Doctor of
Education (EdD); MA; BA (Hons); Dip Phys Ed; Dip T.
Western Michigan
University, Adelaide University, Adelaide Teachers College
It is with sadness we write to
advise of the recent sudden passing of our fellow “Black” Dr Kevin Raymond
Griffiths. We have lost a truly outstanding man who made a significant
contribution to the Adelaide University Cricket Club as a player, coach and was
an ongoing supporter of the Club, regularly attending past player and other
functions. He was an all-round sportsman, excelling at high levels in both
cricket and football and after establishing a successful business gave back to
cricket in administrative roles. The following is a brief summary of his
sporting life covering his A-Grade cricket, football, professional careers and involvement
with the SACA.
Rob
O’Shannassy
Cricket
Griff’s cricket career started with West Torrens in
1964/64 towards the end of the season as a 17 year old just out of Secondary
School. After the 1965/66 season he then played with Teachers College from
1966/67 until 1972/3. In those days it was compulsory to play for the college
team while enrolled as a student
Our cricket careers overlapped for the best part of 14
seasons and for all but one season he was a great opponent. Griff was an
extremely competitive medium/fast bowler and lower order batsman who prized his
wicket. Fit, tall and strongly built and bowling off a relatively short run up
for an opening bowler and he could go most of the day if needed. He bowled an
impeccable line and length and with perhaps a slight round arm slinging action
moved the ball predominantly away from the right hander but had a very useful
off cutter and slower ball.
After transitioning from a teaching career he commenced
further studies at Adelaide University. With Michael David as captain and Allen
Greer was coach, he joined the AUCC and played 87 A Grade matches for the
Blacks over the next 7 seasons from 1973/74 until 1979/80. He took over the
captaincy in 1976/77 and then became captain coach from 1977/78 – 1979/80. For
University he took 266 wickets (2nd on all time list) at an average of 19.46
and was the 1976/77 season Bradman Medallist. He retired from cricket following
the 1979/80 season.
I had the pleasure of playing alongside him for a single
season; that being when I returned to Uni in 1979/80, forming a very
competitive opening bowling combination. I had also played in a SA Colts
game with him in 1967-68 Season against a WA side that included Lillie, Marsh,
Yardley and Massie. SA Won, with former AUCC player Ian Edgley as skipper.
South Australian Colts Team 1968/69
Back: Jeff Hammond, Rick Niehuus, Jeff Kowalik.
Chester Bennett (Coach), Robert O’Shannassy, Mal McLachlan, Dick Angove
Front: Kevin Griffiths, Jeff Langley, Ian Edgely,
Steve Howe, Peter Curtin, Peter Herbert.
Football - Courtesy of Egils Olekalns & Janne Filmer (AUFC)
Griff
was a well established league* and amateur league footballer, enjoying
outstanding success at Teachers College before coming to play and coach the
Adelaide University Football Club.
1967 - from Teachers
College, representing SA in a carnival year
1968 - from Teachers College, representing SA
against Victoria
1969 - from Teachers
College, representing SA against Victoria
1970 - from Teachers
College, representing SA in a carnival year – all Australian, best player in
Carnival
1973 - from Teachers
College, representing SA in a carnival year
1974 - from Adelaide
University, representing SA against Victoria – all Australian
1976 - from Adelaide
University, representing SA in a carnival year and captain
Details from “History of the Amateur League”
- Fred Bloch
After
his final season with Teachers College, Griff became the A1 captain and coach
of the Blacks and was our playing captain coach 1974, 75, 76 – winning A1
premierships in 74 and 75 and a losing grand final in 1976. He always lived at
Myrtle Bank and I recall celebrating a grand final win at his place in 1974.
Griff retired from football at the end of the1976 season.
He
was awarded a Blue for football in 1974
He
had accomplishments in football and cricket – he was on the SACA board for
quite a few years.
Interestingly
he never touched alcohol – this came in handy for us in later years when he was
a regular on a golf trip that we had each year to the south east (Coonawarra)
and driving was needed. He was a more than capable golfer.
*From
1971 until late in the 1973 season in between his time with Teachers College
and AUFC he played league football with South Adelaide (30 games)
Professional Career
In addition to his teaching
qualifications (Dip Phys Ed; Dip T), in the early 1970s he completed further
studies at Adelaide University (BA (Hons); MA). In the early 1980s the family
travelled to the USA where he completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Education at
Western Michigan University. His career then followed in the logical path
of leadership management skills and team
building in the Corporate world and in 1988 established the successful firm KRG
Consulting. He was much sought after as consultant, presenter at conference and
created important practical management tools.
Cricket
Administration
In the early 2000s, Kevin for a
time put his own business activities to the side and was for several years was the
Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA). Then
returning to run his own business, he later returned to the SACA as a Board
Member and later was on the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee of the Stadium
Management Authority. He was also appointed to the Board of Cricket Australia
as a member of the Audit Committee
Family
Kevin
had just turned 72 years of age, was married to Allyson and they had 2 children
– Belinda and David.
Funeral
Arrangements
For those of you who knew ‘Griff’ well, his funeral will be
held in the Heysen Chapel, Centennial Park on Friday (8/11) at 12.45 p.m.