Galambos honoured with Lipinski memorial award

The Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association announced on Tuesday that the 45th annual Darren Lipinksi Memorial Award winner is Cal Galambos.

The award is presented to an individual for outstanding contribution to softball in Saskatoon.

Galambos began coaching softball 35 years ago in the Pacific Heights Community Association. He soon became Pacific Heights Softball Co-ordinator and was responsible for co-ordinating 32 teams as well as an annual tournament with 80 or more teams.

When he moved to the Dundonald area, he began coaching teams in that neighbourhood. He eventually moved into coaching adult softball and has been head coach of the Solar Eclipse (formerly called the Erical Eclipse) for the last 16 years.

During his early years with the Eclipse, Galambos saw the need for a provincial tune-up tournament. It came to be known as the Erical Eclipse Tournament, and it gave women’s teams in the Intermediate B, Senior C and Midget B categories a competitive softball tournament prior to the provincial championships. The tournament lasted for 10 years.

Galambos joined the SASA executive five years ago and now co-ordinates the Saskatchewan North Central Softball League tournament. He has been a very active part of SASA hosting committees for 10 years and has been transportation director for the last five years. Overall, he has volunteered for 15 national or international events.

At one point or another, Galambos has coached all three of his daughters — Heather, Chelsea and Megan — at various levels and age groups.