About the Carlin Nalley Foundation

The Carlin Nalley Foundation began as the Carlin Nalley Scholarship Fund in 2005 when Kurt Grutzmacher ('76) committed to awarding college scholarship money to the winners of the Babe Didrikson Zaharias and Brian Piccolo Awards. He did so to honor Carlin Nalley who coached Grutzmacher in both football and track at Lisle.

Grutzmacher started for two years in the Lions backfield where he helped lead the Lions to consecutive Northeast Conference titles and a combined 15-3 record. In track, Kurt won conference titles in hurdles and relays. After his graduation from LHS, Grutzmacher went on to play halfback at Elmhurst College. With diploma in hand, his career in the stock market took him to New York City and now Northern California, but   Kurt never lost his fondness for his hometown, the friends from his youth, or the coach who was such a positive influence on his life.

"I have two kids and I hope one day there is a Carlin Nalley in their lives" said Grutzmacher.  "Coach was always a role model for me. He was tough, fair, worked as hard as anyone I've ever known, and yet cared so much for every athlete as an individual. We were successful, but he was never satisfied and never let us be satisfied. I know I've taken so many of his lessons and use them every day of my life. I just wanted to give something back"

And give he did. The Carlin Nalley Foundation was born in 2008 and is now a fully recognized 501c Not for Profit organization. The Foundation has taken over the endowment of scholarships to the Piccolo and Zaharias winners, then announced the expansion of the scholarship program beginning in 2009.

During the LISLE50 all-years reunion in March, 2008 The Carlin Nalley Foundation announced the formation of three additional scholarship initiatives. The Rick Beato Scholarship will be awarded for the first time in 2009 to the LHS Senior who excels in journalism and writing. At the same time scholarhships will be awarded in the name Beverly Fiore (dramatic arts) and Dr. John Mulcare (Science).

"The Foundation is a great way for alums to give back to their hometown and their school. We are fortunate to have gone to a school the size of Lisle where students all know each other and the faculty members are more than just teachers in the classroom. They run the clubs, teams, and extracurricular activities that make the whole experience special. The teachers we honor with scholarships touched so many lives during their decades at Lisle that I couldn't think of a better way to honor them and give back to my school"  said Grutzmacher.

NALLEY FOUNDATION OFFICERS (2009-2010)

Non Profit Statement (501c)