The Millennium Mark
Ted Arzonico.
Does his name ring a bell? It might not to many Orlando Magic followers. But if you ask any of the 14 players on the roster, they'll tell you in a heartbeat why that name is so important.
Arzonico is the team’s athletic trainer, and has been for five seasons. Tuesday’s game vs. Golden State will be his 1,000th consecutive game. Yes, you read it correctly…1,000th consecutive game! Talk about longevity!
While he's been a staple for the Magic over the years, he's also been equally important to others across the league. Before joining the Magic in the 2000-2001 season, he spent eight years as an athletic trainer with the New Jersey Nets. During that time, Arzonico was selected as one of the trainers to work the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. Prior to his stint with the NBA, he served in the same capacity on the high school and collegiate levels.
Athletic trainers don’t usually get a lot of publicity. Some see them as the guys sitting at the end of the team bench, who run to the aid of a wounded player. But athletic trainers are probably one of the MOST important guys on a team. (Arzonico has a defibulator on hand, so he must be important.) They keep the players healthy. Whether it's something as simple as a scratch or a more serious ailment, the athletic trainer provides the “cure all.”
“I’m kind of like the mother/father figure on the road,” he says. “When someone gets a runny nose or a cold, I take care of that. I make doctor and dentist appointments and just keep everybody healthy.”
Arzonico, who knew his calling from his senior year in high school, enjoys being the “team dad” but admits to a few drawbacks to his position.
“While the best thing about my job is that no two days are the same and you meet different people who become friends for a lifetime, the worst thing is the amount of time I spend away from home and my two daughters,” he confesses.
One of those friends is Rodney Powell, the Magic’s equipment manager and travel coordinator. Powell had nothing but good things to say about Arzonico.
“Working with Ted is an adventure every day. He is very professional at his job and working with players, coaches and staff. He's a food connoisseur that loves to cook and eat, and is an avid fan of fire trucks and fire fighting memorabilia.”
Avid might be an understatement! He owns two fire trucks - not the toy models, but the real deal.
“Both [trucks are] 1954 bumpers,” he proudly admits. “We take them to shows where they are judged on appearance.”
In fact, the only thing that prevented Arzonico from becoming a New York City firefighter was that, as he puts it, “my mom would have disowned me.”
So he opted for his present career instead. And, although firefighting might have been his first love, the Orlando Magic is glad he decided against it.
Congratulations “Teddy” on your 1,000th game!
Deidre A. Frith is an intern in the Magic's communications department.
Does his name ring a bell? It might not to many Orlando Magic followers. But if you ask any of the 14 players on the roster, they'll tell you in a heartbeat why that name is so important.
Arzonico is the team’s athletic trainer, and has been for five seasons. Tuesday’s game vs. Golden State will be his 1,000th consecutive game. Yes, you read it correctly…1,000th consecutive game! Talk about longevity!
While he's been a staple for the Magic over the years, he's also been equally important to others across the league. Before joining the Magic in the 2000-2001 season, he spent eight years as an athletic trainer with the New Jersey Nets. During that time, Arzonico was selected as one of the trainers to work the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. Prior to his stint with the NBA, he served in the same capacity on the high school and collegiate levels.
Athletic trainers don’t usually get a lot of publicity. Some see them as the guys sitting at the end of the team bench, who run to the aid of a wounded player. But athletic trainers are probably one of the MOST important guys on a team. (Arzonico has a defibulator on hand, so he must be important.) They keep the players healthy. Whether it's something as simple as a scratch or a more serious ailment, the athletic trainer provides the “cure all.”
“I’m kind of like the mother/father figure on the road,” he says. “When someone gets a runny nose or a cold, I take care of that. I make doctor and dentist appointments and just keep everybody healthy.”
Arzonico, who knew his calling from his senior year in high school, enjoys being the “team dad” but admits to a few drawbacks to his position.
“While the best thing about my job is that no two days are the same and you meet different people who become friends for a lifetime, the worst thing is the amount of time I spend away from home and my two daughters,” he confesses.
One of those friends is Rodney Powell, the Magic’s equipment manager and travel coordinator. Powell had nothing but good things to say about Arzonico.
“Working with Ted is an adventure every day. He is very professional at his job and working with players, coaches and staff. He's a food connoisseur that loves to cook and eat, and is an avid fan of fire trucks and fire fighting memorabilia.”
Avid might be an understatement! He owns two fire trucks - not the toy models, but the real deal.
“Both [trucks are] 1954 bumpers,” he proudly admits. “We take them to shows where they are judged on appearance.”
In fact, the only thing that prevented Arzonico from becoming a New York City firefighter was that, as he puts it, “my mom would have disowned me.”
So he opted for his present career instead. And, although firefighting might have been his first love, the Orlando Magic is glad he decided against it.
Congratulations “Teddy” on your 1,000th game!
Deidre A. Frith is an intern in the Magic's communications department.
