January 5, 2012 Two Years Ago, in 2009, Aaron Hired Tom Maystadt As His Assistant
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Page 3 - The Manning Ia, MONITOR, Thursday, January 5, 2012 Two years ago, in 2009, Aaron hired Tom Maystadt as his assistant. He is a 1987 graduate of Carroll Kuemper and a very close friend to Aaron. Aaron Reflection Of Our Community had tried a couple of times to hire Tom, but the timing wasn’t right as he was by Dave Kusel - continued from last week growing his family. His wife Jennifer, a 1988 graduate of Carroll Kuemper, Upon graduation, Aaron moved to Arizona to work as a GA (Graduate is also a close friend to Aaron. Her family owns IPAC (Iowa Popcorn and Assistant) at Arizona State University, working mainly with Track and Field. Concessions) in Breda and makes the best popcorn, Snappy. After his first semester, the Phoenix Suns asked Aaron to help them out during Working with the Suns has allowed Aaron to travel all over the country the 1993 playoffs (the year they played Michael Jordan and the Bulls for the and the world. He has gone to Germany, Italy, Mexico, Canada, China, and NBA Championship). In the summer, between school, Aaron worked for the Slovenia for training camps, competition, and ‘Basketball Without Borders.’ Arizona Sandsharks (pro indoor soccer) and the Phoenix Smash (pro Team Aaron has developed some great relationships with both current and former Tennis—Jimmy Connors was on their team), both owned by the Suns. During NBA players and coaches. Working with athletes like Steve Nash, Grant Hill the Finals in Chicago, their owner, coach, and VP of Basketball called Aaron to and Shaquiille O’Neal has been unforgettable for Aaron. the front of the bus and asked if he would like to do this full time. They would find a replacement to cover the arena teams that Aaron had been working with. Aaron shows Coach Robert Cast an ankle After getting permission from ASU to leave his GA position, Aaron joined the mobilization technique. Suns as the assistant athletic trainer. Unfortunately, Jeff Hornacek had been traded before the start of that season Aaron wrapping the ankle. to Philadelphia for Charles Barkley, so Aaron never got to work with him. Jeff was a huge influence Aaron’s life. While Jeff and Stacy (Aaron’s sister) were dating in college, he would come back to Manning to watch Aaron in some of his sporting events, both in junior high and high school. “I know he had better things to do, but it meant a lot to have his support and encouragement. He was a role model to me and had a positive impact and part in molding me into the person I am today, both personally and professionally. You honestly won’t find a better person than Jeff. He and Stacy started dating their sophomore year of college and got married a few weeks before he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns.” Here is a list of head coaches Aaron worked with as the assistant athletic trainer; Paul Weshphal, Cotton Fitzsimmons, and Danny Ainge. As the head athletic trainer, Aaron’s head coaches were Scott Skiles, Frank Johnson, Mike D’Antoni, Terry Porter, and Alvin Gentry. The first player Aaron taped was Charles Barkley. Some of the other Airport in Slovenia, which was formerly a part of Yugoslavia. players that Aaron said he was fortunate to work with were Dan Majerle, Aaron’s duties with the team involve assessing, treating, and rehabbing Tom Chambers, Kevin Johnson, AC Green, Jason Kidd, Stephon Marbury, their athletes. He is also in charge of transportation logistics, including air Penny Hardaway, Steve Nash, Joe Kleine, Rex Chapman, Amare Stoudemire, travel and hotels. Aaron handles per diem (money given to players and staff Joe Johnson, Grant Hill, and Shaquille O’Neal. There were about 300 other when they are on the road), player tickets (both home and road), league injury players, but Aaron just wanted to list a few. reporting, and normal day in and day out events of their team. The main aspect of Aaron’s job is keeping the players on the court and able to play. Sounds Aaron reflects, “We have made the playoffs 14 out of 18 years that I have Aaron demonstrating how to test the strength of the gluteus medius (butt) pretty simple, but it is actually somewhat complex. Fortunately, Aaron has been with the team. Going to the finals in 1993 was my first major highlight. muscle with Coach Brad Benton. Negotiating my first contract as the head athletic trainer was also very been doing it a long time and has a very good system in place. memorable. It was done in Salt Lake City during summer league in 2000 with our then General Manager, Bryan Colangelo. Negotiating my last contract (a year ago) with our owner was also very memorable. I have always negotiated with the GM, but this one was a little more difficult and had to be done with our owner, whose background is banking and real estate (gives me an unfair advantage, right?).” “Once we reacquired Steve Nash, we went on to go to the Western Conference Finals 3 out of 6 years. In 2009, I was named the 2009 Joe O’Toole NBA Athletic Trainer of the Year. It was great to have a lot of family to see me presented with the award, including my two young boys.” First Communion - Back: Mrs. Iola Muhlbauer, Monsignor David Walker, Mrs. Rose Ann Nulle; Third: Kerry Bauer, Brian Eischeid, Dan Renze, Nate Bandow, John Wittrock; Second: Danny Qualters, Mike Zubrod, Aaron Nelson, Scott Kerkhoff, Kelly Croghan, Cory DeBoth; Front: Lisa Irlbeck, Kay Wieland, Sue Gruhn, Nicole Enenbach, Jackie Hinners, Michele Irlbeck, Jeff Lampman 1988 MHS classmates: Kay Wieland, Aaron Nelson, Jackie Hinners Aaron reflects back on Manning, “Growing up in Manning is something Holding a KIA Veteran’s medals that has been an important and positive part of my life. The people that I Have you looked at a Veteran’s medals? Were you allowed to hold them? have made relationships with back then, last to this day. I received a great Most Veterans are humble and few put their military medals and honors education, was able to play several sports, and we didn’t have to lock the doors on display but keep them private. They don’t want someone to think they are to our house or car. I love coming back and enjoying the blue skies, farm land, bragging or that people should feel beholding to them. brick Main Street, and all of the friendly people. I hope Manning can continue There is nothing wrong with this but we all need to encourage our Manning to grow and be a positive place for all of those who get to live or spend time area Veterans to document their service in the Manning Veterans’ history book there. Honestly, I wouldn’t change any part of my time in Manning and thank - the facts are not bragging! my mom for letting us grow up in such a great community.” Many of you may have seen a Purple Heart. Some of you may have held Aaron would like to finish his story with his favorite quote and all around someone’s medals. good advice: “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. But it really hits home when you hold someone’s medals, scan their pictures, Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, letters, and memorabilia - realizing they died serving our country. can become great,” Mark Twain. Fortunately John Detlefsen, nephew of Heinz, has kept these wonderful During the August 20th Manning Wellness Rally, Aaron provided treasures of Heinz’s service and let me scan them. information and tips on proper care of athletes and ankle wrapping to the local This “Reflection of our community” Monitor article has become quite IKM-Manning coaches on the mezzanine at the high school in Manning. lengthy but with today’s 10 second sound bite mentality, which many times distorts the facts, I think we need to take more time to truly understand the facts and stories about our citizens. We need to “slow down the world” once in a while and appreciate more of the things and people around us - especially our Veterans. Now we begin with Heinz Detlefsen’s story. Heinz W. “Cotton” Detlefsen, ASN 0-757961, 1st Lieutenant, was inducted into the Army Air Force in January 1943. He took three months of training at Santa Ana, California, and then began pilot primary training at Ryan Field, Hemet, California, logging eighty-five hours flying a Ryan PT 22. He took his pilot basic training at Minter Field, Bakersfield, California, logging eighty hours in a BT13A. Heinz took his pilot advanced training at Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona, Back: Jay Dreyer, Keith Wagner, Cory McCarville, Brad Benton, Gene logging ninety hours on the AT-9, AT-6 and the RP 322. Upon completing Rasmussen; Front: Floyd Forman, Robert Cast, Aaron Nelson, Beth Hagedorn, his training at Williams Field he received his commission and silver wings. Joy Gross He was then assigned to the 444th and later the 329th Fighter Squadrons at Hamilton Field, Concord, California, flying P-39s. Aaron Nelson (left) receives the NBA Athletic Trainer of the Year Award Heinz was transferred to England on May 1, 1944, arriving at Wattisham before a home game in Phoenix. RAF base near Ipswich, England, on May 14, 1944. As a fighter pilot he logged The biggest highlights for Aaron, probably surprisingly, came in 1998 260 hours of combat with the 479th Fighter Group, 435th Fighter Squadron, during the last NBA lockout.