Here we are mid-June, Father’s Day on the horizon and just like that, one of the longest running and most significant sporting events in this city is upon us.
The 2011 Harry Kazarian Memorial Minor Lacrosse Tournament begins on Friday with 7 divisions of competition spread out over 5 venues, all funnelling towards Championship Sunday at the Harry Lumley-Bayshore Community Center.
The tournament is named for Harry Kazarian, a tremendous performer for Owen Sound’s National Championship teams in the 50’s in both lacrosse & hockey.
The imprint of Harry Kazarian certainly didn’t stop at his playing days as he also was a committed builder of city sports and you don’t have to go far to see his legacy in a variety of activities.
Similarly, each of the divisions is named in honor of people who have been highly significant and in the growth, development and long term operation of sports, primarily lacrosse, in Owen Sound;
Rick Bisson, Donna Cooper, Jack McGregor, Lorne Ainsworth, Doug Woods, Glen Juniper & Jim Nickel.
To the players from out of town, even from in-town, they understand the Kazarian Memorial Minor Lacrosse Tournament is a big deal this year and every year.
And hopefully in their communities, and definitely in ours, the names of the honoured this weekend will be followed through the years by these participants, so the Kazarian Tournament and similar events catering to minor sports around the province will have an equally long-lasting history and tradition.
I’m Fred Wallace