Feb 25

Written by: Alpine Admin
Thursday, February 25, 2010 

Posted 6 days ago in the Sault Star.

On the eve of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics opening ceremonies, I was excited to see what incredible feats our athletes would perform over the next 17 days. Canadians are set to break new ground in the medal haul with the Own the Podium program and the private financial assistance B210 program. These initiatives finally put our Canadian winter athletes on equal ground with the other world sporting powerhouses.

The spotlight rests on the heads and shoulders of our distinguished athletes. This is their day. This is their moment. The years of grueling practice, regiment and discipline comes down to their 60-second performance, their game on the ice, their plummet down the track.

Throughout the course of sporting history, whenever there has been success, it has often been the people behind the scenes, namely the coaches, who have created this winning formula. If you ask our Olympians why they are able to perform at the world level, most will attribute their success to great coaching, supportive and loving family, and financial sponsorship.

It is time to salute some of the great coaches who have played their game right here in Sault Ste. Marie. Great local coaches have led the charge over many years, and in some cases decades. These coaches all have similar traits: they have a passion for their sport, they have devoted themselves unequivocally to their teams and athletes, they possess charisma that enables them to inspire and motivate, they have fought many battles, and they have won graciously more times than they have lost with dignity. In short, they are the humble community leaders who have achieved greatness in the sporting world.

My list of great local coaches is by no means complete. Any one of the following individuals would be a worthy candidate for nomination for Sault Ste. Marie's Walk of Fame. So here goes.
First, let's head slope-side to Searchmount Valley Resort. For decades, the coach leading the class down the hill has been Brian Mealey. Brian's name is synonymous with national skiing excellence, and synonymous with Searchmount itself. Brian Mealey is one of the early fathers of downhill skiing in Northern Ontario, and many old timers will tell you that one of the reasons we have a world-class mid-elevation mountain out there on the Goulais River is because guys such as Brian can be found on the hill brushing and chain-sawing trails in the offseason, or promoting the heck out of the sport year round. To listen to Brian talk about skiing and the current kids he is working with is pure joy. At the same time that he does not tolerate mediocrity, he loves his charges and their families, and they love him back.

Keeping with the winter theme, you cannot think of curling in Canada without Tom Coulterman's name coming to mind. Watching his daughter, Tara George, perform in the Scotties was a thrill for all Saultites. Tom is without a doubt one of the greatest high school curling coaches Canada has ever produced. Now retired from teaching, Coulterman directs his attention to working with the Canadian National Junior Boys Team. You won't often find him here in the Sault anymore because his love of the game takes him to curling rinks all over the country. I was at the recent funeral of Sandra Mulroney, one of Tom's greatest pupils. Sandra curled in several national championships for Saskatchewan, and you could sense the genuine love that Tom has for all of the athletes who were in his care. We haven't heard the last from Tom Coulterman, and I think we are going to see big things from Tara as well.

Badminton is the second most popular sport in the world, just behind soccer, and in Sault Ste. Marie, Larry Bobbie is the coach at the top of the list. For nearly four decades, Larry coached thousands of kids in the grueling sport of badminton. His charges often won OFSAA championships, and became lifelong friends with Larry and his family. For a time, whatever high school Larry coached at was the high school that won the city championship. Larry gave up high school coaching to focus on grass-roots work with younger kids from all over the city, and his program netted some of the best players Ontario has ever produced. I had the privilege of being coached by Larry in the 1970s, and he was, without a doubt, one of the most influential persons in my life. Although he has retired from coaching, Larry still remains a great friend today.

Last autumn's Sault Steelers' run for a national championship was great fun. The Sault Steelers have been part of the local landscape for as long as I can remember, and the man leading the charge is Barry Rushon. Barry has won numerous NFC Coach Of The Year honours and his work and achievements with high school football over the many years is too long and varied to mention. He has become a great administrator and ambassador for the sport in Ontario. The national championship won by those 50 guys last fall was due in large part to Barry's love of the game and his love for his players. You talk to any man on that championship team and they will tell they will always have Barry Rushon's back. He is someone they look up to and someone they will model.

So there you have it, four great sports, and four great coaches.

Why not submit a letter to The Sault Star about a special coach in your life. It is an opportune time to highlight the achievements of these wonderful people who have led their villages in raising great athletes.

Eh Oh Canada Go!

Frank O'Connor is a member of The Sault Star's editorial board.

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