Built Novi Tough
6/17/03
They’re not even 5 years old yet. And with the temperatures in the 80’s
and the sun starting to shine more often, it may be the last thing on
your mind.
Unless of course you’re Roger Jaussi, Dan Phelps, Dave Zarem, John
Smith, or Dennis “The Wild Man” Gagnon. Then you know that in order to
produce a hockey program that is recognized across the Great Lakes as a
premier organization, it’s a year-round process.
Back in the day, Coach Lester used to tell us, “Football teams are built
in the fall, but football players are built in the summer. And he would
know, as our Vanguards captured 3 state championships under Coach L,
along with a slew of league titles and deep playoff runs.
Well, the same must hold true for hockey as well, and while they may be
in the still embryonic stage of “Wildcat Hockey,” Novi teams have been
knocking on the door of a state title for the last 3 seasons.
Hockey is one of the few “pay to play” sports. The costs are
astronomical, even for a mediocre program. And for a perennial state
contender, fielding a first-class outfit is no small feat. So, taking a
page from Happy Gilmore, the Cats have become creative, resourceful, and
workmanlike, off the ice as well.
Mark your calendars for August 11th. At Walnut Creek Country Club, Novi
Wildcat Hockey, under the direction of Roger Jaussi, will host another
golf outing featuring a day of fun, and an opportunity to help out what
has become one of the coolest sports stories in the annals of Novi
athletics.
And while there weren’t any Adam Sandler sightings last year, a good
time was had by all and the event drew rave reviews. It may be hard to
believe, but in less than 150 days, the Novi Wildcats will take the ice
again in the packed Novi Ice Arena, looking to build on their already
impressive record.
And that same month, the precocious Cat Hockey Family will turn 5 years
old. So make your plans to be on the 1st tee on August 11th, and make
your plans to be at the Arena in November.
And while you’re at it, take a minute to wish the men in green and
white… Happy Birthday…
Click
here for details on
the
Wildcat's annual golf outing.
(c) 2003 Novi
Information Network
www.novi.org
___________________________________
Bernie Fratto is a freelance writer, radio personality, and
motivational speaker. His passion for sports comes in part from
his experience as a former Cincinnati Red farm- hand. "Behind
every sports story lies the hearts and minds of real human beings"
said Fratto. "These athletic endeavors often serve as a
metaphor for the game we call life."
Bernie is also the voice of Novi Wildcat Hockey
and host of Wildcat Face-off, a local
radio program dedicated to youth sports in Novi.
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