Nieto like a champ

CORONA DEL MAR — The words crackled through the phone on speaker mode — “You’re a great man, Augie. And, you’re special.” — reaffirming what most people in the room had known, even a pro hockey player meeting the man for the first time.

“[Augie Nieto] just seems to be the type of person who uplifts people,” said Detroit Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood, who brought the Stanley Cup to Nieto’s home in Corona del Mar Wednesday morning.

Cameras flashed as Nieto, 50, smiled with his son, Austin, Osgood and the Stanley Cup. The picture confirmed a fulfilled promise.

Those words that came through the phone were from Mike Ilitch, the Detroit Red Wings owner who met Nieto earlier this year and was so taken with him that he told him if his Red Wings ever won the Stanley Cup that it would come to his home.

Osgood came as well, as did local television reporters. Family and friends were there, not only to see the celebrated Cup, but also this man, who has inspired many since being diagnosed three years ago with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

They all walked in Nieto’s gorgeous home near the beach to see this man smile.

“Life is about adjusting to new realities,” said Jeff Moorad, chief executive of the Arizona Diamondbacks and a friend of Nieto’s. “Just as Augie has had to adjust his own way, those of us around him have adjusted to his new reality.

“For the first couple of years he didn’t use a wheelchair. Now he’s stuck in a chair and as his voice becomes harder to understand the smile communicates the most important message.”

Nieto and Moorad have known each other for more than 10 years, meeting within the Young Presidents Organization, a network for business leaders.

Nieto could be described as a unique entrepreneur. His story of financial success is intriguing, somewhat rags to riches.

He’s known as the co-founder of Lifecycle Inc., the cardiovascular bike that was prominent during the fitness craze in the 1980s.

Before it became popular, the company nearly went bankrupt, as Nieto sold just 11 bikes in nine months. But then he gave away the bikes, sending them to fitness centers because he believed in the product and that it would sell. Or maybe he was just desperate. Whatever the case, the company took off. By the time Nieto graduated from Claremont McKenna College in 1980, the company’s profit hit $500,000.

Nieto eventually sold the company when revenue reached $7 million a year, but still ran the business that transformed into Life Fitness, which went on to make nearly $200 million under his watch.

Three years ago, he went to work for a different company and was named chairman of Octane Fitness.

He’s been raising money for ALS in a businesslike manner, setting up Augie’s Quest with the hope that a cure for his disease will be found.

On his website, a goal of $18 million in 36 months is prominently displayed. Augie’s Quest has raised $14,541,255 in 28 months, according to the website.

“He’s been my hero since Day One,” said Austin Nieto, 22, who played football at Newport Harbor and at Claremont McKenna. “He’s inspiring. Any normal person [with ALS] would maybe hide in their house the rest of their life and just wait to die. That’s definitely not him.”

Austin, who is set to graduate with a degree in neuroscience in December, said he still deals with denial that his dad has ALS. When Austin first found out, he punched a hole through the wall in his dorm room.

The anger nearly consumed him, knowing that the life expectancy of those with ALS is three to five years. He also knew the disease would cripple his dad and take away his ability to talk.

But Wednesday, he wasn’t talking about that, only telling people how inspiring his father has been and how he’s determined to find a cure for ALS.

Perhaps the Stanley Cup was merely symbolic for Augie Nieto

“It feels like I’m a champion and part of a dynasty,” he said with the Stanley Cup on his lap, while wearing a Red Wings shirt and a hat signed by Osgood.

Mitch Albom — best known for his best-selling memoir “Tuesdays with Morrie,” which chronicles his favorite college professor’s struggle with ALS — smiled as he looked on.

Albom, a Detroit Free Press columnist who wrote the foreword for Nieto’s first book (“Augie’s Quest”), set up the initial meeting with Nieto and Ilitch. Nieto is working on a second book, “Reciprocity Incorporated,” which is about well-known philanthropists. The book is to include Magic Johnson, Ronnie Lott and Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz.

“Augie is a type of person who affects people in a positive way,” said Albom, who hugged Nieto when he entered his living room. “I saw this with Morrie [Schwartz, from Albom’s book ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’], and he was the same way when he had his ALS, people always around and him just inspiring everyone.”

Count Ilitch as one of those inspired. He couldn’t be at Nieto’s home but made sure to call him during the mayhem and celebration.

The two, with Austin interpreting, talked like old friends. They joked about ice cream that Nieto sent Ilitch and how they could go into business together, selling it.

“Why don’t we go into business together,” Nieto said. “When the two of us put our minds to it, we do amazing things.”

Ilitch responded: “That’s for sure. I got that feeling right away when we met.”

Then Ilitch, knowing that he was being heard by many, spoke to everyone: “This guy, I tell you, he’s something else. There’s nothing he can’t do.”

STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or by e-mail at steve.virgen@latimes.com.