COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Dan Migala is a sports celebrity.
You won't find him on the pitching mound for minor league baseball's Lake Elsinore Storm, quarterbacking the Chicago Bears, in goal for the Boston Bruins, or playing safety for The Ohio State University.
But Migala's strategic game plan plays a key role for each franchise, along with as many as 100 more organizations and teams throughout professional and collegiate sports. Migala is a designated matchmaker - bringing organizations, sponsors and fans together to maximize the sports fan's experience.
On November 4, when the 37th New York City Marathon begins, Migala will be conducting another matchmaking experiment, but this time, he'll be doing it for his heart. The 26.2-mile run will most certainly benefit his health, but it is Migala's first love that will be the primary beneficiary of the feat.
Migala will be running for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's membership program, setting a goal to raise $100,000 in new memberships for the non-profit educational institution.
"Baseball, and the Hall of Fame in particular, has meant so much to me personally, that as I thought of a charity to run for, it dawned on me that this is the perfect opportunity for me to share my love of Cooperstown with my friends, family and colleagues," Migala said. "I want them to be a part of what I have experienced as a member, so that we can together share in my love for the Baseball Hall of Fame."
Migala founded and produces The Migala Report, a monthly electronic publication to help sports marketing executives chronicle the tough industry questions and sports marketing topics through best practice examples. As an author of three books and educator, his work has been the focus of academic and industry studies, providing marketers in a variety of fields a forum for discussion and a marketplace for the free trade of ideas. In his experiences as a member of the Hall of Fame program, Migala participated in Hall of Fame Weekend 2007 and has enjoyed a variety of special events through Museum.
Migala's love affair with Cooperstown was fostered at an early age, growing up in Chicago, with his mom a Cubs fan and his dad a White Sox fan. Gaining an appreciation for both franchises - through lean years - taught Migala the values of compromise and optimism, while balancing two distinctively different interests from his parents.
"I went to Cubs games during the week with my mom and White Sox games on the weekend with my dad," recalled Migala. "With interleague play, I root for the home team to win two out of three games. It's the only way to maintain loyalty around the dinner table."
Maintaining loyalties are just one of the subjects Migala has spent much time uncovering in 2007 as he finalizes his latest book, Dugout Wisdom, which features life-lesson stories from many notable baseball figures throughout history, including Hall of Famers George Brett, Rod Carew, Bob Feller, Monte Irvin, Ralph Kiner and Duke Snider. The book, scheduled for release on Father's Day 2008, pays tribute to the lesser known stories of baseball superstars who have a lasting memory from a personal triumph that fostered their future growth. The book also mentions the scout who signed each of the individuals profiled.
"Each player has taught me something that served as an instant purpose in their lives," Migala said. "Through this, I was able to see how they truly made sacrifices and overcame obstacles to pursue their dreams. In many ways, training for a marathon mirrors the personal development each subject overcame in becoming a baseball legend."
Migala hopes proceeds from the book will benefit the Museum, along with the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation. The book has already taught Migala critical lessons he uses daily.
"This process has shown me the need to focus and work on the things that don't come naturally to you," said Migala. "Recognizing the things you are good at, while recognizing - and acting - on the parts of process that you need to work at. Just as in baseball - use better discipline at the plate, better pitch selection."
For the NYC Marathon, Migala's goal is to finish the race, but not necessarily in a race against the clock. Drawing a parallel to an historic baseball game, Migala hopes the event is "timeless," while helping raise funds that can be used by the Museum primarily for educational programs and for the development of research related to scouts.
"The leaders of tomorrow have the ability to learn about lessons baseball teaches, and I'm very passionate about that process. There are very few common links for baseball players, but everyone remembers his scout. Unheralded, scouts take talented young men and turn them into household names through confidence and faith. I hope to continue to raise awareness about the role of scouts."
As Migala's training comes together for his second marathon - he ran the Chicago Marathon in 2002 - his planning includes every detail, some still in the works as he strives to make the experience truly representative of his passion for the game. Migala is hopeful to run the marathon wearing a Ryne Sandberg jersey - albeit in a specially designed fabric.
"Conceptually, seeing an athlete performing in late fall while wearing a Cubs jersey is something people are not accustomed to seeing," said Migala, with a smile. "Hopefully we'll be seeing Cubs jerseys in October and November this year."
