Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots June 16th Edition

By Hartley Miller

“This is my life”. ~Gaetano Mauro, 2006

The World Cup of Soccer (W.C.) features a world wide audience of casual, enthusiastic, diehard and fanatical fans. In a league of his own is long time soccer guru, Gaetano Mauro.

The 59-year-old Mauro believes he has attended more World Cups than anyone else from Prince George.

Mauro observed four consecutive tournaments including: Mexico (1986), his home country of Italy (1990), the U.S.(1994) and France (1998).

Each trip cost approximately $5,000 (airfare, hotel and game tickets, including one to the final that was purchased through a Vancouver agency). He desperately wanted to travel to Korea/Japan for 2002, but his daughter's marriage date conflicted with the tournament (how dare she?) so he stayed home. As a consolation, he went to Euro 2004 in Portugal, his first European championship. The expense of these trips finally caught up to Mauro, and as a result, he chose not to attend this year’s W.C. in Germany. 

If one thinks that watching the tournament on the tube pleases Gaetano, then think again: “It doesn't satisfy me watching on T.V.  I actually suffer when I watch the game on T.V. simply because I know the feeling of being in a stadium with the craziness, the atmosphere, the warm-up of the games and the after the games celebrations that take place. It's not the same. I go through it because I don't have no choice this time, but it's a real difficult thing for me to accept that”.

Soccer is not just a game, or an event, to Mauro. In 1960, shortly after arriving in Prince George, Gaetano and John Dasilva started the PG Youth Soccer Association with just two teams. Now, Mauro’s dream has been realized, “Look what we have today. We have 3000 kids. When I see that on the Saturday morning driving by Ospika, I feel pretty proud of that”. 

The long time goalkeeper would still love to play the game. However, Mauro’s playing career ended at the age of 55 when he shattered a finger during an indoor game. A life time of injuries and surgeries accumulated until it just wasn't worth it anymore. But, you'll never keep the semi retired Mauro away from the game as he continues to do technical work for the PGYSA, and conducts goalie clinics on Sundays. He also referees in a variety of leagues.

Mauro’s attention, until the July 9^th final, is strictly on the World Cup. He is picking Brazil, Argentina, Germany and either England or Holland in the final four. It is interesting that he left out the number two ranked team in the world, Czech Republic, who looked very impressive in its opener, a 3-0 victory over #5 United States. Mauro admits Brazil is not one of the stronger defensive teams, and feels that Germany still needs a couple of central defenders, but believes they could very well meet in the final.

Although finances are a concern, he plans to attend Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria. As well, he has already made arrangements to attend the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Yes, everyone has heard of Alcoholics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous. Well, Gaetano Mauro should be nominated for President of Soccer Anonymous. It's an addiction; one he would not have any other way.

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From the quote rack:

 “In a strange scene on Saturday during the PGA's Memorial, the cup on the 6th green had to be moved because someone had defecated in the hole overnight. Authorities are still trying to find whom to penalize for the illegal drop.”

Pete McEntegart of SI.com 

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"Ricky Williams, now with the Toronto Argonauts, said the CFL's caliber of play is 'comparable' to the NFL's, leading some to worry he had started smoking again."

Greg Cote of the Miami Herald

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"It doesn't do much for his budding NFL career, but the good news is that it makes him CFL eligible."

Bill Lankhof of the Toronto Sun, after Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick Santonio Holmes was arrested for disorderly conduct.

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"Federal agents wanted Jason Grimsley wired in any talks he would have had with Barry Bonds.
Jason explained that that's what the amphetamines found at his house were for.”

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California, after the Arizona Diamondbacks released a certain pitcher due to a steroid investigation.

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"If pitcher Jason Grimsley — career record 42-58 — was on the juice, should he demand refunds from his suppliers?"

Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

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"Like going to the Playboy Mansion with patches on both eyes."

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, to the New York Daily News, on how difficult it would be to keep his lips sealed during the NBA championship series against the Miami Heat.

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"I know Dominos is hard up for drivers, but this recruitment technique seems a little overboard.''

Brooks Melchior of sportsbybrooks.com, after Domino's Pizza announced it's the official pizza of the Michigan International Speedway.

And in case you missed it……..

The Florida Marlins total payroll this season is $14.6 million which is less than the amounts earned by major league baseball's 12 highest-paid players.

And how was your week?

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the
PG Free Press. Hartley's e-mail address is hmiller@94xfm.com

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