2009 HCAA Recognition Award Recipients Congratulations and thank you to Ray Krienke, Wanda Krentz, Greg Pelletier, Jay Fitzsimmons, Ray Emde, Edie Conly, Boh Popowych (not in photo), and Barry Crosahw (not in photo), who were honored by the HCAA for their significant contributions to school athletics. NW Quadrant RAY EMDE – ST. BRIEUX:  Ray has always been a key part of the athletic program at St. Brieux School.  He has always been in charge of the fundraising arm of the school (St. Brieux School Intramural Board or “IMB”), organizing and running both the magazine and chocolate sales.  These funds are used specifically for high school athletics or for physical education equipment.  Along with that, he acts as the athletic director, always making sure referees and minor officials are available for all the home games, keeping track of who needs to be paid, and performing other duties such as making sure all registration forms are sent in on time, mileage is paid to parent drivers, and so on. In terms of coaching, he has always coached Sr. BoysVolleyball, Jr. Boys Basketball, and Sr. Badminton.  Many years have gone by when he has coached both Jr. and Sr. Badminton and also coached 2 volleyball teams at once.  He also helped run the computer programs during Track and Field.  He currently is doing all of this coaching while holding the position of Principal. Ray has been commissioner of Sr. Badminton for several years, and also serves on the St. Brieux Recreation Board, a position he has held for many years.  He is past treasurer of the Humboldt Schools Athletic Association, a position he held for 3 years.  He was also on the executive committee of the Quill Plains Winter Games in 2007. He often volunteers his early mornings for math reviews, and is always available to students. Ray has been an extremely valuable member of the school staff and community.  He is being recognized for his absolute dedication to high school athletics. WANDA KRENTZ – MIDDLE LAKE:  Wanda has been a vital component to the revitalized Athletic program at Three Lakes School in Middle Lake.  As a parent, she has helped at numerous functions and in various capacities.  Over the years, she has organized countless canteens for games, tournaments, division, district, conference and regional, and provincial events; has worked endless hours on decorating for numerous events, the biggest being the annual Avenger Athletics Awards Banquet held every spring; has organized officials for many different sports, including basketball and soccer; has volunteered countless hours over the past 10 – 15 years at the school for all different sporting events; and has done more than her share of driving around the province to many different sporting events. Wanda has gone over and above the call of duty and is deserving of recognition for everything she has done at Three Lakes School. NE Quadrant BOH POPOWYCH – FOAM LAKE:  Boh has been a member of the Foam Lake Composite Staff for his entire 30 year teaching career.  Boh is superannuating this year.  Boh coached and refereed volleyball for all of his career.  In the last fifteen years, Boh has been the "go to" basketball official.  Boh frequently travels the East Central and now Horizon districts reffing basketball and will always help those schools who say "We are in a pinch, can you come after school today?" Boh has refereed both basketball and volleyball at the provincial level.  Boh is also the timekeeper for Panther football home games. RAYKRIENKE – KELVINGTON:  Over his 30 year teaching and coaching career, Ray has developed a volleyball program in Kelvington which has become a model for other schools throughout the province.  In this year, Ray’s 30th and final year of teaching, he achieved yet another 3A Girls Volleyball Provincial Gold Medal.  The countless hours and weekends away from his family over the years have been a testament to his dedication to the school, programs, and student-athletes.  Ray has been recognized by the SHSAA recently with the receipt of the SHSAA Service Award in 2007.  It is only fitting that the Horizon Central Athletic Association also recognize the contributions that he has made to High School Athletics by bestowing this award on him. SW Quadrant EDIE CONLY – LANIGAN:  Edie has developed one of the better-known high school girls volleyball programs in the province.  Her teams are always competitive and demonstrate all the core values of the SHSAA (as evidenced by the Provincial Championship and Sportsmanship banners her teams have attained).  Numerous former players have gone on to play at a Canadian university or an American college. Not only does Edie stress fundamental skills and a winning environment, she also teaches her athletes many important life skills such as responsibility, respect, determination, and dedication.  She is very deserving of this award of recognition. BARRY CROSHAW – WATROUS:  As a coach, Barry Croshaw has done an excellent job of not only building a football program over the years, but also expanding it to become an integral part of the school and the athletes’ schooling. What is most impressive is the manner in which Barry focuses on the student athlete's role within the academics of the school. The players recognize that ability alone does not guarantee a position on the team.  School academics, SRC involvement, volunteerism, and a commitment to conditioning required for football are all seen as equals. Over the years, Barry has continued to build upon these ideas, and because of it the team players have recognized that a tradition of excellence does not just involve a win/loss record. Barry is able to involve those from the school staff, the community, and the parents as he continues to challenge the boys to develop themselves not only physically, but academically. SE Quadrant JAY FITZSIMMONS – ITUNA:  Jay Fitzsimmons has been a dedicated member of the extra-curricular sports team at Ituna School.  He has coached Senior Football for the past three years, two in cooperation with Kelliher and one as Ituna Trojans coach.  He was instrumental in reviving Ituna’s own football program for the 08/09 school year, spending the many hours it took with students and community to get the many novice players and facilities ready for the season. The football program was a highlight of the start of the year with the community totally supporting the program. He also coached senior curling at the school for the past 3 years, taking one of the teams this year all the way to provincial playoffs in Kelliher. In the past three years, he has coached Sr. Girls Volleyball and badminton as well, and he will be coaching track and field again this year. GREG PELLETIER – RAYMORE:  In 1999 –2000, Greg held an itinerant position in Govan and Semans where he was athletic director for both schools and coached volleyball, badminton, curling, and track and field.  Greg is now teaching at Raymore, where for 8 years he has coached football and track, and acted as the school athletic director.  For six years, he coached basketball and was the student council advisor.  Greg has also taken on the role of division, conference, and district commissioner for several sports, and served as SE Quadrant Rep for the HCAA last year.