Coaching, Volunteerism Run Deep For Falls' Mike Grzesiak

The knack for coaching is something some people are born with, and Mike Grzesiak of Menomonee Falls is one of those people.

For the past eight years, Grzesiak has coached 17 teams in five different youth programs. He’s also served on boards and volunteered. When adding all the practices, travel times, and game times, Grzesiak doesn’t have much time for himself.

Grzesiak serves as the Menomonee Falls Youth Basketball Association president, and served as a player-agent and vice president before that. He has also coached the girls youth teams for seven years. He coached youth girls in the Menomonee Falls Soccer Club for three years, and volunteered to coach the FC Milwaukee U-7 coed team, and two junior girls teams a year later.

He even coached the .

There’s more.

Grzesiak also spent three summers coaching girl’s Little League teams, as well.

His dedication to youth sports earned him the Menomonee Falls School District “Friend of Education” award Monday.

“I’d like to thank my wife Beth for her patience over the last nine years. There are many family dinners that I haven’t been there for,” Grzesiak said. “I guess the desire to coach came from my late father. He was a youth coach for many years. If I can make a positive impact on just one child I’ll continue doing what I’m doing.”

The voice of Menomonee Falls sports, Jerry Mislang, nominated Grzsiak for the district’s honor.

“The countless hours, travel, games, practices, and meetings that he puts in. Throwing the ball up for the game is recess for him, but doing what Mike does makes a difference. When you coach, develop skills, and mentor,” Mislang said.

Each “Friend of Education” award is bus potrait created by a third-grader in the district. Shady Lane Elementary student Airik Hudson created Grzsiak’s award.