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More Moe-Mentum
April 28, 2008
Back in July 2004 I wrote about Novi's Maureen Pawlak in this column.
She had just returned from Florida after leading her U18 Michigan Hawks
to a National Championship. Although she didn't score a goal that week,
her on-field presence and leadership abilities clearly resonated. In
addition to being a brilliant athlete and team player, she was like a
coach on the field.
Hold that thought...
Maureen Pawlak just finished four exceptional years at Michigan State. A
standout on the soccer field, she now ranks in the Spartan All-Time Top
20 in goals, assists, and points.
Most importantly, she left the same impression I thought she would
leave. It was the same impression I had after seeing her wind down her
stellar career at Novi HS when she graduated in 2004.
I have always trusted my eyes when evaluating athletes. I keep my eyes
open, and I also keep them 'open' if you know what I mean. In addition
to highly refined skills, Pawlak possesses a temperment and demeanor
that has a way of truly rubbing off on teammates in a genuine, positive
way.
I'm not talking about the superficial actions of some athletes who clap
their hands and say 'let's go team' so they can look important. I'm
talking about a more enlightened approach that gives off the type of
energy that people want to be around. That's the type of selflessness
and passion she has in spades.
As a result, Pawlak is returning to the soccer field...as a coach. She
is now coaching HS soccer in Laingsburg and there is no doubt her skills
on the field will transfer well as a teacher of the game.
The Maureen Pawlak momentum continues. Who knows where it will lead her
in the next few years, but you can be sure her hard work and dedication
will always take her places where her teambuilding attributes can
continue to be her trademark.
(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.
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