August 19, 2014

Colero: A New First For Huddle Up

 

Jason Colero – Director, Education Programs – Toronto Argonauts

Toronto – The Huddle Up Bullying Prevention program, presented by Tim Hortons, was only three years into its existence and taking place after a Grey Cup championship season. It was the 2004/2005 school year and, through the program, our team made special “Grey Cup” school visits, bullying prevention assemblies, and hosted a charitable basketball tour.

Having been a part of this program with various players from 2001 to present day, I have become aware that it can affect young people for years to come. But never did I consider the day it would come full circle.

In 2004/2005, LB Michael Fletcher was one of many players who presented their testimony to schools in the Greater Toronto Area. I would be lying if I remembered the faces of all the students, let alone the schools they went to, but I do know that there have been a number that made a point to remember us. It is always rewarding knowing that we have affected the lives of students, especially when we hear it by email, letter or face to face. 

Being a little weak in mathematics, I had a hard time realizing that if we presented the Huddle Up program 12 years ago to an age 14 grade 8 student, they have likely since finished their education and could very well be a teacher, parent, season ticket holder, or even a player. It’s amazing to hear stories from people who remember the way “an Argos player made a difference in their life.”

At this year’s training camp I heard it first-hand once again, but this time it came in the form of football development. Actually, it started in the off-season when I heard from Jonathan Hood and James Yurichuk that the Argonauts charity basketball team, affectionately called the “Courtside Boatmen” visited their high schools when they attended as students. Then, on a warm summer day on the last day of May, just after addressing this year’s Argonauts rookie players about their role in the community and the event they had just be a part of, it happened.

Related on Argonauts.ca

Toronto Argonauts

PHOTO GALLERY: Best Photos From Signature Look Uniform Night
MUST SEE: CEO Chris Rudge does the #ALSIceBucketChallenge

As I walked away from the player huddle, I was tapped on the shoulder by current first year Argos receiver, Natey Adjei. Born in Mississauga, Ontario, he explained that he remembered when the Argos came to his middle school in Mississauga. When asked what he remembered, he recalled that “Michael Fletcher spoke about bullying and it was crazy to hear how he was still bothered today about how his friends’ lives were ruined because they were bullied into doing something that got them in trouble with the law.  (Michael Fletcher) didn’t allow his popularity to make him part of the problem.”

Natey went on to talk about when the Courtside Boatmen later returned to his school to play a charity basketball game, and how Michael Fletcher had motivated him to achieve his dream of one day playing professional football. The inspiration came from Fletcher’s story as well as his encouraging comments to the young Natey to keep playing hard and that he may one day play for the Argos.

When we visit schools, camps and events it’s always known that we will affect someone with our words or actions. Sometimes we receive immediate gratitude through an email or letter telling us how we have made a difference in someone else’s life. It’s rare to know how many people we may have affected over the years – to the extent that we have been a part of a person’s path towards achieving their goals.

The most frustrating part of community relations is that a lot of the return on investment of the time and caring you put in is not always immediate. I can only hope that there are more Natey Adjei stories waiting to be told.

This is why I am hoping to hear from you – the fans – whom may have been affected positively at some point by the Toronto Argonauts in the community. We would love to hear your stories on twitter or simply emailed to us via @TorontoArgos, @ArgoJC or community@argonauts.ca

                    

Jason

 

 “Make your passion your Life and No one can take that away.”