Girls soccer: Grabner steps down at Huntley

The Huntley girls soccer program has come a long way from its inception in 2004 and Kris Grabner has been there every step of the way.

But come next spring the program will be without its founding father, who won't be back to coach the girls squad for a 15th season.

Friday's season-ending sectional final loss to Hononegah in penalty kicks signaled the end of the line for Grabner, who submitted his resignation a few weeks ago.

"After 14 years, it was really a hard decision to make, to step away from something that you put so much time and so much of your life into," said Grabner, who stated he'll continue to coach the boys program.

After a 3-15 start in 2004, Grabner compiled a 228-77-15 record with 11-straight regional titles and 3 sectional titles. Last year, the program reached the state finals for the first time, placing fourth. A math teacher at Huntley, Grabner is a part of the Illinois' Competency-Based Pilot Program at the school. Huntley is one of 10 schools statewide to participate in the program, which looks to develop competency-based learning systems so educators can evaluate and advance students based on their proficiency rather than time spent in the classroom.

The program can personalize a student's learning experience with technology and utilization of a teacher's talent. Grabner's participation, along with finding ways to free up time to watch his son Jake, a sophomore at Loras, play in tournaments for the school's golf team, played a key role in the decision, despite all the relationships and philosophy taught on and off the field.

"I started clearing a lot of my plate six or seven months ago, giving my notice on different things just to try to open up time," said Grabner. "The pilot is a huge deal and opportunity for me and the district. Also don't want to get the (tournaments) results through texts and not be there to see it and being there to support him. That weighed heavy on me as well."