WESPYs honour local heroes
Three volunteers given Knobby Knudsen award for tireless work outside the lines
Tuesday’s 13th Annual Windsor Essex Sports Person’s of the Year (WESPY) Awards did more than just celebrate athletic achievement at the Caboto Club.
The event also recognized those that continue to give back to sports outside of the playing field.
“You don’t do these things to get awards or recognition,” said Egidio Mosca, who was one of three people to pick up Knobby Knudsen volunteer of the year awards. “I was pretty shocked and it’s a pretty big honour.” Former Montreal Expos infield prospect Bob Daragon, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago, received the courage and determination award.
“I’m very humbled,” said Daragon, who played for the Windsor Chiefs back in the ’80s. “I think it’s a tremendous honour and the support and recognition I’m receiving through this is really very helpful.”
While the 59-year-old Daragon is dealing with the disease in his own way, he’s also out trying to help others come to grips with it. “I’m out there more than ever in some ways,” Daragon said. “Dealing with it first, yourself, and then encouraging others to participate in things available to them.
“Initially, it was me trying to deal with coming out and letting people see what they will see when looking at me. Now, it’s how I can help others who go through the stage of emotions and turn something into a positive. Hopefully, some good will come from it for others.” While Mosca grew up playing soccer in the area, he turned to volunteering with the Caboto Specials organization 30 years ago and has been lending a hand since.
“I think it’s important for kids to understand that not everything in life is about receiving,” the 44-year-old Mosca said. “Sometimes, you have to give back.”
And he’s more than done his share over the years — as has Jim Morgan of the Windsor Clippers and Sandwich high school’s Melanie Cardinal, who also picked up volunteer awards. Mosca is president of Caboto soccer, which has some 650 players competing on 44 travel teams. He also serves as treasurer for two other organizations that field 850 players. He’s served as a convenor and there are times he’s out painting lines on fields or mowing the grass.
“All the glory stuff,” Mosca said. On top of that, he coaches his son’s travel team, his daughter’s travel team, along with another travel team that was without a coach.
“That was four years ago,” Mosca said. “I said I’ll see if I can fit it in and it’s great having them as part of my family. It’s certainly like a second job, but I love doing it.”
After winning the award last year, triathlete Lionel Sanders shared the male athlete of the year award on Tuesday with Windsor Clippers lacrosse captain Andrew Garant.
On the women’s side, Karlie Moore, who runs track and field at Sandwich high school and with the Border City Athletics Club, was named female athlete of the year.
Former Windsor Spitfires head coach Rocky Thompson was named coach of the year after
leading the team to the 99th Memorial Cup title, while Spitfires co-owner John Savage won the executive of the year award for guiding last year’s Memorial Cup committee.
The Holy Names Knights, who won the OFSAA West Bowl title by beating the No. 1-ranked high school team in the country, earned the team of the year honour, while Knights head coach Rob McIntyre won the sports community service award. Windsor Lancers softball player Amanda Simke won the captain’s leadership award, while Eddie Chittaro and Marilyn Holland picked up legacy awards.