CHAMPIONS SPEAK - 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee Ross MacEachern - Athlete Builder
by Kristi Paukstat
Good evening! Tonight I have the pleasure of sharing
this evening with a room full of people who share a common
passion: to preserve and promote competition and
camaraderie through athletics in our community. Many people
can participate in a sport of their choice; some may even go
on to achieve greatness at higher levels. Fewer possess the
strategies and know-how to inspire others through mentoring
and coaching. These people seldom have additional time and
energy to commit to building athletic programs and
facilities that can stand the test of time. Our second
inductee tonight, Mr. Ross MacEachern, accomplished all of
these and more.
As many of you
are aware, Ross spent the vast majority of his career as a
phys.ed. teacher and coach right here at the high school in
Wetaskiwin. From 1988 through 1990, I had the honour of
being one of his many students. I recall Ross as an
energetic teacher with a great sense of humour, but most
importantly, he had a clear passion for competition. You
couldn’t help but share his enthusiasm for whichever unit he
was about to teach, be it badminton, basketball, or even
dance. Although my interests lied in volleyball and
swimming, he managed to talk me into representing our school
through golf and curling. He must have known what he was
doing because they are two sports that remain near and dear
to me today. Ross took a sincere interest in the well-being
of all of his students. He was happiest when sharing in
their progress, but was always there to console after their
defeats.
One of my most
vivid memories from high school was the anticipation and
excitement throughout the hallways as the canoe trip was
approaching; a yearly event that wouldn’t have happened
without Ross’s leadership and innovation.
In speaking
with some of his former students, who were also coached by
him, a common theme emerged. Ross always made time to work
with his students to get them prepared to compete at the
next level. He was generous with his expertise; and with
his vast experience he always knew how to help improve their
skills both mentally and physically. Ross grew athletes;
from swimming and gymnastics to track and field and
football!
Ross may have
come by some of his athletic prowess through the guidance of
his mother, Norma MacEachern, who was inducted into the
Sports Hall of Fame as an athlete in 2006. It appears her
lasting influence helped to create a wave of athleticism
throughout Ross’s family, including his children and
grandchildren.
Although Ross
and his wife Colleen spend winters away in Arizona, golfing
and enjoying retirement, the lasting mark of his
accomplishments are here to remind us daily.
It only takes
one person to show confidence in an athlete before they can
take it on themselves. Over the years, Ross must have
instilled thousands of students with the strength to reach
beyond their limits and strive for more. On behalf of every
student and teammate Ross has inspired and encouraged, I am
thrilled to be able to take this opportunity to recognize
him. Thank you, Ross, for making our community a better and
healthier place to call home.
