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You People… had a lot to say…

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“…a stand up guy that I would back up any day!”

Helmet is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. Over the years I was fortunate to be his teammate a few times. At first, he was super critical of himself, but was always open for constructive criticism. Over the years he went from playing hot potato and being a liability, to becoming a pleasure to have on your team. He is also a generous guy, after winning a championship together, he went out on his own and bought the entire team championship rings. As he got into a position at his job to make a difference, he started to give back. He put in a flag football team in the Special Olympics tournament at Highmark Stadium. He loves this league and group of guys so much, he names the team Seneca Grinders! Later adjusted to Seneca Eldredge Grinders. He is a stand up guy that I would back up anyday! Unless it’s a sports take. 

Chuck Thomasulo

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“…an all-around classic Good Dude…”

I tried using AI to write this for me as I’m incredibly lazy, but it kept using too many Native slurs. Justin (or as he’s known in my phone, Helmet, for reasons I didn’t understand for many years) is an all-around classic Good Dude that we all enjoy being around, no matter how many times he shouts at us to fuck his ass after a missed shot. Mr Gerardi is no one’s idea of an elite athlete in his prime, which separates him from the company he keeps on Wednesday nights by exactly nothing, but his aforementioned Good Dudeness makes him a no-brainer for induction into the Grinders Hall of Fame as its first and hopefully last, for a while, member. I hope he’s able to make it to the bar some nights so we can continue our debates on his favorite teams (Bills, Sabres and Yankees if I recall).

Justin Rybinski

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“…‘fuck me in the ass’…”

Justin “HELMET” “Headset” Gerardi is what Grinders Basketball is all about! Grinders Basketball is about giving everyone a chance to play the game of basketball no matter how talented they are. When I joined Grinders we were playing at Glendale elementary and helmet couldn’t make a layup or a jump shot but always gave it his all. That session he was on a team with Cole, Jeff May and myself, also how he got the nickname “headset”. Couldn’t tell you who our fifth was cause he never showed up. By the end of the session you could see his improvement as well as his understanding of the game of basketball. Yes there was always that “fuck me in the ass” comment when he would screw up but the screw ups came less as the session went on.  He also learned the best spots to get to on offense to be in a position to hit a jumper or layup when the other defense wouldn’t guard him. He’s also the guy who understands his role in a team sometimes to his own detriment. The way I look at grinders is everybody should get an opportunity to play at least 20 minutes a game. He’s been on teams where he’s been lucky to play 15 minutes in a game yet he doesn’t complain.

As the years went on he would improve but his achilles heel was always when he would tear his Achilles. Helmet was also the guy who you never had to ask to help out with the scoreboard clock or stat sheets. You could also count on him to be at the bar (roadhouse, exit 2 or Eldridge) after the games and even when his teams didn’t make the playoffs. Since we moved over to the Eldridge club he would be bring drinks in for those that were keeping score. He’s the definition of what grinders Basketball is about that talent doesn’t matter. we are there to have fun and grab a drink/food after. He will be missed as a player, but hopefully still comes around the league in his retirement.

Mike Ford

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