A few weeks ago I solicited testimonials that I could put on our new website, aherosjourney.ca. I'm always looking for more content for the site and wanted to share this beautiful note from a long-time coaching colleague and friend Doug Ranton. He and his wife Sandra have become deep friends in the last eight years and I am honoured to share his kind words, not only about the book but about several Olympia veterans that have impacted him along his journey. Oh, the people we get to meet on our journey...These two people have inspired hundreds of young students....


Check out the website for lots of stuff on the book and the book process.  Note: If interested, please send your testimonial to coachdools71@gmail.com. and we'll get it up on the site. Thanks in advance. One of the greatest allies a person can ever have; my friend Doug Ranton



Hey Chris,

 

I wanted to share some thoughts after reading  “A Hero’s Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp.”

 

I have to admit, I am not a big reader. We are just finishing up a 2-week vacation and finally got around to finishing your book.

 

Although not an “Olympia” guy, I was so touched, moved, and inspired by the messaging of the book, Dave Grace, as well as the many stories that relayed the awesomeness of Olympia. The personal journeys of campers, counselors, coaches, and families had me both laughing and crying. I did not attend Olympia, but was impacted by many that did. Through them, I hope that in my career, I inspired young students and athletes to “take the bat off their shoulder”. I include you as one of those that impacted me as a coach and a person. For that, I am truly grateful.

 

I was amazed at the “degrees of separation” that I had with many Olympians. A few examples:

 

  1. Jim Baird was one of the first people to get me involved in basketball. He was my grade 9 phys. Ed teacher. He encouraged a group of us to attend Basketball International (later to become Naismith). Eventually, I would return and coach for 22 years at Naismith. The relationships formed there sound very similar to the one’s that Dave helped create at Olympia.
  2. Not sure if you were aware, but I also coached football for about 18 years of my teaching career. I played football in high school and had a couple awesome people as coaches, although I did not take away a lot of football “wisdom” from them. My football “wisdom” came when I had the opportunity to coach football while on University of Waterloo work terms in Peel. My first was at Port Credit where I got to coach with the legend himself, Pete Martin. He was incredible, as we would sit and talk football, sometimes Ron Lancaster would join us. I was a sponge. The second, was at Applewood Heights. There, I coached and won a Peel Junior Championship with Ken Rysdale. It was really just him and I, so I was forced to learn a ton, and he gave me lots of responsibility. Ken and I would also play one on one basketball almost every lunch hour. He could still really play, even though he was significantly older than me!
  3. John Petrushchak would often come to Naismith for a day and talk to the kids. His connection to Roy Dahl (Naismith director) was through Court Heinbuch. Roy was Court’s assistant on those strong Cameron Heights team. I played for Bluevale at the time Court was coaching those teams, was always impressed (scared) by his intensity. Always enjoyed talking bball with John. What a funny man.
  4. Would often meet up with the Olympia crew in Huntsville on one of our nights from Naismith. That crew would often include Kevin O’Reilly, Rob Baird, Kyle Rysdale and others. Lots of good natured ribbing!
  5. Battled on the court and learned from so many of the Olympia coaches including yourself, John Corrente, Terry Thompson, Mike Penrose, Rob Baird, Kelly Dunham, Gump Hawkins, Andrea Thompson, Kevin O’Reilly, Kathy Brook, Lauren Crosby and more. All of them exuded the spirit and messaging that Dave and Olympia share with so many!
  6. When Chris Oliver was recruiting Jacob to Windsor, he hooked him up with Josh Collins as his chaperone. What a wonderful young man! I wish Jacob would have had a chance to play with him.
  7. Had the pleasure of having Kevin Pangos in some of my sessions while coaching BDP. What a treat. Have also got to know Bill through him recruiting some of the girls that played for me. No wonder Kevin is such a fine young man.
  8. Got to know the Dooley family through our shared love of basketball, as well as our son’s love of the game. Sandra and I can’t thank you enough for the friendship that has been created with you, Joy, Daniel and Nicole. Your entire family took “the bat off their shoulders” in our time of grief and have been there for us over the last 8 years. We cherish your love and support immensely!

 

I am a testament to this book having an impact on someone who is not an “Olympian”. 

 

Thank you my friend,

Doug

 

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