Chuck Grillo's Speech from the Hall of Fame Induction
I do not have the longevity that qualifies some for this honor. I consider this a very humbling experience. I've had the unique opportunity of participating in eleven state tournaments in Hockey and Baseball as an assistant and head coach at Bemidji High School. This, along with serving my country in the Marine Corps, are some of the most memorable moments in my life. I was one of the builders of two programs in Bemidji and Rosemount High Schools with countless hours spent in the youth programs and building rinks. I am equally proud of building the Greenhaven outdoor rink in Hibbing, MN with my father, Dominic Grillo and neighbor, Matt Berklich in 1954. This rink continues to be the foundation and cornerstone for young players to develop, providing that basic psychological need for young people having a quality place to hang out and have fun.
We've had the opportunity to rub elbows with people who have an unbelievable net worth. We're convinced that they have no more net worth than Dominic and Doris Grillo. All the money in the world would never replace their old fashion value system. Their "quiet gift of giving" has provided opportunities for countless young men and women to form relationships, create memories and develop their philosophy of life at the Greenhaven Rink. We can't think of a healthier atmosphere. "This environment is why I am doing what I do. Ironically the formal education my parents thought I needed so badly had less to do with my present position in life than their old fashioned value system and that warming shack with the pot belly stove. The education opened some doors and I am grateful for that.
"My parents epitomize the foundation of our country. They are two very special human beings who feel they were put on this earth to serve others and they have been exceptional in devoting their lives to that cause. Unfortunately there aren't many like them around anymore. This is why our country and so many communities are going to suffer." I dedicate this award to them.
My career in high school was cut short because of my aspirations to be part of the NHL, a life long dream. I chose to have what now amounts to a twenty-five year NHL career in management, scouting and development. We forever remind our players to set their aspirations high, so our players understood when I chased my dream in the same manner I asked them to chase their dreams. Personal and professional growth has always out weighed winning and losing.
Like so many others, I have been blessed with a wife, (Clairene) and children (Rob, Chas, Tracy, Denise, Rachel and Dino) who empowered me to chase my dreams. I am forever grateful to my coaching partners, players and parents I had the opportunity to work with. I am indebted to people like Jim Smalley, Horace May, Con Murphy, Des Sagedahl, Jim Lundbohm, Charlie Brown and Bryan Grand as my partners in high school sports.
People like Craig Patrick, Larry Ross, Herb Brooks, George Gund, Greg Malone, Jack Blatherwick and Dan Summers went out of their way to help me advance in the game. Players have a way of "making your career" and that is exactly what happened to me. I had memorable experiences with the likes of Gary Sargent, Earl Sargent, Bill Israelson, Bill Himmelright, Keith Hanson, Andy Kannenberg, Tom Reise, Mike Langley, Ernie Blackburn, Ralph Lovering, Jon Quisgard, Mark Manney, the Howe brothers, Eigner brothers, John Buckanaga, E.J. Demery, Tom Forsythe, Rob Grillo, Dino Grillo and so many others. Doc Delcastillo joined us in his sophomore year and remains a loyal friend and colleague after all these years. My memories also include the countless number of coaches, most still active in the game today, that I've had the opportunity to work with during the summer months. It has been gratifying to see them move on and up in the game. Then there are all the draft picks over the years that remain a part of my life. There are all those with longevity at our Minnesota Hockey Camps. Chuck Whalen, Pat Funk, Doc, Roby and Dino devoted over twenty five summers to kids and enjoy doing it, while others continue to return for short periods.
While working with the NHL over the past twenty-five (25) years, I have maintained my obligation and responsibility to Minnesota players from Mites to the Professional levels. "We have been able to play a significant role in many lives though our friendship, teaching, guidance, discipline, uniqueness, unbiased beliefs and unconditional love and respect for the players we come in contact with." Our Minnesota Hockey Camps resort and training center, founded with Coach Herbie Brooks, continues to be one of the most widely recognized training camps in the hockey world. We are an extension of amateur and professional programs world wide, with our grass roots in Minnesota.
Starting with the early years, we have never been involved in the game for personal recognition. We continue to believe that every student/athlete needs three (3) to six (6) mentors outside of their immediate family and we have filled that void for thousands of young people and support staff. Our passion and love for the game, and development, has not wavered over the past forty (40) years. We have been involved in summer development for nine (9) or ten (10) weeks during every one of those years.
Those early years had some unique and talented individuals like Wes Bolin, Al Rice, Don Brose, Frank Serratore, Bob Gernander, Mike Antonovich, Whitey Aus, Dave Morninville, John Sumner John Perpich, Bob Motzko, Craig Dahl, Dean Blais, Dick Emhiser, Jack Blatherwick, Mike Polich, Tom Saterdalen, Tom Osiecki, Lyle Miller, Bob O'Connor, Kevin Constantine and Mark Kaufman. This staff learned a lot from each other and they are very well recognized in the hockey world.
Living away from home provides an element of growth that all people need as they develop both professionally and socially. Summer camps offer the unique opportunity to make lasting memories while fostering lifelong friendships, self-reliance and leadership skills.
Young people need to nurture outgoing skills to express their talents, and our camp is committed to meeting that goal while emphasizing the development of better hockey players and better people.
All families need resources to reinforce values learned at home, and it’s vital for young people to broaden their circle of friends beyond their neighborhoods and schools. Camps are where young people learn to discover, develop and critique their skills and abilities and are an important step towards a well-rounded adulthood.
The percentage of young people attending residence camps is far too low considering the unparalleled values gained through such an experience. Our camp is looking for corporations and/or individuals that are generously willing to provide that chance for those who cannot afford to do so.
Success happens to those who are willing and able to prepare for opportunity. Everyone has one or more unique skills. Cultivate them!
Working in the game and owning a camp gives me a reason to celebrate an imperfect life, one where I know in my own mind I could have been a lot better person and a lot better player. I know that this award gives me a reason to celebrate my life and our contribution to society. We celebrate every success story where we played a small to significant role in a person's success.
I have an internal wealth I can take with me forever. This gives me (and us) Peace of Mind.
We measure our success in the 8 x 10's we could hang on the walls of our camp. If we had a picture of every success story in hockey and in life, the walls at MHC would be richly enhanced. We have been able to play a significant role in many lives though our friendship, teaching, guidance, discipline, uniqueness, unbiased beliefs and unconditional love and respect for the players we come in contact with.
I worked at being a good mentor capable of creating awareness, exposing blind spots and showing players what it takes to go to another level and be a pro. Telling players what they don't want to hear is my way of telling them I care about them. When you work with a player, they become a part of your life forever. Love and respect is a two way street. There are two winners or no winners. Nurturing young people makes life worth living and it is also a privilege that we do not take for granted.
We believe every young player should dream of playing in the NHL. Take a sampling of 100 players whose goal is to be an NHL player. Take another sampling of 100 whose goals are to play college. I believe you will have more people make the college team out of the NHL sampling group than the college-sampling group if the talent levels are similar. "Dare to dream while thinking big! While determination ultimately determines the fate of your dream, you can always become more realistic as time evolves."
The great mentors deal with life. Young people relate to people with a passion for the game. My passion for the game has giving me the opportunity to make a life out of hockey. Winning is the end result of developing a foundation about life, the person and bottom line qualities that make a difference. Why is it that people remember the coach more than the teacher? Is it because the teacher spends less time in settings where there is hard work, adversity, winning, losing, laughing, crying and emotional roller coasters? We believe it is. We believe that these situations create more bonding and have much to do with scoring big intellectually over the long haul.
We all share one basic psychological need; "We want to be recognized and liked for our effort and things we do well." Coaches, players, parents and fans share this common bond. I thank the coaching fraternity for recognizing me in time for my parents to enjoy one more good thing in life.
