouraged to pass on this interest to others by teaching them the way he was originally taught. “I first got into it through coaching different youth sport teams and really enjoyed it,” he says. “Continuing on, I started taking education classes at the U and began to find my true passion—teaching others about how important activity and exercise can be in one’s life. I never looked back, and it became my future.”
Griffith’s career has taken a wide and varied path around the globe, but it has followed his mission of educating youth about the different aspects of sport and fitness. Shortly after getting his master’s degree, he took a position managing a new health club inside the Sheraton Hotel in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. After six years, he accepted another managing position at a fitness center at the Hilton Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. He worked there for three years before coming back to Minnesota.
“I ended up becoming more worldly than I could have ever imagined in my life,” he says. “Growing up in New Hope, Minnesota, 40 miles was considered a good road trip, and I ended up traveling around the world eight times. A truly amazing feat for me, and it all came down to the MEd from the U helping me to get these managing positions.”
Griffith receives his UMAA honor at Huntington Bank Stadium.
(Photo courtesy of Randy Griffith)
Griffith receives his UMAA honor at Huntington Bank Stadium.
(Photo by Rebecca Slater, courtesy of University of Minnesota Alumni Association)
Once back in the states, Griffith landed a physical education teaching position in the Rockford, Minnesota school district, retiring in 2022 after 24 years. While in Minnesota, Griffith kept strong ties with his alma mater by promoting the U through many trips to the state capital and extensive participation with the UMN Alumni Association’s (UMAA) 201 advocacy network, a group of individuals who maintain relationships with the 201 legislators representing districts across the state.
For his tireless efforts on behalf of the U, Griffith was named the UMAA Advocate of the Year for 2024. This prestigious award is given to those who speak out about the need for strong state support of the U and higher education policies. “It actually was a bit of a surprise, to be honest,” he says about the award. “I really didn’t expect it.”
Besides getting to ride in last year’s homecoming parade and attending the game—both cool experiences, he says—Griffith was honored at a special celebration with other U award winners at Huntington Bank Stadium, where he met President Rebecca Cunningham and several regents. “Talk about an honor, that really was one for me,” he says. “So many people have done so much for the U of M, and I loved hearing their stories of what they accomplished, and how they’ve impacted the University in such a positive way.”
Griffith says he is grateful for how the University has impacted him, especially on how to effectively communicate ideas and values. “CEHD helped me better focus on not only how to educate the students you encounter, but also on why you’re doing it in the first place,” he says. “You need to believe that your knowledge acquired can indeed help those who are striving to get to where you’ve gotten. I’ve never forgotten that.”
For those seeking a similar career trajectory to Griffith’s, he has some advice. “If you truly want to make a difference in people’s lives—a great way to do so would be to get into education,” he says. “You never honestly realize what a wonderful influence you can be until you see the results come in when your students succeed. It’s a feeling that almost defies description. You just become very thankful.”
Griffith is also thankful for his involvement with the UMAA. “The U has always been very dear to me and my family—as both my mom and daughter have also gotten degrees here,” he says. “I love going to various Gopher sport games as well, and as P.J. Fleck says so proudly—and quickly—‘Go Gophers!’”