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1956 Grape-Nuts Commercial Stars Swim Coach Charles McCaffree #TBT

MSU Swim Coach Charles McCaffree (courtesy of MSU Athletics)

MSU Swim Coach Charles McCaffree (courtesy of MSU Athletics)

In perhaps the greatest swimming Throwback Thursday of all-time, legendary swim coach Charles McCaffree stars in a 1956 cereal commercial.

Love it! Grape-Nuts were awesome…when I was eight years old.

Coach Charles McCaffree was a pioneer in his era. During his Michigan State coaching career, his swimmers earned 322 All-America honors, claimed 34 Big Ten titles, and won 22 NCAA titles.

Many thanks to our good friend Gail Dummer for bringing this video to our attention. Gail’s been a competitive masters swimmeer, coach, official, and an administrator for nearly 40 years…and she finds gems like the Coach McCaffree video. Keep them coming, Gail!

Editor Note: Gail informs us that MSU coach Matt Gianiodis has been unearthing many, many TBT photos, etc. from the archives left behind by Coach McCaffree and Coach Fetters. HOWEVER, it was Matt Fetters who found the Grape Nuts video.

Also, from Coach Fetters: “Post was founded in Battle Creek, MI. Coach Mac coached Battle Creek Central HS to 5 Class A State Championships before coming to MSU. Post makes Grape-Nuts cereal. Coach Mac does the commercial for Grape-Nuts.” Now it all makes sense! Lastly, Coach Fetters comments that he liked that Coach McCaffree’s shirt says “Michigan State Swimming Teacher”

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DC Guy
10 years ago

Mix them in with some quality yogurt and they add a nice crunch and some nominal nutritional value!

liquidassets
10 years ago

Or if you get the regular Grape Nuts, soak them in milk then microwave them for a minute or two to soften them!!

liquidassets
10 years ago

I broke two teeth on Grape Nuts costing me several thousand dollars in dental work. Go with the Grape Nuts Flakes instead– I have them with chocolate milk for a great post workout recovery snack.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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