High school was even more fun.   Football, hockey, fastball, basketball, track and field, band, theatre, (which i wasn’t very good at), it didn’t really matter, I would participate in anything.   What great fun it was and what great friends I made. I’m so pleased that my high school friends are here tonight to accept this award with me.             

There are so may people in this community that helped me along the way.  Many of them have already been acknowledged by your organization, but I need to mention them all the same.         

Richard Asp, Howard Pearson, Bert Lerole and Andy McBladrie were all influential in my junior high days at Clear vista.  Their voluntary commitment of personal time to officiate in the gym at lunch hour or  to help us jump over the box horse was always there. They are truly special individuals. 

And how do I possibly thank Frank Lockheart, Ross MacEackern, Norm Brown, George Forsyth, and Al Arner for all of there encouragement. It is truly remarkable for me to remember all of the effort that was required simply so that all of us could play.  By the way George, our family would really like to know how Richard fell out of the balcony in the gymnasium. 

Play takes many forms, not just athletics. It also incorporates the arts and sciences, and yes; I was fortuante to paricipate in that as well. I want to also acknowledge the  great work that Harry Lomnes did with the high school band, that Bill Castleman did with the troubadours and with the drama club (although  sometimes he didn’t know what his motivation was) and the great work that Ken Graham did starting studio 209 for this community, and how about the chess club and year book. 

The most enjoyable times that I have had in sport has been as a volunteer, standing on the side of a mountain fixing gate poles for ten year-old skiers, umpiring and coaching little league baseball and girls’ fastball, being a marshall for a Provincial junior girls golf tournament and coaching minor league basketball.  

As you would expect, I want to pay tribute to my parents. Mum couldn’t be with us this evening but she was always the voice of reason in the family. (even thought we didn’t always agree).  She would tell dad that he was spoiling us, but she would never refuse to do the same. Of course dad would just smile and say yes. They  would both be so proud to be here tonight.  They would take us to public skating, to the Gwynne Ski Hill, to dance, music lessons or the swimming pool.  Whatever was required.  As you can tell I am very proud of my family. To Richard, Donna, Gaie and Margery – you are all uniquie and precious to me. 

I want to also acknowledge my children who are both quite accomplished athletes and of whom I am so proud.  My son, Kyle is now a fellow of the Banting Institute after completing his PhD at Cornell University.  He still plays golf to a very low handicap, but chose to focus on his academics.  My daughter Chelsea was a freshman All-American at Chicago State University and transferred to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio to complete her degree, and still plays to a low handicap. She has also completed in the 125 km “deathrace” by herself and continues to run ultra-marathons. 

I want to finish by saying that the most important thing this community did for me was to provide me with the opportunity to participate.  I never expected to become a star of any kind, I just wanted to play.   Keep it up. Thank you very much for this honour.