They make sports special for a lifetime
Hockey royalty recently regaled more than 700 attendees at the 32nd annual City of Hamilton Sport Volunteer Appreciation Dinner: a celebratory evening in partnership with SportHamilton honouring coaches, administrators, and officials.
All heroes to our kids. And, our grandkids.
Goaltender Sami Jo Small, the two-time Canadian Olympic gold medallist and five-time World Champion, shared her journey to Olympic gold. Learning to overcome disappointment. Remembering to encourage. Focusing on team — not on herself — when not selected to be a starter were among the salient, poignant messages.
The decorated goalkeeper’s passionate delivery scored a standing ovation.
Major award winners included: 18-year-old Sir John A. Macdonald grad Faisal Noor Mohamed, recipient of the Youth Sport Volunteer Award for his selfless service to Neighbourhood Hoops; The Dr. Ray Johnson Coach of the Year Award was presented to David Del Conte (Hamilton Victoria Curling Club) for a decade of service to “Little Rockers”; Dan Edwards was honoured with The Ray Lewis Community Service Award for his altruist commitment to HBA (Hamilton Basketball Association); Art Hughes East Hamilton Soccer Club received the Ron Foxcroft Fair Play Award for dedication to making the “beautiful game” fun and for leadership in training in-house referees; the Dr. Gene Sutton Club Excellence Award was merited to Rosedale Community Council – Youth Softball which emphasizes player development and fun; and the City of Hamilton Volunteer of the
Year Award was presented to Glenn Ostrosser who has devoted decades to kids on the baseball pitch.
Baseball is in Glenn Ostrosser’s blood. His uncle, Darrell Ostrosser, was a member of the 1965 Stoney Creek Optimist Little League team that made the finals of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., and who recently — along with his 1965
teammates — was inducted into the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame. And his Uncle Brian Ostrosser debuted in Major League Baseball with the New York Mets (1973).
On winning the big prize Ostrosser said, “It was a huge shock. Very emotional. Very humbling.” And worthy of a standing ovation. Just like the one Sami Jo Small scored.
Indeed a moving moment for Ostrosser, his family and especially for his 80-year-old mom who was in attendance.
When asked what keeps him going, without hesitation Ostrosser replied, “I enjoy trying to make the game of baseball fun for kids. But the thing I enjoy most is when players run into me years later and they remember me. They talk about the fun times they had while growing up playing baseball. And they say thanks.”
Ostrosser emphasized. “The thank you is the greatest reward.”
And two more Hamilton Hero Banners were unveiled during the celebratory evening: Kim Ribble-Orr and Murray Oliver (posthumously) — both Hamilton born — join 49 other Hamilton Heroes banner honourees. Among past distinguished Hero banner inductees: NHLers and Hockey Hall of Famers DaveAndreychuk and Harry Howell; Pat Quinn who orchestrated Canada (2002) to Olympic gold in men’s hockey (its first in 50 years); three-time Olympic swimmer Joanne Malar; pro basketballer Bobby Croft (drafted by Red Auerbach’s Boston Celtics); fourtime CFL Outstanding Canadian and CFL Hall of Famer Russ Jackson; twice Olympic bronzed soccer player Melissa Tancredi; and “Rapid” Ray Lewis Canada’s first Black (and Hamilton born) Olympic medallist (1932 – bronze 4 x 400m relay) but, to name a few.
Ribble-Orr distinguished herself as a world class judoka.
In 2000 ,she was named to Canada’s Olympic team. Like the evening’s honourees Ribble-Orr now shares her passion for judo as a coach-mentor.
And indeed it was a banner year for Hamilton-born Murray Oliver.
Oliver (who died at age 77 in 2014) was among the distinguished Class of 2018 recently inducted into The Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame.
The former Hamilton Tiger Cubs’ NHL career spanned almost 20 years.
Post his playing career, he too shared his love for the game by coaching.
The Hamilton Heroes were once youngsters coached by committed volunteers.