Nate Griffin, the esteemed mayor of Wellston, Missouri, embarked on a journey up the Thruway on a pleasant Saturday afternoon, heading towards the magnificent city of Albany. However, this was not a political endeavor, but rather a basketball pilgrimage. You see, Mayor Griffin is not only a great leader, but also the co-owner and head coach of the St. Louis Griffins. He had arrived in Albany for an exhilarating basketball game, or perhaps even two.
Albany vs. St. Louis
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Washington Avenue Armory, Albany
The St. Louis Griffins, leading the series 1-0, were set to face off against the Albany Patroons at 3 p.m. on Sunday in Game 2 of The Basketball League’s East Regional finals. If Albany managed to tie the series, an exhilarating winner-take-all Game 3 would unfold at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Armory.
After triumphing with a resounding 108-86 victory in Thursday’s Game 1 in Missouri, the Griffins embarked on a lengthy bus journey spanning over 1,000 miles to reach Albany, while the Patroons opted for a swift flight back to New York.
At the age of 44, Mayor Griffin has been dutifully serving as the mayor of Wellston since 2014. Wellston, a city situated on the border of St. Louis, boasts a population of 1,537 as per the U.S. Census. Unfortunately, it is a community plagued by poverty, ranking amongst the poorest across the nation. Nonetheless, Mayor Griffin and his wife, Lawonda, embarked on the noble mission of bringing a TBL team to their beloved Wellston, aiming to provide a positive experience for the community. Thus, they meticulously assembled a roster primarily comprised of talented former college players hailing from the St. Louis area.
“These young men possess master’s and bachelor’s degrees,” Mayor Griffin proudly proclaimed. “They have experienced communities similar to the ones I encountered during my youth. They serve as mentors and role models to these young men. It is a perfect opportunity for me to not only establish a team but also introduce positive African-American leaders to our community who genuinely care and share our roots.”
Mind you, Mayor Griffin did not intentionally name the team after himself. In fact, while brainstorming potential names with his wife, the concept of the griffin, a mythical creature blending traits of an eagle and a lion, piqued his interest. “The griffin epitomizes ultimate protection,” Mayor Griffin explained. “And (Lawonda) suggested, ‘You know what? That could be something great.’ So, when we unveiled the team name as the Griffins to the city, some individuals jokingly accused me of egoism. But then a realization struck: I never intended for it to be named after me, yet this could be a wonderful representation. “
On top of his mayoral duties, Mayor Griffin also fulfills the role of executive director at TruVision Basketball, an organization that oversees more than 20 youth basketball teams, which he personally coaches and manages.
Mayor Griffin skillfully balances these numerous responsibilities with utmost responsibility. He even traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Benjamin Carson, addressing the critical issue of Wellston’s public housing authority, which was under HUD’s control since 1996 due to mismanagement and hazardous conditions. This year, Mayor Griffin successfully secured a remarkable $44 million in financing to rehabilitate nearly 200 housing units that HUD had initially planned to demolish.
“The remarkable aspect about me is my ability to prioritize each role I assume,” Mayor Griffin stated emphatically. “When I am Coach Nate of the St. Louis Griffins, I focus solely on coaching; I do not let my mayoral or TruVision responsibilities interfere. I strive to stay true to each profession, ensuring that I give my best without compromising the others.”
His immediate objective is to clinch a victory at the Armory, a formidable task as the Patroons possess an impressive 14-3 record on their home turf this season.
“Undoubtedly, it will be an arduous challenge,” Mayor Griffin acknowledged. “Albany is battle-tested, boasting champions on their team. The electric atmosphere in their building fuels their drive. Therefore, we are well aware that we have a daunting endeavor ahead of us.”
