Bernie Fratto

Inside the Frattohouse 

by
Bernie 
Fratto

 
Spring Break Musings

March 31, 2008

The sports calendar in Novi might have taken a spring break, but that doesn’t mean great sports conversations that reflect how the sporting world mirrors real life took a vacation as well, and I’m glad it didn’t.

Months ago I wrote a column about Novi’s Alex Lyall regarding his unmitigated honesty in a golf tournament in which his forthrightness almost cost him a qualification, but it spoke to a higher moral ground that very few people attain. Ironically I was commenting on a person I’d never met, but I met him last week in Cancun, and I’m glad I did.

Lyall is on his way to the University of Louisville to play golf, and I have no doubt he will be very successful. No question he’s a sensational ball striker but in our conversation he focused on hard work, dedication, sacrifice and the commitment to get better. He never once talked about his long drives, his short game, or his putting abilities. In other words he showed maturity and a mental approach exuding humility that is critical to success in sports and in life.

I had the same type of experience the next day with Novi CC’s Joe Kinville. A star wrestler and football player he is on his way to Central Michigan University and he is looking to excel on the gridiron in college. I complimented him and his team for capturing 5 straight road victories and almost upsetting eventual State Champion Macomb Dakota last fall.

But he didn’t talk about personal statistics or their on-field achievements, instead we focused on heart and will and determination, as we agreed that those attributes were critical to success in sports and in life.

In just weeks Lyall and Kinville will be heading off to the real world, taking with them the wisdom learned on the field of play, wisdom shared with an older dude like me that I appreciated hearing. They confirmed what I’ve always believed.

Keep an eye on Novi’s Alex Lyall and Novi CC’s Joe Kinville… You’ll be hearing about them in the future.

…In sports and in life.

(c) 2008 Novi Information Network
www.novi.org

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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.