After 36 years in black and white, Mario Rengruber has concluded his long journey within Pallavolo Padova. A historic collaborator of the black and white club, he has lived through every evolution of the club, going through eras, managers, victories and profound changes. From the secretary of the youth sector to the role of referee for the first team, his presence has been a fixed point. In this interview, Mario retraces the most significant moments of a journey that began in 1989, between memories, anecdotes and gratitude in what, for him, was a second family.
What was the first step that led you to enter the world of Pallavolo Padova?
“I joined Pallavolo Padova in March 1989, thanks to Stefano Favaro, a former athlete of Petrarca Pallavolo and my work colleague. At that time, there was no secretary for the youth sector and he asked me if I wanted to get involved in this new experience. I had just stopped refereeing and I accepted with enthusiasm. From then on, a long journey began that lasted 36 years”.
Over the years, you have held various roles. How has your career in the company evolved?
“For many years, I held the role of secretary of the youth sector, until 2001. In the 2001-2002 season, I became responsible for the youth team, but in the meantime I never stopped taking care of the first team as a referee. In 2006, I had to leave for a few months due to an operation, but once I recovered, I returned, resuming that role.
