Legends; the role they play in my life

(Taken from Gringo's Blog)

Legends; the role they play in my life

I find it important, when the opportunity is there, to sit down with Legends fm any sport. I had the honor of doing just that on July 25, 2010. Fred Zamberletti, Grandfather of Patrick and Jay stopped in during registration with his daughter, Lisa. Lisa has the same passion for her children, and sports, as Fred has shown during his fifty (50) years with the Vikings. While on their way, she called the camp and said, “I’ve talked my father in to driving up with me fm Bloomington and he wants to meet you.” While it was nice of Lisa, she had it wrong. I was the one who wanted to meet him.



We sat down in the dryland and strength training area to discuss sports; past, present and future. He was especially happy to see the number of players in the gym when they were not scheduled to be there. One player told him, “Character is defined by what you do when no one is looking.” Needless to say, Fred was impressed. He met our intern trainer, Katie, fm Mankato and couldn’t have been nicer to her. They spoke and he was in no hurry to cut the conversation short. The message is clear, “All the great people in our society have time for young people just starting out in their careers. Fred is one who believes all they need is an opportunity.”



The stories flowed all the way back to his time in Hibbing, MN in 1959. He knew every coach in the Hibbing system regardless of what sport they were involved. Names like Herman Frickey, Joe Milinovich, Mario Retica, George Perpich, Frank Bugliosi, Al Rice, Nick Maras, Cal Sabatini and others were all known by first name. He was throwing out all of the names and had even spent some time in the service with George Jetty. He spoke about Don Brose and the great job he did with the Mankato State program.



We talked about the Hankinson family. Ben is here with his two boys and eight others fm Edina. One of them is the son of Dean Williamson, grandson of Murray (72 Olympic Coach) who Fred knew well. He took time to say hi and throw out a few colorful one liners.



I was most impressed by his knowledge of hockey; past and present names and teams throughout the state of Minnesota. We talked extensively about Bud Grant, Herb Brooks and others.



Fred Zamberletti's Biography



Fred Zamberletti enters 2007 with a long and storied history with the franchise and a remarkable streak intact-Zamberletti has not missed a game in the 47-year history of the Vikings, working 948 consecutive contests. The streak includes all preseason, regular season and postseason games in club history.



Zamberletti has earned the respect and trust of countless players and staff during his tenure with the Vikings. In his time with the team Zamberletti has been a friend, brother, father figure and mentor to countless players, coaches and co-workers. When the team held Fred Zamberletti Day on December 20, 1998 before kickoff of the Vikings-Jacksonville Jaguars game, over 100 Vikings alumni turned out to celebrate with him.



To the media he's known as "Trainer for Life." Former head coach Bud Grant acknowledged him as the "Cornerstone of the Vikings" and former General Manager Mike Lynn referred to Fred as "Mr. Viking." The players with respect and admiration refer to him as "The Man." To his friends and compatriots he is known as "The Voice of Reason." Zamberletti was the Head Trainer from 1961-98, Coordinator of Medical Services from 1999-2001 and currently Senior Consultant. A successful entrepreneur and a man of deep religious beliefs, the 74-year-old Zamberletti was a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Infantry.



Following his graduation from the University of Iowa he served as chief physical therapist at Hibbing General Hospital in 1959 and head athletic trainer at the University of Toledo in 1960 before joining the Vikings at the team's inception in 1961.



Zamberletti is a native of Melcher, IA, and in addition to numerous professional awards he was inducted into the Minnesota Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame and was chosen Professional Athletic Trainer of the Year in 1986 by the Drackett Company of Cincinnati. He and the Vikings staff earned the 1996 NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year. In 1999 he earned the Cain Fain Award at the NFL Physicians Sports Sciences Symposium and is an Honorary Fellow of the Minneapolis Sports Medicine Center. Recognized by the governor as an Honorary Ambassador of the State of Minnesota, Zamberletti has also received Minneapolis' Honorary Citizen Award. The PFATS' senior member enjoys walking, bocce ball and cribbage.



Fred was quick to comment when I mentioned the use of the Johari Window in our program. He said, “I find it interesting you bring up the Johari Window. I know very few who are aware of the process for creating awareness and solving problems. I know people who need it badly and have no idea what it is.”



His one liners were one after the other, all tied to affection, loyalty and respect.



I find one common denominator with Legends. It’s all about the passion they have for the sports in general, the passion they have for people, the history of the game and their willingness to talk unconditionally about something they love. We can always learn something fm them because their knowledge and wisdom runs so deep.



I have no problem saying I have a deep respect and love for Fred Zamberletti as a person and professional after just two hours. This is the neat thing about sports. We don’t need a lifetime to develop a relationship. The sporting world is full of short term relationships that last forever. We can always take something fm these relationships even if we don’t see the person again. It’s there, it’s unconditional and it’s priceless. I took a lot fm the experience and will treasure the moment as long as I live.



Thanks, Fred!



We finished the day with Rob Grillo, San Jose; Dino Grillo, Multi task hockey man; Greg Malone, Tampa Bay; Scott Luce, Florida; Scott Hillman, Independence, MO; Josh Hauge, Fairbanks Ice Dogs; Clairene Grillo, Matriarch of MHC.



Copyright by Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps, 24621 So Clark Lake, Rd P.O. Box 90, Nisswa, MN 56468-0090 Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325 Email: chuck@mnhockeycamps.com All rights are reserved. No part of this book, blog OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps