Wrestling community mourns Berman's passing

The Berman Board was one of the most treasured tournament championship awards a wrestler could earn.

Its chief designer and builder, Al Berman, died last week in Ontonagon, Mich., at the age of 70 from complications due to his battles with diabetes and heart disease. And with his passing, the wrestling community lost a great friend and one, who along with wife Sally, made a lasting impression on all of those who came into contact with the long-time Palatine High School English teacher and assistant coach.

"Long before these terrific computer-generated awards we give out now, Al used to make, by hand, these gorgeous, picture framed-sized plaques for the Berman Holiday Classic, and to walk away with one was something special," says Gerry O'Brien, who was assisted by Berman while head coach at Palatine and has known the Berman family for years, even visiting the Bermans at their summer home in the Upper Peninsula and later naming Al the godfather of his younger son, Kevin. "Those awards were classic Al, meticulously crafted, an outline of the state, the weight class (bracket) all in beautifully written calligraphy ... even making a few extra boards, just in case.

"That was Al. He just loved being around the kids, coaches, families and the sport, and both he and Sally would be one of the main attractions of our holiday tournament every year."

Berman, who retired from teaching in 1994, served as an assistant under four coaches while at Palatine, including Dave Torres, a former state champion at Yorkville High School, and now, District 211 Associate Superintendent for Business, who, along with his brother Mick, himself a three-time state medalist, are key figures on the wrestling scene as tournament directors, incuding the Berman Holiday Classic, which last December, celebrated its 55th anniversary, the oldest tournament in the state, after the IHSA individual state tournament.

"What always impressed both Mick and I was to watch the steady flow of visitors both Al and Sally would welcome and remember during the two days of the Berman Tournament," said Torres. "It would seem to go on forever, former wrestlers would bring their children to introduce, coaches, current and retired, friends of the program ... it would make you realize how much of an impression those two had made in and around the wrestling community, and make it clearer for Mick and I how fortunate we were to be a part of this great tournament every year, and to know them both."

Berman was named to the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2001, and was the IWCOA Assistant Coach of the Year in 1988.

O'Brien, who is the freshman coach now under former Palatine star and two-time state champion Dan Collins, says Berman was his ace-in-the-hole when it came to tournament seeding meetings.

"Al, along with Sally, kept these unbelievable records on all the kids, so when he spoke on any of the kids during the meetings, it would carry so much weight," said O'Brien.

The Berman Invite, officially same so in 1993 in recognition of the duo, has grown from an eight-team tournament, into what is now one of the elite two-day tourneys with nearly 30 teams competing.

"Mr. Berman was a great mentor and father figure to me while wrestling for him, and I still remember the big hug he gave me just moments after winning my state title in 1993, and how he would stay in touch with me in college by sending all of these funny quotes and sayings," said Collins.

"He was just a great man, and I'll miss him."

The Bermans made the Upper Peninsula their full-time residence when both retired from teaching, and they became local legends there almost immediately, according to O'Brien.

"Al was kind of a private guy, but both he and Sally jumped right into the local scene, taking charge of fund-raising for the high school and just always being involved in and around the town," O'Brien said.

"O'Brien said his wife Donna had been in touch with Sally, and knew of her husband's continued health struggles of late, but both he and Torres were still taken off guard by Al's death.

"It was hard to hear of (his) passing, but he leaves behind a great legacy, and the integrity, passion and thoughtful caring for others which make you realize what priorities in and of life mean," said Torres.

"What a big loss to the sport and all of us who came in contact with him all throughout the years."