A man who dedicated much time to helping young people succeed on the ice is being remembered through an award to Minor Hockey players.
The first recipient of the Bob Pugh Sportsmanship Award was presented last Thursday.
Brady Engen of the Encana T6 Atom Raptors was presented the award. The criterion for the award is that it is to be presented to a player who displays exceptional sportsmanship.
Bob was an exceptional athlete in his own right. He was born in the valley and like many kids was a rink rat. He went on to study education at the University of Alberta where he played Football for the Golden Bears. He taught in Cessford for a short time before returning to the valley where he went to work as an educator for Corrections Canada.
Sports became a part of his family’s life and he coached three of his sons on the rink in Morrin and Drumheller. He also was a coach for Titans Football.
Bob passed away in January 2010.
“We just wanted to keep his memory alive, and doing it this way, because he did a lot of refereeing, coaching and dealing with children, he would have liked something like this,” said his widow Corrine.
Corrine told The Mail the criteria for the award of fair play and sportsmanship were ideals that Bob as a coach held in high regard.
When his children were finished with sports, he decided to pick up a whistle and put on the striped shirt. The same ideals he espoused as a coach were adhered to as an official.
“If the kids did something wrong on the ice, and he blew the whistle, he would explain to them why he did that,” said Corrine. “He loved helping people learn, and he was really good with kids.”
These values extended beyond the players. He was not afraid to talk to coaches and fans if they were not in the true spirit of the game.
The Bob Pugh Sportsmanship Award will be given out annually to an atom player who shows these traits. A permanent plaque will be installed in the Drumheller Memorial Arena, with recipients’ names engraved. Each recipient will also receive a trophy as well as a $200 gift certificate to the Sports Room Source for Sports.