The 11^th Annual WESPY Awards kicks off with the annual nomination breakfast at Central Athletics.

Story and interviews by Joe McParland

Vancho Cirovski, president of the Windsor Stars’ soccer team, and past WESPY Awards recipient, shared some of his reflections on the sporting community here in Windsor. He pointed out that there are over 10,000 kids playing soccer in the Windsor Essex region. He is very encouraged by those numbers but shares a concern that there is a local lack of investment in coaching and development. He asks,” where are this generation’s coaches, coaches like the Jerry Brumpton’s of former years?”

Brumpton enjoyed a 36year high school coaching career, including 32 years as coach of W.D. Lowe High School senior Boys Basketball team.

Cirovski credits Brumpton’s coaching passion for helping him develop his own passion and desire to coach and mentor others in the athletic arena. He describes Brumpton as the type of coach who would invite a young player to travel with him to North Lansing to take in a Michigan State basketball game. Often times he had no ticket for his young traveler but would arrange to have the likes of Magic Ervin Johnson leave a backdoor ajar at the Breslin arena in order to sneak the youngster in.

It was also announced at today’s press conference that going forward, beginning with the 2016 WESPY Awards, the track and field award is renamed the “Dennis Fairall Track and Field Award”. Fairall is a legend in the Windsor area sports community. Because of health problems he stepped down from his 29year Head Coach career in track and field at the University of Windsor. Fairall has the distinction of being the winningest head coach in track and field in CIS and OUA history.

Responding to the news of this honor, Dennis and his wife Jan said,

Words cannot begin to express how honoured we are that you would consider renaming the WESPY Track and Field award, the Dennis Fairall Track and Field Award. Someone once said, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”  For Dennis, these words could never have been truer. Dennis has always loved all sport and the opportunities it brings to our young people. But track and field was where he found the greatest joy and involvement. To be recognized by both the University last week and now the community of Windsor for doing what he loves only validates that appreciation and commitment of sport in our communities. Please know that Dennis is humbled and overwhelmed by this outpouring of appreciation for his life’s passion. To say thank you seems to small a way to show this appreciation. But please know that our thanks run deeply and are truly heart- felt.”

Finally, the guest keynote speaker for the 2016 WESPY AWARDS was announced – Heather Abbott.

Abbott had part of her leg amputated after suffering grievous injuries in the 2013 terrorist attacks at the Boston Marathon finish line.  Since then, she has started her own foundation to provide customized prostheses to those who have suffered limb loss through traumatic circumstances. This amazing woman – a victim, amputee and survivor – is a gifted and inspirational speaker.       

For a complete listing of this year’s WESPY nominees, visit their website

Joe chats with James King (0wner) Central Athletics

Joe chats with 2016 WESPY Softball Nominee Sarah Bondy