Ed Hatch meets meets many vendors as part of his duties as Bucksport High School’s athletic director, but the one he met Wednesday, Gordon Gronkowski Jr., was a bit more memorable and caused a good deal of rubber-necking and buzz throughout the school.
“They were doing a double-take of ‘who is that guy,’ at the office and on the way out,” Hatch said of the oldest brother of New England Patriots Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski.
“There must have been two dozen kids peeking around corners,” he added.
Many others gathered in the lobby to watch Gronkowski’s exit.
Gronkowski went to Bucksport after communicating with Hatch via email and requesting a meeting to introduce Hatch to the family’s business, Gronk Fitness Equipment, founded by Gordon Gronkowski Sr. as G&G Fitness, which has evolved to its current format.
The business recently took over the distribution lines for Hammer Strength and Life Fitness and doing so prompted Gronkowski’s visit to several Maine locations, according to Hatch.
Hatch showed him Bucksport’s facilities and discussed what the business could offer during a 20-minute meeting in the school’s weight room.
“He was a great guy, very easy to talk to, and talked about the different types of equipment that fit within our budget and weight room,” Hatch said, adding that the 6-foot-6, 250-pound Gronkowski wasn’t quite as big as his younger brother (6-7, 265), but “was in very good shape and was brushing the doorways” when he entered a room.
Gordon Jr., 32, is the oldest of five brothers who all have undertaken athletic careers and stress the importance of training.
“They believe the key missing element [for athletes] is strength training and weight training to take you over the top as far as being a professional athlete,” Hatch said.
Gordon Jr. spent six seasons as a minor league baseball player before being sidelined by a back injury. Dan and Chris Gronkowski have each played a few NFL seasons, Dan as a tight end and Chris as a fullback, but both are now free agents, while youngest brother Glenn is a fullback at Kansas State.
Hatch said Gordon Gronkowski had been to several other sites in the Bangor area, as his business not only serves high schools, but several others such as colleges, health clubs, country clubs and corporations.
The company also offers a fundraising aspect, which appealed to Hatch, who is seeking more ways to raise funds after Bucksport was hit by the Verso paper mill closing in December. Some of the fundraisers are appealing because they are tied to memorabilia items signed by Rob Gronkowski.
Rob Gronkowski is in his sixth season with the Patriots and is again a key component in the team’s quest for a fifth Super Bowl title. He has caught 12 passes for 207 yards with two touchdowns in two games this season. He has 320 career receptions for 4,586 yards with 58 TDs.
