Bernie Fratto

Speaking
of
Sports 

by
Bernie 
Fratto

 
Tradition, never
graduates… not
from summer school

7/18/05

When Kevin Cislo takes the field for the East All-Stars in the MSHAA State Football game, in will mark the 4th straight year the Novi Wildcats have had a representative in this prestigious event.

In 2002, Matt Gorman participated, and he now plays for Central Michigan University. In 2003, Chase Chandler was selected, and he just completed his 2nd year as a defensive back for Albion College.

Last year Josh Buck saw action at fullback, as he is working to continue his playing career at Grand Valley State University.

There are over 700 High Schools in the State of Michigan that compete in football. The East/West Squads feature 45 athletes each, and only one is allow per school, no exceptions.

It is an honor for any HS to have one of their athletes represent the student body, the team, and the coaching staff.

For a school to have one of theirs chosen, it is quite an accomplishment. To have a school send a representative (4) years in a row……well, that is… off the hook!

This is a real tribute to the excellence and tradition of the Novi High School Football program. Kudos to Tab Kellepourey, Dave Hartman, John Osborne, Rand Helmkamp, et al.

It won’t be long until the Wildcat team takes the field again, against Chelsea in the Big Quadruple-Header at Eastern Michigan University on August 27th.

By then Kevin Cislo, the 2005 graduate, will be enrolled as a Michigan Wolverine, and an official member of their Baseball Team.

Tradition really does never graduate. Especially at Novi High School when even summer school is always in session.

Especially when it comes to gridiron excellence.

(c) 2005 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 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.