A Full-Circle Moment on Grabinski Field

There are certain moments in high school athletics that remind us the game is about more than wins and losses—it’s about legacy, connection, and community. On Friday night, October 17, Spring Lake football fans witnessed one of those moments on a field that already holds a special place in Laker history.

Grabinski Field, named after beloved Spring Lake coach Tom Grabinski who passed of a heart attack at age 39 in 1986, has been home to countless memories over the years. But this one was particularly meaningful. As the Lakers hosted Hamilton High School, a familiar name appeared on the visiting roster: freshman Benny Grabinski, Coach Grabinski’s grandson.

For Benny, the night marked his first varsity appearance—a milestone in its own right. But the setting made it extraordinary. Called up for the game, he took the field for two snaps on the very turf that bears his grandfather’s name. In the stands, generations of Grabinski family members, along with friends from both communities, watched proudly as the legacy came full circle.

It was a touching reminder that the spirit of Coach Grabinski continues to live on in the players, coaches, and families who embody the same love of the game he shared with so many.

A heartfelt "thank you" goes out to the Hamilton coaching staff for recognizing the meaning behind this moment and ensuring Benny had the opportunity to experience it. Their gesture didn’t just honor one family—it honored the broader values of sportsmanship and connection that make high school athletics so powerful.

For those who know Laker lore, this one hit home. It was a moment that bridged past and present, reminding everyone in attendance that the stories we build through athletics can last far longer than a season—they can become part of who we are.

Go Lakers—and thank you, Coach Grabinski, for the legacy that continues to inspire.