Grambau resigns boys varsity to coach JV girls

by Richard Lamb– Advance Editor

Karl Grambau cited family matters in his decision to give up the boys? varsity basketball coaching position and take over the girls? junior varsity post. Following a parent-driven petition drive for ?immediate change? in the program and after a meeting with superintendent Dan Byrne, and a school board committee last week, Grambau resigned one job and was hired Monday for the second.

?This was an easy decision for me. I believe that family is number one followed by academics and then basketball,? Grambau said. During the past season, which was the first that boys and girls played at the same time, he said he missed about half of his daughter Greta?s games when he either had a game or practice on the same night that the girls? team had a game. His son Andy played on the boys? varsity squad last season as a senior. ?It would be the same this season as there are a couple of nights when both the boys and girls play at the same time and on the dates of girls away games I would be practicing,? he said.

ACCORDING TO a preliminary schedule, beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, there are about 10 nights in which both the boys and girls play on the same date. Superintendent Dan Byrne said he met with Grambau, athletic director Pat Lamb, principal Jamie Huber and board members Mike Marx and Allan Smolinski June 5. Byrne made his comments about that meeting in his superintendent?s report Monday, after Grambau had already resigned the boys? job and been appointed to the girls? JV post.

?After hearing Coach Grambau?s responses to the citizens? and the group?s concerns, we all agreed that changes are necessary and will be made to improve the practice performance, conditioning and respect for upcoming seasons,? Byrne said. Byrne told the board that after that June 5 meeting, and based on Grambau?s series of satisfactory performance reviews, he would have recommended Grambau continue as boys? varsity coach. ?However, that decision has been changed with the board?s action tonight, so I guess it is irrelevant at this time, however, the expectations for practice performance, conditioning, respect and preparation will also be expected of the girls? JV basketball position,? Byrne said.

?I HAVE COACHED girls? basketball for over 20 years at all levels and I look forward to coaching the junior varsity girls next season. I also look forward to assisting head coach Paul Stempky with the girls? varsity. We will have a great time working together,? Grambau said. Grambau took over the Huron boys? varsity program in the 2001-2002 season, leading the team to a school record 22-3 season, the district championship and a win in the regional round. The team lost to eventual state champion McBain in the regional championship. In seven years as varsity coach, his teams were 90-66 with two district championships. He served as varsity girls? coach from 1987-2005 when he made the choice to coach only the boy?s team, when the MHSAA switched girls? basketball from fall to winter. His teams were 193-218 in that span with two distr

ict titles.

?I have enjoyed my seven years as varsity boys? basketball coach. I would like to thank the community for all of the support they have given me through the years and I thank our school administrators and the board of education for their support and for the opportunity to coach at RCHS. I will miss coaching the boys and I believe that our boys? basketball team will be strong for years to come. I?m proud that I have been a part of it since 1988 when I began coaching junior varsity boys and assisting the varsity under some great coaches, Dave Viegelahn, Jim Martin, Pete Bush and Howard Madsen,? he said.

?I want to thank all of my volunteer coaches throughout the years and I want to thank my junior varsity coach and good friend Mike Grulke for all of his assistance through the years. But most of all I want to thank all of the boys? basketball players that I have coached through the years for their efforts in making our community proud. It is easy for me to say that I am proud to be from Rogers City when I look back through the years of the effort and sportsmanship of our players,? he said.

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