Lincoln-Way Alumnus Chosen For Joliet Area Sports Hall of Fame

NEW LENOX, IL — Lincoln-Way High School alumnus and professional soccer player Ned Grabavoy’s will be one of four local athletes to be inducted into the 2019 Joliet Area Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 6-10 p.m. at the Joliet Area Historical Museum.

Along with Grabavoy, who played soccer at Lincoln-Way, the Hall of Fame Committee will be adding Jane Condon, one of the first female star athletes in the area; former Chicago Cub and current Cubs radio analyst Ron Coomer; and E “Mack” McLaughlin, 40-year head wrestling coach at Joliet Central High School, to the 12th annual Hall of Fame class, according to the district.

The district said Grabavoy graduated from Lincoln-Way High School in 2001, where he led the Knights to two straight IHSA state championship game appearances. He was also named the 2000-01 Gatorade National High School Player of the Year. After graduation, he attended Indiana
University, where he was the leading scorer for the Hoosiers’ 2003 national championship
team, which earned him consensus first-team All-American honors. He went on to play 13
seasons of professional soccer in the MLS with five different teams.

The community is also invited to the Sports Bash: A Celebration of Champions on Sept. 14
from 6-10 p.m. at the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Tickets are $25 per person and include
photo and meet and greet opportunities with the inductees. For tickets, visit jolietmuseum.org or call 815-723-5201.