Bertogliat Inducted Into Hall of Fame

Wes Vork-NSO

April 12

Kerry Rodd-NSO

ST. CLOUD – Former Esko athletic director Julian Bertogliat was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Athletic Administrators Hall of Fame last Friday in St. Cloud. Bertogliat becomes only the second local AD to be named to the Hall of Fame, the first to receive such an honor was former Cloquet Athletic Director Rollie Bromberg back in 1997.

“I am proud and honored to be recognized by such a great organization,” said Bertogliat.

Ceremonies were held on April 9 in St. Cloud to honor this year’s recipients. Bertogliat was AD in Esko for 27 years and continues to be involved as the executive secretary for Region 7A from 2003 through the present. Bertogliat retired as AD in Esko in June of 2000.

As a coach and AD, Bertogliat has seven state championships to his credit as well as a large number of sectional championships. During his tenure, Bertogliat helped to establish a partnership with St. Mary’s Medical Center and the Duluth Clinic to provide an Orthopedic Surgeon as team doctor and a certified athletic trainer for Esko High School. It is the 20th year of the partnership and it was the first hospital, clinic, high school partnership in the United States.

“Bert’s impact on Esko High School athletics is evident in the success of the programs today,” stated current Esko AD Chad Stoskopf. “He is passionate about the community of Esko and has dedicated his life to creating opportunities for student athletes in our region.”

Bertogliat also coached football for 22 years and track for 20 years while at Esko in addition to serving on the MSHSL football realignment committee, the MSHSL Hockey Class System realignment committee and the MSHSL Basketball Tournament Review committee. In other words: when help is needed, Bertogliat is there to lend a hand.

Among his many accomplishments was being named the MN AAA Athletic Director of the Year in 1999.

“Julian has been very actively involved in countless ways in our community,” stated Rod Johnson former basketball coach and teacher at Esko. “Even as a retired teacher, athletic director and coach he still currently stays active as a school board member, still giving his very best, as always, to the youth and residents of our community.”

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com