Stevens players remember teammate

Boosters expected schools to earn $60,000 from Rushmore Bowl

By Ryan Woodard, Journal staff | Monday, September 08, 2008

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The Rapid City Stevens Raiders kicked off the 16th annual Rushmore Bowl by honoring a fallen teammate.

Before the team won its first home game since the death of 16-year-old Ryan Gramberg, Gramberg's parents presented the game ball.

A heavy rain put a damper on the ceremony, but Stevens athletic director Tyler Rachetto said it was a "nice tribute to the family and to Ryan."

The Rushmore Bowl is a special event each year, and it means thousands of dollars for the booster clubs of both Stevens and Rapid City Central, Rachetto said. But the death of Gramberg, who collapsed and later died after a football practice in July, made this year's event different, he said. Gramberg, who played for the Raiders as a lineman, died of a heart disease.

"To come out with a win makes it more special, and to pay tribute to Ryan Gramberg and his family makes it even more special," he said after the game.

"What we learned from Ryan is Ryan really loved Stevens High School, and he loved Stevens football. That's one thing we try to remember is how much pride he had for our school and for our football program."

Stevens players placed stickers with Gramberg's initials on their helmets, and bracelets were given away for donations to help defray the family's medical costs.

"We talk about him being our 12th man, always with us in spirit," Stevens head coach Paul Ferdinand said. He said it was the players' idea to put the stickers on their helmets.

Stevens defeated Spearfish High School 20-6, and Central was slated to battle Sturgis High School later in the evening.

The Rushmore Bowl is an annual event largely focused on fundraising.

Rachetto and members of both booster clubs said fundraising efforts went extremely well before and during the game.

Stevens booster club chairwoman Micki Izzillo said she expected the schools to earn about $60,000 through fundraising. All proceeds from the gate are split between the two schools' booster clubs.

She said recent budget problems at the school district may have increased donations this year.

"I think they know it's for a good cause because they don't have enough funding for schools," she said.

Good crowds tend to help fundraising efforts, and the Rushmore Bowl tends to bring people out, Diane Lang, treasurer of the booster club for Central, said. She said the Rushmore Bowl is typically the best-attended high school football game in Rapid City.

"You can tell by the crowd size, it's much bigger than any other game," she said. "I think it's just the kickoff to the whole football season."

Spearfish fan Lois Jacobs agreed.

"It's great," she said. "It's just always the beginning of the season. It gets everybody revved up and excited."

The stands were fairly full Saturday, despite the rainfall.

Jerald Applebee traveled all the way from Murdo to watch his grandson play for Central. A former coach and a big football fan, Applebee was looking forward to the games Saturday as he walked into O'Harra Stadium.

"It's good football, and it's good crowds and good entertainment for people in the Hills," he said. "I love football."

Contact Ryan Woodard at 394-8412 or ryan.woodard@rapidcityjournal.com.