Domenic Fraboni: Unique Last Name, Complete Guy

Article reprinted courtesy of Fargo Forum and reporter Eric Peterson. Picture courtesy of Fargo Forum photographer Dave Samson.

Moorhead--Domenic Fraboni has heard nicknames ranging from a popular pizza topping to a machine that resurfaces ice because of his unique last name.

"Pepperoni" and "Zamboni" are two of the monikers the Concordia fullback has been called.

"I think part of it comes from no one is exactly sure how to say my last name," Fraboni said with a laugh.

"It can kind of go anyway you want."

The Cobbers senior has heard "Frabroni" with an extra "R." People have called him "Don" after they mishear his first name is Dom.

"We kind of mix up his name just to give him a little bit of hard time," said Concordia senior Alex McLean, who also plays fullback. "I always call him 'Don' in a funny voice. He embraces it."

Fraboni also embraces being one of the leaders for Concordia, which plays at

1 p.m. today at St. John's. The game is the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football opener for both. Both teams have 2-0 records.

"It's really important that we come out in this game and establish who we want to be in the MIAC this year," said Fraboni, tied for the team rushing lead with McLean at 116 yards through two games.

A team captain, Fraboni rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in last Saturday's 30-9 home win against Buena Vista (Iowa).

Fraboni also excels off the field. He's an exercise science major with a 3.80 GPA. He's a member of the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

He's an active volunteer for a number of causes, including the Special Olympics.

"He's probably one of the most all-around, complete guys that we've had," said Cobbers head coach Terry Horan. "He's Mr. Division III."

Fraboni said his mom, Lisa Fobbe, was a main influence on him being involved in a variety of activities. Fobbe is a field representative for U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn.

"I find that when I'm busy, I tend to manage my time the best," Fraboni said.

At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Fraboni likes playing fullback in Concordia's triple-option offense. "It puts you right in the center of the action," he said.

From Princeton, Minn., Fraboni took center stage numerous times in high school. He participated in multiple musicals, including "Beauty and the Beast," "Damn Yankees" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Fraboni also likes going to musicals and Broadway shows. "Rent" is one of his favorites.

"That's something my family always did together," said Fraboni, who took piano lessons from second grade until the start of his senior year in high school. "When people see me on the football field, they just wouldn't expect that."

Fraboni isn't the only person in his family with a unique first name. His father's name is Americo and his brothers' names are Gino and Angelo.

"Our names are a lot more Italian than we probably look," said Fraboni, who is one-quarter Italian, with a smile.