Nov. 14, 2007

As the Sports Information Director at Northern Michigan University, Dave Faiella handles everything from player interviews to statistics to the Wildcats' athletic website. Having so many responsibilities can often be stressful, but he's found a unique way to relax and re-charge that has nothing to do with hockey. In his own words, Faiella talks about his adventures touring the globe.

On The Road
By Dave Faiella

Being the Sports Information Director at Northern Michigan University is very challenging and very rewarding at the same time. I take care of the publications, statistics, notes and the website. I don't have the luxury of a full-time assistant, plus I handle the tasks for all sports. Unlike at a bigger school where each Sports Information Director might handle two or three sports, at Northern Michigan, it is all my responsibility.

I knew when I got into the profession that it would include long hours and many weekends, but I really don't mind. I have now spent nearly 20 years in the profession. I enjoy the interaction with the student-athletes and coaches. I enjoy seeing a raw freshman enter school and leave four or five years later grown and mature. It is very gratifying to see former student-athletes succeed in the real world after they leave college.

At times the job does get grueling, especially from October through November when there is overlap between football and the rest of the fall sports, including hockey and basketball. Plus, the second semester of activities is fast approaching. I do get a little weighed down, but I have found a way to re-charge my batteries.

For the past couple of years I have taken a foreign trip every year. My sister was killed in a car accident when she was 15 years old. I realized that life is short and I decided that I wanted to get out and see the world before time runs out. It all started with my 40th birthday present to myself. I went to Australia for two weeks in 2001. It was a wonderful experience scuba diving and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, along with just cruising around the country. That is the way I like to travel, where ever the road takes me that day is where I go. I am already planning to go back to Australia for my 50th birthday in a couple of years.

Besides Australia, the other stops on my world tour have included Spain, Italy, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, England and France. It is a unique experience to explore other cultures. I have met many interesting people on each journey, which is just part of the travel experience. Food is also a big part of the foreign cultures. The food and wine in Italy has been the best I have ever had. I have had many interesting things to eat from kangaroo in Australia to chicken and fish in Costa Rica that was prepared with the different spices of the region.

Since my trip to Australia, I have also taken up surfing. I attended an adult surf camp outside San Diego in 2002 and I have been hooked ever since. I know that I am not very good, but I just go out into the ocean and have fun. A surfer once told me that a bad day of surfing is better that a good day at work. I go to California once a year just to surf. I like to go to the San Diego area or Huntington Beach in Orange County.

My travels in the United States have included up and down the East and West Coasts, Texas, Florida and the Carolinas. My two favorite places in the U.S. are New York City and San Diego.

Last summer, I was scheduled to go to Brazil, but when I got to the airport I found out that I did not have the proper visa to get into the country and I had to re-schedule the trip. I am now going to Brazil for Christmas this year. It will be a little different to spend Christmas day in Rio, but it will be summer there at that time and I plan to hang out at the beach and re-charge for the second semester. This summer I think I am going back to Europe to explore the area around Amsterdam to gear up for the upcoming 2008-09 school year. I do not want to look back 20 years from now and think `I should have done this or that' because by then it would probably be too late.