Another year in Cochrane sports has flown by, with 2013 having its share of wins and losses for competitors, coaches, administrators and advocates involved athletic endeavours. But there are those who’ve separated themselves from the rest with their contributions and achievements.
Some are obvious. Some, not so much.
But all had a hand in shaping the sporting landscape in our town at ice/field level or at policy tables in far-away places like Edmonton. After sifting through dozens of potential candidates and, with careful consideration and great difficulty paring the list down, here are the 13 most influential people in our town’s sporting arena in ’13.
The most authoritative participant in Cochrane sports today, the hockey dad and former Swift Current Broncos player who played in the early 1990s has been relentless advocating for change to Canada’s justice system. A young victim of convicted child-molester and former Broncos coach Graham James, Holt’s tireless work ensures offenders like James are unable to attain positions of trust among kids and are more adequately sentenced upon conviction.
He’s changing the way victims are viewed and offenders are sentenced. Word around the rink is the 40-year-old forward has a decent shot, too.
The Cochrane Minor Hockey Association president oversees a community minor-hockey program with a $1-million annual budget, featuring (including ringette) 58 teams involving 930 players aged 4-17. A big job with big responsibilities and big influence.
A Canadian Olympic athlete (doubles luge) headed to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. He carries the torch of the Olympic brand for our town with the Games just 35 days away.
President, Canadian Pro Rodeo Association. The top dog at Canada’s premier pro rodeo circuit would, in any other year, make the top 3. But it’s an Olympic year (see Tristan Walker). Quietly running one of the more efficient and spectacular sports properties in the West, Milan’s boys Straws, Baillie and Tanner are tearing it up in the pro ranks as steer wrestlers as well.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward links grassroots minor hockey to the heat and light of the National Hockey League on one of the most storied franchises in professional sport. Also finds time to come back to town with a truckload of hockey gear for the less fortunate.
The Calgary Stampeders fullback links grassroots minor football to the heat and light of the Canadian Football League. Also finds the time to come back to town and check up on his dad, bantam Lions football offensive-coordinator Cam Cote, and rally the kids on the sidelines.
Players like 2004 grad Rob Cote and, more recently, University of Regina Rams rookie-of-the-year Bryce McKinnon studied under this football coaching trio at Cochrane High School. The scope of their coaching influence is as great as the number of players who’ve graduated from the Cochrane High Cobras program and gone on to either play at higher levels or coach at college, high-school and club levels. You’ll also find Forrest and McNab coaching Cobras basketball as well.
Through community-fundraising events like golf tournaments and hockey games, the principals of the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation have raised more than $1 million for community sports initiatives in the name of their late daughter, who perished in an automobile accident in 2008.
The marathon man is a one-man brand with his tireless work around the globe raising awareness for fitness while collecting funds for Right to Play so the less fortunate can enjoy the benefit of sport. Any day now we should see “Marathon Martin” run a marathon on the moon, as was suggested by a young student during one of Martin’s countless school visits.
As head coach at Cochrane Cowboys wrestling club, his program regularly places athletes in elite events like the Alberta Games, Canada Games, nationals and provincials. Organized a huge “Save Olympic Wrestling” event in Cochrane last spring involving world-class wrestlers Christine Nordhagen and Carol Huynh. Steered another world-class wrestling exhibition to St. Timothy High School last month when space was unavailable elsewhere. With the able assistance of James and Jen McKeage, McNeice ensures wrestling has a prominent place in Cochrane sport.
Under any other circumstance, the Cochrane Generals head coach would be higher up the list. Being a rookie, he needs a little more seasoning to crack the top 10. But seriously, his work largely dictates the fate of Cochrane’s premier hockey team in the Heritage Junior League. His two prior seasons as head coach of the Bow Valley Timberwolves midget AA club hook him directly into the source of the player pipeline flowing to the Gens, which is more important than ever right now with all the injuries to his team’s veteran players. A nod also goes to second-year GM Jacquie Hurlbert for her key contributions to the franchise.
The Sport 4 Life spokesperson is involved in numerous initiatives to get Cochranites in the game. Most recently introduced Cochrane’s Physical Literacy Leadership Academy (PLLAY), a plan aimed at helping individuals incorporate sport-specific and general physical activity into teaching and coaching programs. Norris gets Cochranites moving.
Owner, Café Roubaix Bicycle Studio. When a guy running a wheel-lacing boutique in small-town Alberta takes on revered bicycle-manufacturing giant Specialized, and wins, he makes the list by default. (See Lindsay Seewalt story, page 7, Dec. 12 Cochrane Eagle. Or go to cochraneeagle.com).
Honorable mention goes to Cochrane’s Bike Bros., named one of Canada’s top bicycle stores by Canadian Cyclist.
In the world of cycling, the wheels definitely go ’round in Cochrane.
