Joey Grabanski enters his second year as a graduate assistant coach with the Upper Iowa baseball program after joining the staff during the 2025-26 academic year. Grabanski assists with the program's recruiting efforts, player development and day-to-day operations while working closely with the Peacock offense.
Grabanski joined the Upper Iowa staff following one of the most accomplished playing careers in Concordia University, Nebraska baseball history. During his four-year career, he started 227 games while batting .382 with 309 hits, 88 home runs, 300 RBIs, 227 runs scored and 129 walks. He graduated as the NAIA career leader in home runs and RBIs while setting Concordia program records for career batting average (.382) and walks (129). He also ranks among the program's career leaders in games played, hits, runs scored, doubles and at-bats.
A two-time NAIA Second Team All-American, Grabanski earned GPAC Player of the Year honors in 2023 before being named Co-GPAC Player of the Year in 2024. He was a four-time First Team All-GPAC selection (2021-24), the 2024 Concordia Male Senior Athlete of the Year and a two-time Omaha World-Herald All-Midlands Team selection, earning Honorary Captain recognition following his senior season. During his senior campaign, Grabanski batted .397 with 26 home runs and 88 RBIs while helping lead the Bulldogs to another NAIA National Championship opening round appearance. Following his collegiate career, Grabanski played professionally with the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League and the Santa Fe Fuego of the Pecos League.
A native of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Grabanski graduated from Grand Forks Central High School before earning a bachelor's degree in Recreation and Sport Studies with a minor in Business from Concordia University, Nebraska, in 2024. He is currently pursuing a master's degree of Business Administration in Sports Administration at Upper Iowa University.
