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Grombala Earns CHSL Hall of Fame Nod
Posted: Sep 13, 2021

Grombala Earns CHSL Hall of Fame Nod

DETROIT, Mich. -- Former John Carroll University Women's Lacrosse player Colleen Grombala has added one more accolade to her outstanding athletic resume. 

Grombala was inducted into the Detroit Catholic High School League (CHSL) Hall of Fame Class of 2021 for her accomplishments during her time at Marian High School and JCU.

The reigning OAC Offensive Player of the Year was one of 26 athletes, coaches, officials and administrators inducted into the esteemed CHSL Hall of Fame during a banquet on Monday, September 13 at Fern Hill Golf Club in Clinton Township, Michigan. The athletes who are nominated by their respective schools must have proven athletic success not only in high school, but at the collegiate level as well.

"This CHSL Hall of Fame recognition is such an honor," Grombala said. "I started playing lacrosse at the age of seven and further enhanced my skills on Marian's varsity team for four years. My Marian coach, Jamie Francek, and my Detroit Coyotes club coach, Sherry Pifer, taught me the ins and outs of the game, developing me into the player I was at JCU."

Pifer, who is the current head girls lacrosse coach at Marian, nominated Grombala for the prestigious honor.

"Colleen was that high school athlete that every coach hopes to have," Pifer said. "My favorite quality of hers has to be watching how much fun Colleen had on the field. Her spirit and enthusiasm were contagious and she took that enthusiasm and love of lacrosse into her college career."

https://marianhs.prestosports.com/general/2021-22/photos/0002/DSC_1776_ad_hoc.jpg?max_height=228&max_width=521

At John Carroll, Grombala became the first All-American in program history and also set the team record for most goals scored in a career with 285. In addition, the four-time All-OAC and four-time Academic All-OAC player led the Blue Streaks to their first ever OAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance this past spring.  



The 2016 graduate of Marian, the all-girls school located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, racked up many accomplishments at the high school level as well, including All-Catholic, All-League, All-State, and All-American honors. A standout in the classroom, she was named Academic All-State and Serra Chevrolet's Student-Athlete of the Month in October 2015 through the award-winning Michigan high school sports show "State Champs."  

A two-year team captain for Marian, Grombala also helped lead the Mustangs to four straight CHSL titles and a runner-up finish in the 2015 Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state championship.

"Colleen was a dedicated player and a constant student of the game who was serious and competitive as well as respectful to her coaches and fellow teammates," Pifer added. "She was one of Marian's most successful lacrosse alumni.  It was truly a pleasure to have coached Colleen throughout her younger years."

The Detroit CHSL, founded in 1926, began a Hall of Fame in 1976 inducting graduating college seniors as well as older alumni who may have been overlooked in the past. Eventually, it evolved into also honoring coaches, officials and administrators who have had a significant impact on their schools and the league.

Grombala (far right) with her family after a Marian lacrosse game. Over 1,000 people have been inducted into the CHSL Hall of Fame including 300+ athletes from more than 60 different schools.

"We are very excited to welcome Colleen into the CHSL Hall of Fame," Vic Michaels, director of the CHSL said. "About 600 people attend the ceremony each year and it will be nice having it this time since it was cancelled last year with a bigger class. It is incredible to honor those who have helped their schools and the league become successful and have had success collegiately."

Grombala is believed to only be the second girls lacrosse player inducted into the CHSL Hall of Fame and first Blue Streak elected in.

Some notable inductees from the past include college football broadcasters Gary Danielson and Gus Johnson, former NFLers Brian Brennan, Braylon Edwards, Pat Shurmur, Joe DeLamielleure, TJ Lang, and Connor Barwin, former Chicago Bull BJ Armstrong, and Basketball Hall of Famer Dave DeBusschere.

"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my incredible teammates, coaches, and family supporting me and pushing me every step of the way," Grombala added. "I am grateful for my experiences along the way, as well as the opportunity to play at the collegiate level at John Carroll for five years.  A big thank you to all of those who have supported me and thank you to the CHSL for this wonderful recognition."

Special Thanks to John Carroll University Sports Information for this story. The orginal version can be found HERE.

 

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