Charles “Charlie” Gorman Jr. was a foundational figure in Grand Ledge High School athletics, leaving an indelible mark on the community in a tragically short time. A gifted multi-sport athlete, Gorman starred in baseball at Michigan State University, where he helped lead the Spartans to the 1954 Big Ten Championship and a third-place finish in the College World Series. His talent was recognized nationally when he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles and later offered a contract by the New York Yankees, but instead of pursuing professional baseball, he chose to dedicate his life to education and coaching.

Gorman arrived in Grand Ledge in 1959 as a physical education teacher and junior varsity football coach, quickly making his presence felt. That winter, he established the school’s first wrestling program, launching what would become one of the most successful athletic traditions in Comet history. As Grand Ledge’s first head wrestling coach, he compiled an 84–20–1 record in just seven seasons, guiding his teams to five league titles, 3 regional titles and a runner-up finish at the 1962 state tournament.

Under his leadership, Dave Frederick made history by winning Grand Ledge’s first individual state championship in 1961, marking the school’s emergence as a force in Michigan wrestling. The momentum continued the following year as the 1962 squad finished as state runner-up, producing three individual state champions—Bill Waterman, William “Bill” Trachsel, and Doug Eschtruth—a remarkable achievement that solidified Grand Ledge’s reputation statewide.

Throughout the early 1960s, the program also produced a series of All-State wrestlers whose performances exemplified the grit and determination that defined Gorman’s teams: Dan Cline (2nd, 120 lbs, 1961); Chuck Robinson (3rd, 138 lbs, 1961); Dennis Henretty (3rd, 165 lbs, 1961); Larry Spitzley (2nd, 103 lbs, 1962); Joe Cody (2nd, 165 lbs, 1962); Joe Cody (4th, 145 lbs, 1963); Dennis Henretty (4th, 180 lbs, 1963); Larry Spitzley (4th, 127 lbs, 1964); Roger Warner (4th, 138 lbs, 1964); Will Trachsel (2nd, 112 lbs, 1965); and Tom Dingler (2nd, 138 lbs, 1966).

His coaching success extended beyond the mat. In football, Gorman amassed a 27–11–4 record in only five seasons as head coach, winning two league titles and turning the Comets into consistent contenders. At the time of his first league title in 1962, GL had not won a conference championship in football for more than 20 years. He would win 2 titles back-to-back after taking over a program that had a losing record in the 1950s (GL averaged only 2-3 wins per season during this decade in football) and was certainly not considered a "football school". After Gorman's sudden and tragic death, his successor, John Krupa (1967-1984), would take Gorman's new found success in the early 1960s, and turn GL football into a powerhouse  in the late 1960s and the 1970s. Coach Krupa most certainly would attribute much of that success to the leadership, coaching, mentoring and culture provided and established by Coach Gorman.

On the baseball diamond, Coach Gorman was equally dominant, leading Grand Ledge to an 85–27 record over six seasons, while capturing two league titles and two Diamond Classic championships. The 1963 season was particularly noteworthy as they would go 19-1 (the best season in school history up to that point), winning the school's first of many Diamond Classics and the WCC title. 

Beyond the high school programs, he was also instrumental in growing the sport at the grassroots level, helping to establish the Youth Football Program in Grand Ledge alongside Roger Love and Terry Dukes.

Tragically, Gorman’s life and career were cut short in a car accident shortly after the football season in November of 1966 at just 36 years old. At the time of his passing, he was recognized as one of the state’s top coaches across three different sports, admired for his leadership, vision, and impact on young athletes. His legacy has endured for decades. In 2014, he was posthumously inducted into the Lansing Sports Hall of Fame, and the Grand Ledge baseball stadium now bears his name as Gorman Field, a lasting tribute to a man who built programs from the ground up and left behind a legacy rooted in character, excellence, and community pride.

         Coach Gorman’s achievements and influence are still felt today across three different varsity sports at Grand Ledge High School.

Further Links: Lansing Sports Hall of Fame - Class of 2014 , Past Coaches on GL Football's Website , 1962 Wrestling