In AUGUST 2007, fastball players in Canada lost a great icon of their sport, Gil Read. In February of this year, Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) President and former Gee-Gees fastball player Pam Hrick tabled a motion at the SFUO’s Board of Administration (BOA) to create a $1,000 annual scholarship for competitive club athletes.

The motion was passed, and in a unique occurrence, Sports Services decided to match the SFUO’s $10,000 deposit. It was later stated that the scholarship would be named in Read’s honour.

During the BOA meeting March 2, Hrick re-introduced her scholarship idea with an amendment. The funding would need to be increased in order to make the scholarship sustainable; her amendment was to increase the funding to $22,000 (once again matched by Sports Services) and she was met with zero opposition.

Hrick knew Read well. He joined the team as a practice coach, but his influence extended far beyond the field. Scott Searle, current head coach of the fastball team, had only good things to say about Read.

“His values of commitment to excellence, competing with class, and representing yourself with pride have carried through in our [fastball] program and we are all thrilled to see his name attached to a scholarship,” he said.

Read has an extensive biography in the world of fastball and softball. He worked with Softball Canada for numerous events and led the Canadian women’s softball team at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He joined the U of O’s women’s fastball team in 2004 and guided them to a provincial silver medal in 2005. The same year, he was awarded the Mark Lowry Memorial Award for lifetime achievement in sports administration and volunteerism at an Ottawa Sports Awards dinner.

Read died suddenly last summer of a stroke, caused by an ATV accident. He was 53. His wife, Georgia, was pleased with the idea of creating a scholarship in his name. She has received many offers to name tournaments after him—a testament to his effect on others in the fastball community.

“Gil left an indelible mark on our program and my life personally,” Searle added.

Distribution of the scholarship has not yet been determined, but its criteria will likely combine athletics, academics, and community service. It is the first time the SFUO and Sports Services have worked together for a club-sport scholarship.

Courtesy of the Fulcrum.

       Frank Cox, a long-time member of the Canadian National Softball team and one of the best male pitchers in the world was in Ottawa last week to help the Gee-Gees prepare for the 2008 season. Athletes from the University of Ottawa program joined students from St. Peter High School to listen to instruction from the World Class pitcher who focused on off-season conditioning programs.  

        Cox, who lead a two-hour clinic over the weekend  is a 3-time World Champion, and has been named MVP of the National Championships 6 times.  He hopes to lead Canada to victory at the ISF World Championships next year in Saskatoon.

        The team will take his advice in their preparation phase for the 2008 OIWFA Season.