Speaking of Sports Column Archive

Speaking
of
Sports

by
Bernie
Fratto

What’s your ‘68’

‘Winning is a state of mind, even if you’re off the pace, you never stop believing you’ll win the race”

1/17/2005

In the last few days Todd Janer, Anthony Harbin and Mark Eberline all made clutch plays at the buzzer to capture key victories for their respective Novi Wildcat teams.

These are not isolated incidents. Last year Trevor Hoover nailed a clutch ‘3’ to break Northville’s back in the District Finals. Mark Angelocci’s 28-yard field goal sunk Adrian in the District Football Final. Josh Buck’s crushing blow at the goal line on All-American Jim Presley (Milford) in the playoffs sent the heavily favored Mavericks home for good. Joey Fratto hit (8) straight free throws in double-overtime last year against KVC nemesis Pinckney and the victory resulted in a share of the conference title.

What drives these young men? Their teams? Their Coaches? I believe inside every athlete resides their own personal ’68’… Let me explain.

NHL star Jaromir Jagr hails from Czechoslovakia. In 1968, when the Russians invaded Czechoslovakia, Jagr’s grandfather was killed fighting for his family. He was fighting for freedom and the pursuit of a better life.

Jagr wasn’t born until 1972, but when he learned of this story, he was overwhelmed, and he was determined to honor his grandfather’s sacrifice. The gifted hockey player worked incessantly to become the star he has become.

Upon arrival in the NHL, he selected the number ‘68’ in memoriam of his grandfather, and a personal reminder that he wanted to live up to the legacy that was left. He never wants to forget the year (1968) and the symbolism of the heart and guts his grandfather showed in the face of great odds.

Even though hockey, basketball, and football are not life and death events like facing the Soviet Army would have been, I believe inside each athlete burns their own personal ‘68’.

And I believe inside each Novi team burns their own collective ‘68’. Perhaps their sensational efforts honor the legacy left before them... The District and Regional Championships, the KVC Titles and all the fantastic finishes… Perhaps they are destined to simply be winners.

In the meantime, a big shout-out to Janer, Eberline, and Harbin, and to all their teammates and coaches… They’re formulating their own ‘68’ for future teams. Where will their clutch performances lead?

No one knows for sure yet, but if past is prologue then the future looks very bright…Sure they’ve got more work to do, but you just know they are up for the fight. Don’t bet against these guys. It’s clear the fire burns brightly.

I bet Jaromir Jagr would be proud.

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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 on the broadcast team at Live 97.1FM talk-radio, and is a frequent co-host on the popular "Parker & The Man Show," a nightly sportstalk show which airs Monday-Friday from 7-11pm.