Time flies when you’re having fun. Eastern Ohio natives and Bethany College products John Ciszewski and John Kapral can certainly relate.

The two are celebrating 30 years in high-profile administrative positions with the Detroit Pistons.

At a recent surprise gathering, both were honored by the NBA club for three decades of superior work.

“I remember getting an internship (with the Pistons) in 1978,” Ciszewski recalled. “I phoned home (to Shadyside) and told dad, if it didn’t work out, I’d be home within a year.”

Not only have things worked out, Ciszewski has grown along with a franchise, today generally recognized among the most successful in all of professional sports. “I feel like I arrived at a good time,” Ciszewski observed. “We were in the process of blazing new trails and building a historic tradition.”

Kapral, who came aboard shortly after Ciszewski informed him of a potential opening with the Pistons, has also served a long-running front office tenure.

“It’s been a marvelous journey and one I feel fortunate to have made alongside my good friend,” Kapral remarked.

It was the summer of ’78 and the Pistons were in the process of moving out of their longtime downtown facility, Cobo Hall, for the spacious Pontiac Silverdome.

“(The Pistons) hired Dick Vitale as head coach. He came to us from the University of Detroit,” Kapral noted. But the personable Vitale wasn’t the answer. Detroit experienced several lean years during the late 70s and early 80s before the franchise made, perhaps, it’s most dramatic move, bringing in highly-regarded Chuck Daly who took over in 1983.

“That was the beginning of a new era,” Ciszewski related. By then, the Pistons had a hot shot guard out of Indiana by the name of Isiah Thomas who helped Detroit reach new heights.

Under the adept ownership of Bill Davidson who purchased the team during the 70s, and Daly’s savvy knowledge of the game, the Pistons built the foundation for what was to become a historic transformation as an NBA power.

“Before 1987, we had never reached the Conference finals,” Ciszewski reported. “All that changed with players the caliber of Thomas, Adrian Dantley, John Salley, Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn and Joe Dumars.”

The Pistons dropped an amazing seven-game series to Larry Bird and the Celtics, but the stage had been set for a glorious run during the end of the decade of the 80s.

Twice the Pistons captured NBA titles, winning in both 1988-89, then defending that crown a year later. “We had the luxury of having — not only great athletes on the floor — but great people off the floor,” Kapral explained. “Those are special, rare years you treasure forever.”

Ciszewski and Kapral, who joined the franchise as a young, inexperienced duo in the professional field, grew along with the ball club.

Both have elevated high in the team’s front office. Today, Ciszewski is Executive Vice President of Sales while Kapral is Senior Director of Corporate Sales.

“No two days are ever alike, believe me,” Ciszewski stressed. “That’s what so neat about working (in this environment). It’s been such a great ride. You meet so many terrific people as well as world-class athletes.”

The Pistons went 14 years between championships before well-traveled Larry Brown was named head coach in 2003. That hire resulted in a third world title.

Today, the team continues as perennial title contender and is currently facing a 2-1 deficit in an opening round series against the 76ers.

Both Ciszewski and Kapral were honored by Davidson’s presence at the recent recognition event. “Mr. Davidson (85) has not been feeling well and has been unable to attend many games this season,” Kapral advised. “John and I were very moved and honored by his appearance.”

HOOP SCOOPS

DURING Ciszewski and Kapral’s tenure, the Pistons have achieved record sellout streaks at their ongoing home the past 19 seasons, the Palace of Auburn Hills. The team owns a current 228-game streak, filling all 22,076 seats. During the title-running years, the Pistons achieved 347 straight sellouts…

BEFORE moving to the Palace, the Pistons established an all-time single game attendance record at the Silverdome when 62,000-plus attended a playoff game vs. Boston….

CISZEWSKI is especially proud of ownership’s 2004 trifecta when the Pistons, WNBA’s Detroit Shock and National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning each achieved championships….

KAPRAL is the brother of Times Leader Managing Editor Robert “Bubba” Kapral….

Gibson can be reached at rgibson@timesleaderonline.com