For Grant Wolfram, BBA ‘22, success on the pitcher’s mound is rooted in a work ethic that was developed long before he ever picked up a baseball. Growing up in Hamilton, Michigan, Wolfram spent his early years balancing a mix of sports with heavy lifting work—showing Angus cattle and sheep in 4-H and helping at his parents’ landscaping company.

“Just seeing my dad every day get up early, seeing how hard he worked every day, whatever it took to maintain the farm and the cattle, and then he had his normal job in sales,” Wolfram recalled. “Seeing that mindset and that work ethic at an early age made me realize, especially in sports, if I want to make it to the professional level, I’ve got to have that same type of mindset.”

That mindset propelled Wolfram to Davenport University and, ultimately, into the ranks of professional baseball.

Wolfram initially began his collegiate athletic career at Central Michigan University in 2016. However, after his freshman year, he realized he needed a change. He sought a program that offered both a competitive environment and the opportunity to be closer to his family in West Michigan. Davenport University proved to be the perfect fit.

“Davenport just kind of made sense. They had a good track record, and they won a lot of games. I wanted to win, and [Head Coach Kevin] Tidey let it be known that I was going to start—as long as I earned it,” Wolfram said. “The facilities were nice, and it seemed like the right fit. I could go home on the weekends, see family or watch my younger sister play basketball.”

At the time, transferring meant moving to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level (as DU was transitioning to NCAA Division II), but Wolfram didn’t hesitate. Davenport’s baseball program, led by Tidey and pitching coach Josh Rebandt, provided the ideal environment for his development. Rebandt, whom Wolfram credits as a major influence, helped him continually refine his mental approach and mechanics on the mound.

During his time as a Panther, Wolfram left an indelible mark on the DU record books. His defining moment as a pitcher came during a game against Ashland University. Knowing the school’s single-game strikeout record stood at 12, Wolfram had his sights set on breaking it.

“I had that one pinned. I was like, ‘I gotta beat that one time here,'” Wolfram said.

He did just that, turning in a masterful performance. In a seven-inning doubleheader matchup, Wolfram tossed a complete-game no-hitter, striking out 13 batters, setting the most strikeouts in a single game at DU. “I just felt really good. I was locked in. It was just kind of a flow-state game,” he remembered.

Beyond the diamond, Wolfram also appreciated the academic support and flexibility at Davenport. As a business student, he found a creative way to bridge his passion for sports with his degree requirements. For his senior capstone class, he created a comprehensive business plan for a travel baseball organization, modeling it as a scholarship-based enterprise.

“The professor thought it was really interesting. He let you be creative and really understand what it takes to make a business plan, rather than just talking about it,” Wolfram noted, appreciating the practical, hands-on approach of his DU coursework.

Following a stellar junior season in 2018, Wolfram achieved his lifelong dream when he was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 18th round. The transition to professional baseball tested him early on, starting with the intense 105-to 115-degree heat of the Arizona Rookie League (AZL).

Throughout his professional journey, Wolfram has continued to lean on the foundational lessons he learned in Hamilton and at Davenport. He credits a network of mentors, including Dave Cassetto, his dad’s former JV coach and a former Detroit Tigers minor leaguer who trained him from fourth grade through high school, as well as his Davenport coaches, Tidey and Rebandt.

Today, Grant Wolfram is a key relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, where he has excelled with a 3.33 earned run average and an elite walk-to-strikeout ratio. As he continues to navigate the ranks of professional baseball, he remains a proud Davenport alumnus. His journey serves as a testament to the power of hard work, the importance of finding the right fit and the lifelong impact of the Panther community.

“I loved every second at Davenport. I had a great group of guys; a lot of guys I still talk to today,” Wolfram reflected. “It was a great place to grow up, and I loved it.”