Holy Family Catholic High School, a young and rapidly growing institution founded in 2002, is home to a proud yet evolving athletics program. With a focus on cultivating excellence in both academics and sports, school leadership recognized the need to modernize outdated athletic facilities to better support students and inspire pride in the programs. The centerpiece of this transformation? A full-scale locker room renovation featuring GearGrid’s GridIron Team Lockers and Standard Two-Tier Lockers.

 

The Challenge: Outdated, Damaged Lockers Failing Today’s Student-Athletes

When Head Football Coach Dan O’Brien joined the Holy Family program, one of his first observations was the state of the locker room: it hadn’t been updated in over 20 years. 

The facility featured chipped paint, locker damage, rust issues, and limited secure storage. Not only was this space used daily by the football team, it also rotated use across other high school sports—soccer, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse—as well as physical education classes.

“I’m convinced if you give these high school kids a nice locker room, they’re going to treat it well and be good to it,” said Coach O’Brien.

With a concurrent investment being made into the school’s turf field, scoreboard, and bleachers, the coaching staff believed the locker room needed the same attention and a high-quality solution that could withstand daily, year-round use.

 

The Solution: Durable, Custom Lockers Designed for Sports Equipment Storage

After evaluating multiple vendors and touring several athletic facilities, Holy Family chose GearGrid for its unmatched product durability, innovative design, and responsive customer support. GearGrid collaborated closely with the school to develop a custom storage solution that would support their growing athletic program and optimize the use of space. The final layout featured a strategic combination of wall mount and freestanding lockers – a hybrid approach that maximized storage capacity while adapting seamlessly to the unique dimensions of the locker room. 

GearGrid Locker Room Design Configuration:

Coach O’Brien emphasized how the solid construction and build quality of the steel lockers set GearGrid apart from the competition. Each customized GridIron Team Locker includes lockable compartments, durable hooks for helmets and gear, and soft-close door stops to prevent unnecessary wear and tear. The new setup improved storage organization, equipment security, and everyday cleanliness.

“It wasn’t the cheapest bid we received, but it was the highest quality—and it has absolutely proven to be worth the investment.”

 

The Results: Renewed Pride, Improved Behavior, & Long-Lasting Quality

Just one year after the installation, the transformation is undeniable. Not only have the lockers remained in incredible condition despite heavy use across five varsity sports, but the culture of care and pride among students has skyrocketed.

“Our kids vacuum and clean the locker room every single day. That absolutely wasn’t happening before,” said O’Brien.

 

Key Renovation Outcomes Include:

  • Improved student-athlete morale and respect for facilities

  • Zero damage or paint wear after one year of use

  • Highly positive feedback from athletes, coaches, and school administrators

  • Easy maintenance and long-term durability through all sports seasons

Coach O’Brien also highlighted how the local, Minnesota-based nature of GearGrid contributed to the successful partnership. No matter what was needed, communication with the GearGrid team was consistently quick and solution-focused.

“If another school is considering this, I’d say come take a look at ours. After a full year of use, it still looks like it was installed two weeks ago.”

 

A Winning Collaboration: Why GearGrid Was the Right Choice for Holy Family 

Holy Family chose GearGrid as their locker room storage partner because of:

  1. Exceptional build quality that stands up to the demands of daily athletic use
  2. Flexible, customizable configurations designed to fit their specific locker room layout
  3. Responsive customer service with trusted local support throughout the process
  4. Proven performance and long-term durability in athletic environments 
  5. Strong recommendations from trusted peers in the athletic community 

 

Looking Ahead: A Lasting Impact for Holy Family Athletics 

Holy Family Catholic High School’s locker room upgrade reflects a broader commitment to student success, school pride, and athletic excellence. With GearGrid’s high-performance locker systems, the school has created a lasting foundation for its growing sports programs.

Whether you’re designing a new athletic facility or renovating an outdated space, we deliver unmatched quality and support—built to perform and built to last.

To learn more about how GearGrid can revolutionize your athletic space, browse our wide range of athletic storage products or contact us to start your next project.