Grabski family donates to PWYA in honor of late patriarch

By Brandi Makuski

It all started with Dave Grabski.

Grabski, who died in 2019 at the age of 68, left a strong legacy in local youth sports. The former board member at Plover-Whiting Youth Athletics helped build what is now Woyak Sports Complex — literally and figuratively, using some of his construction background in the planning process.

Now, the Grabski family is helping Woyak reach its next milestone with a $25,000 donation.

PWYA announced last year a $1.3-million development at Woyak that includes a two-story pavilion with internal storage and ADA/wheelchair access to both levels. The intent behind the proposal, according to PWYA’s Chris Brooks, is to allow for more viewing areas, storage, a PWYA Hall of Fame, and a shelter.

Grabski began coaching sons Dan and Brandon as they played baseball in the mid-1980s. According to Justin Jankowski from PWYA, Grabski coached the boys from T-ball to SPASH to Plover Legion, then he moved into umpiring.

“His love for guiding children extended beyond sports as he moved into teaching at the high school and junior high school levels,” Jankowski said in a news release.

Dan Grabski followed in his father’s footsteps, coaching his own son, Darren through T-Ball through Babe Ruth leagues, and himself became a member of the PWYA Board. With eight years on the Board, Dan Grabski served as a league coordinator and tournament director.

Jankowski said when the Woyak improvement project was announced, the Grabski family said they couldn’t think of any better way to honor their father than by donating some of his funds to the complex.

The Board extended its gratitude to the family for its four decades of service, and the donation, which is the largest made by a private donor to date, Jankowski said.

Dave Grabski also served as a Plover Village Trustee and was a longtime science teacher at P.J. Jacobs Junior High.