Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics
throughout your life?
throughout your life?
Mike Savage: I enjoyed putting my best efforts forward with my teammates for the
common goal.
common goal.
D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school?
Savage: I went to UC Davis and competed in Track and Field specializing in the
Javelin. I graduated with a degree in Communication and minor in Education. After
college, I moved back to Napa and got involved with Niebaum-Coppola Winery (now
Inglenook) and have been there ever since.
Javelin. I graduated with a degree in Communication and minor in Education. After
college, I moved back to Napa and got involved with Niebaum-Coppola Winery (now
Inglenook) and have been there ever since.
D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Justin-Siena High?
Savage: While Bob Morrish's honors English would be an easy choice, I would say
that I really enjoyed Mrs. Birkmyer’s Human Physiology class. I enjoyed learning
about our bodies in that class.
that I really enjoyed Mrs. Birkmyer’s Human Physiology class. I enjoyed learning
about our bodies in that class.
D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Justin-Siena High?
Savage: I've had a lot of favorites between basketball with Coach (Tom) Bonfigli
and our soccer team at Justin. I think the favorite moment was, in our senior year,
finally beating Dixon at home with our first night game under the lights. I recall our
team really playing well and our German exchange student scoring a diving header
from a crossing pass to put the game away 2-0. That game put us into playoffs for
the first time in a long time at Justin. Beating Napa High in a preseason soccer
game that year was pretty nice too.
and our soccer team at Justin. I think the favorite moment was, in our senior year,
finally beating Dixon at home with our first night game under the lights. I recall our
team really playing well and our German exchange student scoring a diving header
from a crossing pass to put the game away 2-0. That game put us into playoffs for
the first time in a long time at Justin. Beating Napa High in a preseason soccer
game that year was pretty nice too.
D’Adamo: How much do you feel you have grown personally since graduating
from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics?
from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics?
Savage: I feel like I understand how good preparation puts you in a position for
success. Success isn't awarded, it is attained. I feel that within that mentality there
is the motivation for taking advantage of every chance you are given in life and to
enjoy the journey.
success. Success isn't awarded, it is attained. I feel that within that mentality there
is the motivation for taking advantage of every chance you are given in life and to
enjoy the journey.
D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people?
Savage: There are so many people in my family that have influenced me. I would
not be the person that I am without the influence and experiences from my rather
close family.
not be the person that I am without the influence and experiences from my rather
close family.
If there needs to be one major influence, it would be my father, Tom Savage. He
instilled a love of sports, a understanding of what a commitment means, and how
to be a gentleman. It would also be wise to mention that my father wouldn't have
been all of these things to me and others without the support of my mother, Michele.
instilled a love of sports, a understanding of what a commitment means, and how
to be a gentleman. It would also be wise to mention that my father wouldn't have
been all of these things to me and others without the support of my mother, Michele.
D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would
most like to meet.
most like to meet.
Savage: I'm going to place my faith in Larry Bird. I have always admired his
commitment to the sport and how he was as a competitor. I think we have a better
opportunity to learn from losses and I really admire how he demonstrated that within
the rivalries between the Lakers and the Celtics. I think he showed that you don't
have to enjoy losing, but you better have respect for your opponents in their victory.
commitment to the sport and how he was as a competitor. I think we have a better
opportunity to learn from losses and I really admire how he demonstrated that within
the rivalries between the Lakers and the Celtics. I think he showed that you don't
have to enjoy losing, but you better have respect for your opponents in their victory.
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