Newsday - September 17, 2004

In Honor of Craig Grumet

New soccer field at Wheatley is named for a popular player who died in a car crash in May at the age of 17

BY ADAM GORNEY

STAFF WRITER

September 17, 2004

Craig Grumet was not one for pageantry, but his mother, Ginny, is certain that her only child is smiling and giving his trademark thumbs-up sign of approval.

Grumet, a former defender on the Wheatley boys soccer team, was killed at the age of 17 in an automobile accident May 7. He will be remembered by his family and teammates tomorrow morning when Wheatley's new soccer field will be named the Craig J. Grumet Memorial Field.

The dedication ceremony will commence at 10 a.m., prior to Wheatley's game against Great Neck North.

"I somehow believe Craigy's giving the thumbs up," Ginny Grumet said. "We would so much rather have him and still do the soccer field, but he's definitely smiling."

The ceremony culminates months of fund-raising and construction on the brand-new field, a project that raised more than $100,000 in donations.

Marc Grumet, Craig's father, and the Wheatley community spearheaded the project, which started in July. "It couldn't have been accomplished without 100 percent love and compassion for my son," Marc Grumet said. "Craigy had so many people care about him and he cared about so many people."

Included in the ceremony will be the unveiling of a new scoreboard and the retirement of Grumet's jersey. A photo and biography will be placed in an observation case in the high school, and a memorial fund in his name has been launched.

"There is a small hole in my heart somewhere," Wheatley coach Bernie Hintz said. "He was always the kind of kid who gave his best."

Hintz recalled when Wheatley played for the state title in 2001, and Grumet started as a freshman. With 20 minutes left and the game out of reach, Hintz substituted for his starters and whispered to a despondent Grumet: "Don't worry. We'll be back to do this again."

Hintz believes this year's team is capable of winning a state crown, which would be its first since 1983.

Grumet would have started his senior year at stopper.

"Suddenly, winning a soccer game is so much less important," Hintz said. "Not having him around for the rest of our lives to enrich us with his enthusiasm and his smile, that's significant."

The Grumets, who live minutes from the field, plan to attend every game possible. Even without their son competing on the field, it gives them solace knowing they can cheer on his teammates playing in their late son's spirit. That does not fill the void left by Craig Grumet's passing, but helps with the grieving process.

"He was everything a parent could wish for and everything more," Ginny Grumet said. "He had a real love for his team. Craigy was everyone's best friend and we still want to support the team."