Source: Tim Enger
Football Alberta announced at its Annual Coaching Awards as a part of the Senior Bowl Banquet 13 honorees that were recognized in different categories but the overall Norm Kimball Coach of the Year Award for 2015 will be given out to Rob McNab and Bruce O’Neil, co-head coaches from Cochrane H.S.
The dynamic duo from Cochrane High School has been together since 1991 and together have produced arguably the finest small school football program in Canada. Since they combined forces they have won an amazing 11 Provincial Championships in 13 final appearances which has included three of the past four Alberta Bowl Tier III Championships. Last season was particularly sweet as they opened the season with a win over the previously #2 ranked high school team in Canada, South Delta, BC 40-7 then punctuated the year with a 55-0 shutout of Holy Rosary in the Alberta Bowl. The Cobras currently sit on an amazing 23 consecutive year streak of qualifying for Provincials out of the Rockyview League. Many testimonials to the class and character of these two gentlemen have come in over the years but their on-field exploits are mind boggling and for that it is Football Alberta’s honor to present the Norm Kimball Coach of the Year Awards to Rob McNab and Bruce O’Neil.
Other 2015 Award Winners Include:
Hall of Fame Induction – Ken Van Loon (Central Alberta Football) – awarded posthumously
Gary Hobson Volunteer Awards – Dave Harty (Calgary Bantam Stampeders) and Gwen Chadsey (Southern Alberta Minor Football)
Frank Morris Tier I Coach of the Year – Tyler Park (St. Francis H.S. in Calgary)
Laurie Robertson Tier II Coach of the Year – Darren Olson (Foothills H.S. in Okotoks)
Tier III Coach of the Year – Vince Orieux (Holy Rosary H.S. in Lloydminster)
Tier IV Coach of the Year – Dave McKinnon (Ardrossan H.S.)
Bantam Coach of the Year – James Devine (Edmonton Chargers)
Pee-Wee Coach of the Year – Shane Kessel (Okotoks Eagles)
2015 Football Alberta Coach/Official Award Winners
Harold Ferguson Official of the Year Award
Dennis Fitzgerald – Grande Prairie
Dennis Fitzgerald has almost 40 years of contribution to the sport of football as an on-field official. Staring in Edmonton, Dennis moved to Grande Prairie in the early 1990’s and immediately became a mainstay not only on the field but as an educator and promotor of officiating in the Mighty Peace region. He officiates wherever needed doing game from Pee-Wee to Senior Men’s. He also annually runs several Level I and II clinics during the off-season giving the Peace Region a reliable source of trained officials. For his long term continuing efforts to make football better through officiating it is our honor to present Dennis Fitzgerald with the Harold Ferguson Official of the Year Award for 2015.
Novice Coach of the Year Award
Travis Gorski – Strathmore High School Spartans
A former Team Alberta player giving back is making a difference in Strathmore. Travis Gorski has been the head coach of the Strathmore H.S. Spartans for three years now and his efforts are being rewarded with an improved record and attitude for football in the school. Inheriting a team that was struggling Travis’s Spartans failed to win a game his first year in 2013 but have steadily improved from a commitment level of 13 kids that year to 38 last year and a spot in the Rangeland Conference playoffs. A good young coach with a great work ethic and a bright future, the 2015 Novice Coach of the Year is Travis Gorski.
Atom/Pee-Wee Coach of the Year Award
Shane Kessel – Okotoks Pee-Wee Eagles
For the second year in a row Shane Kessel is the Atom/Pee-Wee Coach of the Year. Last year it was all about the Provincial Championship where this year it was all about building a competitive team from a rookie laden roster. Shane took his Eagles from a winless start to the Calgary Division II Final Game with mostly inexperienced players. Described as a classic example to his players of dignity, sportsmanship and respect, Shane Kessel is the 2015 Atom/Pee-Wee Coach of the Year.
Bantam Coach of the Year Award
James Devine – Edmonton Chargers
The Chargers Bantam team in 2015 had a regular season record of 7-0 and put up impressive numbers such as 312 points for and a paltry 91 against. James Devine, who has over 23 years of involvement with the Chargers organization and is the only coach in their organization who has coached all four levels of Charger football, then took the team to victories over Leduc in the CDMFA Final and Raymond and the Calgary Cowboys in Provincials to claim their third Provincial Tier I Title. For this, James Devine is the 2015 Bantam Coach of the Year.
High School Tier IV Coach of the Year Award
Dave McKinnon – Ardrossan Bisons
The head coach of the most consistently good Tier IV team in the Province, Dave McKinnon is recognized this year for another stellar year at the helm of the Bisons. After a strong showing in Metro Edmonton Division II, Dave lead his Bisons to three straight wins in Provincials, which included a 21-0 upset over #1 ranked Sexsmith in the semi-final, capping it off with a 30-21 victory over Willow Creek from Claresholm in the Alberta Bowl to claim the Bisons fifth Tier IV Provincial Championship. Dave McKinnon is the Tier IV Coach of the Year for 2015.
High School Tier III Coach of the Year Award
Vince Orieux – Holy Rosary Raiders (Lloydminster)
It’s been quite a couple of years for Vince Orieux and the Holy Rosary Raiders. In 2014 they scaled the heights of the Tier IV level of play winning their first Provincial Championship over Willow Creek. This year with a bump in population the Raiders found themselves at the Tier III level. Undaunted they blasted through the Wheatland league, repeating as Champions, and won two hard fought Provincial Games before bowing to the powerful Cochrane Cobras in the Alberta Bowl Tier III Championship Game. Not the finish they wanted but still a very impressive year at a higher level of play and for that Vince Orieux is the Tier III Coach of the Year.
High School Laurie Robertson Tier II Coach of the Year Award
Darren Olson – Foothills Falcons (Okotoks)
It was a banner year for the Foothills Falcons as the most prolific Tier II Championship team since 2000 added its fifth Provincial Tier II Title to its trophy case in 2016. After a stellar regular season the Falcons were upset in the Big Rock League Final by Rundle College. That didn’t slow them however as they blasted their way through Provincials with one of the most impressive showings in recent memory winning their three games by an average score of 54-10. For that, their head coach Darren Olson is the Tier II Coach of the Year.
Frank Morris Tier I Coach of the Year Award (tie)
Tyler Park – St. Francis Browns (Calgary)
After climbing and defeating the mountain that was the three-time Provincial Tier I Champion Notre Dame Pride not once but three times in 2016 to secure the St. Francis Browns their fifth Provincial Tier I Title since 1995, Tyler Park is the Tier I coach of the year for 2016. The Browns program is annually one of the best in Canada and the tradition of excellence stretches back to the 1950’s. This year was no exception and their clashes with their northwest Calgary neighbors, the Notre Dame Pride, were some of the finest football people have seen in years. For this amazing season we recognize Tyler Park of the St. Francis Browns.
Norm Kimball Coach of the Year Award and Tier IV H.S. Coach of the Year
Rob McNab and Bruce O’Neil – Cochrane H.S.
This dymanic duo has been together since 1991 and together have produced arguably the finest small school football program in Canada. Since they combined forces they have won an amazing 11 Provincial Championships in 13 final appearances which has included three of the past four Alberta Bowl Tier III Championships. Last season was particularly sweet as they opened the season with a win over the previously #2 ranked high school team in Canada, South Delta, BC 40-7 then punctuated the year with a 55-0 shutout of Holy Rosary in the Alberta Bowl. The Cobras currently sit on an amazing 23 consecutive year streak of qualifying for Provincials out of the Rockyview League. Many testimonials to the class and character of these two gentlemen have come in over the years but their on-field exploits are mind boggling and for that it is Football Alberta’s honor to present the Norm Kimball Coach of the Year Awards to Rob McNab and Bruce O’Neil.
Gary Hobson Volunteer of the Year Award
Dave Harty – Calgary Bantam Stampeders
In addition to his coaching duties which saw Dave Harty take his Calgary Bantam Stampeders all the way to the Calgary Bantam Final before bowing to the Calgary Cowboys, Coach Harty was and has been very involved in off-field activities that have helped grow the sport of football in his hometown. Dave was instrumental in the installation of AED defibrillators at each of the fields at Shouldice Park. As well, Dave spearheaded the Pink Sock Initiative in support of the Canadian Cancer Society which saw Calgary Bantam teams wear pink socks in their sixth and seventh games of the year. A member of the Calgary Police Service, Dave is described as a man of character who does an excellent job of teaching life skills through football. For all of his contributions to the game Dave Harty is recognized as the co-winner of the 2016 Gary Hobson Volunteer of the Year Award.
Gwen Chadsey – Southern Alberta Minor Football Association
A long serving member of the Southern Alberta Minor Football Association Board of Directors, Gwen Chadsey, has served in many roles in support of football. Starting in 1993 as a Director with SAMFA, Gwen has also served in the capacity of Treasurer and Equipment Manager since 1995 and All-Star Game Coordinator since 2010. She has also been heavily involved with the off-field activities for both the Lethbridge Bantam Stampeders and the L.C.I. Rams High School team and was instrumental on the committee that started Atom football in the Lethbridge area in 1995. Lauded as a very organized person who keeps things fun, Gwen Chadsey can always be relied upon to get things done and for that she is the co-winner of the 2016 Gary Hobson Volunteer of the Year Award.
Life Membership/Hall of Fame Award
Ken Van Loon – Central Alberta Football (presented posthumously)
Following a long and valiant battle, Kenneth Edward Van Loon passed away on March 18, 2016 in Red Deer, Alberta, surrounded by his friends and family. Ken was an Alberta boy through and through, and a loyal team mate and friend to many. He had a great passion for teaching and football. A member of the 1967 Vanier Cup winning Golden Bears and a teacher and coach throughout his long career, Ken, who many simply referred to as “Coach” taught many lessons and touched many lives. Ken has been a long serving Football Official and has mentored many officials in Central Alberta. Ken was involved in the start of three minor football programs in Central Alberta. He has been the commissioner of the Central Alberta Bantam League in the central zone. Ken has been a great friend to Football in Alberta. His enthusiasm and expertise will be missed. Ken was the recipient of a kidney transplant more than 20 years ago and in his memory his family requested that we all consider signing your respective donor cards.
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