Speaking
of Sports 

by
Bernie Fratto

 
Flipping the script-Where are they now?
August 18, 2011

When my daughter Jamie Fratto graduates from UNLV next May, the record will show she earned varsity letters in soccer as well as track and field. In addition, she oversaw "Rebel Kids Club," an organization that hosts youth groups for UNLV sporting events.

But, that's not the script we might have written when she left the safety of her home in Novi back in August 2008.

Six weeks later, I wrote this article and I got several replies asking for an update. But it took years for the script to be finalized.

After playing in all of the first eight games and traveling to all road matches in her freshman year, she severely damaged her left knee again, exactly ten days after this piece appeared on novi.org. As a result her season was finished. Once again, opportunity had been ripped away from her and she would require another major surgery. That following December, she underwent a complete knee reconstruction. This was her third surgery on the same knee, but this time it was far more serious.

Eight months later, the knee was simply not ready to make the necessary starts, stops and cuts on the soccer field, but Jamie wanted to stay active, so she dove into the 'Rebel Kids Club' organization, and it was a great experience.

Months later the knee was still not cooperating, but she was able to run in a straight line, so she took advantage of an opportunity to join UNLV's track/cross-country team, and began competing in the 2-mile run, participating in all of the meets. She placed several times, helping her team.

By January 2011, it looked like soccer would finally become a reality again. Jamie played in all nine spring games for UNLV's Women's Soccer team, but the knee simply wasn't cooperating. There was constant swelling, pain, and it even looked like their was more damage once again to her new ACL.

Rather than feel sorry for herself or complain, Jamie is remaining with the team for her senior year as the Student Manager. In Division I intercollegiate sports, the Student Manager has a lot of responsibility and it's a great opportunity. And the best part - she is still around the coaches and players she cares about. And, they care about her. Meanwhile, the influential contacts she has made during this unforeseen odyssey have been invaluable. So, there is a silver lining.

Former Duke All-American, and NBA star Grant Hill probably said it best when he was quoted as saying; "When it comes to sports and life… always pack two parachutes."

He was right.

It's not easy for a youngster to leave home and attend college 2,500 miles away. And she could've easily wimped out and returned back to Novi, like a lot of kids do when they don't get their way. That would've been the easy way out. But in sports and life, you only get to higher ground by taking the harder road. You don't get there by talking about it.

Now Jamie's sacrifices and resilience have been noticed and doors are opening. And one has to wonder if the same doors would've opened, had Jamie not had so many setbacks?

Four years ago, it's probably not the script Jamie would've written, but the lesson is simple: It's not what happens to you, it's how you react.

Onward and Upward…

NOTE: We would like to hear from other Novi alums that have continued their sports endeavors since high school. Where are you now? What's your story? Contact us through novi.org.

(c) 2011 Novi Information Network
www.novi.org