Grayslake Heritage Center Opens "Leave Nothing on the Field"

Over 30 years, Bill Eiserman coached almost every sport at Grayslake Community High School. One day, a former student gave Eiserman a tile from the gym floor he had walked many times.

“He told me, ‘You’ve spent so much time in that gym as a coach and as a teacher, you’ve probably stood right in this spot,’” Eiserman said.

The floor tile is among the items featured in a new exhibition titled “Leave Nothing on the Field.”  The exhibit opened Feb. 27 at the Grayslake Heritage Center.

Richard Anderson, who has lived in Grayslake since 1965,  said the exhibit reminds him of playing for Eiserman and the values he taught that have stayed through adulthood.

“It’s great they have done this and that he can see this because he meant so much to athletics in Grayslake for so many years,” he said.

“Leave Nothing on the Field,” featuring items from the Grayslake Historical Society explores the stories of past athletes from professional to amateurs and shares how sports in American society has changed over time.

“It is a great way to really connect with the community. It is a very sports minded town,” said Dave Oberg, the center’s executive director. “And for those who moved into the community in the 1990s or more recently, they may not know the stories of the community’s sports pioneers.”

The exhibit features items that tell the story of past Grayslake athletes and teams such as the Gray’s Lake Baseball Club of 1890 that played a perfect season until September’s loss to Fox Lake.  The room covers many sports including Grayslake's two basketball teams and local curler Jacob Pech.

“I  never really though of Grayslake as having a sports history but I started thinking about it and my kids play sports,” said resident Maryanne Natarajan. “I get to learn a little more about where I live.”  

The exhibit also explores Title IX, which was created in 1972 and how it has worked toward creating a level playing field for both genders in sports.

“It’s good to see how things have expanded. Back when I was coaching there was only boys sports,” Eiserman said. “Now the girls are involved in sports, which was long coming. My girls went to Grayslake High School, and I would have loved to see them participate in sports.”

For Don Steffen, the exhibit rekindles memories playing high school sports in Grayslake.

“It brings back memories of our undefeated sophomore season of 1960. It brings back memories the headline that described Grayslake as the Yankees of the Northwest Suburban Conference,” he said.

Oberg said it is not possible to explore the history of Grayslake’s sports within 425 square feet and hopes this is only the beginning.

“The idea behind this to provoke. We want people to reminisce, to talk, to share their stories so we begin gathering more information,” he said. “It creates a stronger sense of community and ultimately we learn more about ourselves and each other.”

To support the exhibit, which runs through mid-October, Eiserman will share local stories with the public at 7:30 p.m. March 9. Oberg added the public also will be invited to join an 1850s style baseball game this summer.

The Grayslake Heritage Center is located at 164 Hawley St. and is open from noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday and by appointment.