The people we get to meet on our journey.

Jackie Zicaro is one of  the 12 coaches whose journey is outlined in Chapter 4, Meet The Mentors, in A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp. Her content looks at the arrival of allies and ogres in our journey. Jackie is surrounded by allies because that is what  she is to so many. Jackie's ( nee Shaw) Olympia journey began as a babysitter for Gary Southworth. She went as a camper for three years before being hired as a counsellor when she was in grade 11. She worked at camp for four years, years that made her who she is today in many ways. 

As with many long-time Olympia people, Jackie's connections at Olympia led her to so much in her life. She was recruited to Lakehead University by Olympia coach Stu Julius. She had Patty Pangos as a coach at Olympia when she was in grade 8. When she graduated teacher's college Patty helped her get a position  at Dr Denison in Newmarket. She got the job without an interview, and ran her first girl's basketball practice at 7am on her first day of teaching, meaning she was coaching a team before she taught her first class. She was 24.

But this blog really isn't about Jackie Shaw. It's about the people we meet on our journey and how they can impact us. In some cases change he direction of our lives. Its about Joe Zicaro.

At Denison Jackie met and worked with Kelly Pfenning. She coached and worked with Rich MacPherson. She worked with Brent Evans and Blaine Scatcherd. She coached and taught with Patty Pangos. What did all these great teachers and leaders have in common? Olympia.

But the job at Denison did more for Jackie. She met Joe Zicaro. Joe at first  didn't get the importance  of camp to Jackie. In 2002, when they were about to be married and were planning their honeymoon, Jackie said she had to be back for week 7 at Olympia. Joe said she could just go another week. Try telling that to Jackie's week 7 roommates and field house hoops teammates Marnie Buchanan, Bonnie Rysdale, Kristin Lawlor, Kendra Vardon and Andrea Thomson. Joe didn't get that week 7 was like family to Jackie. 


But then Joe became a big part of the week 7 family. A national level Ultimate coach, Joe became a mainstay as a week 7 "Lady of Leisure" a title given most weeks to the coach's spouses. Joe took the title to a whole other level. Joe and Jackie added to their Olympia journey with the birth of Sierra and Taylor. Their journey? Starting at camp in diapers, Sierra is finishing grade 11 while Taylor is head into grade 10. Jackie remembers rubber boots in 90 degree weather.

This blog is to congratulate Joe Zicaro who is retiring from Denison. York Region honoured several retirees last week and some  Olympia alumni were on hand to share in Joe's success. This picture, hastily put together after Joe's emotional and hilarious speech, captures the gang like it was a meeting in the coaches lounge. Joe is, for some reason, in the back row with the sunglasses on. 

They say a picture tells a thousand words. This picture shows the sense of family that is Olympia. It shows our love for Joe.  We were all there for Joe, but truth be told this picture captures many many years of Olympia journeys every role Olympia offers. The roster, from the left, includes Sierra Zicaro, Patty Pangos, Rich MacPherson, Brent Evans (Joe the Grateful Dad) Denise (Chub) Evans. Chris Dooley, Joy Dooley, Taylor Zicaro, Kelly Pfenning, Robin MacPherson, and Jackie Zicaro.


BOOK NEWS


Are you or someone you know heading to Muskoka? Why not take a walk down historic Main Street in Huntsville and check out Cedar Canoe Books. A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp is now available at this beautiful independent book store in beautiful Downtown Huntsville.



SAVE THE DATE


BOOK SIGNING EVENT

SATURDAY JULY 27 2-4PM

INDIGO BOOKS BRANT STREET AND NORTH SERVICE ROAD IN BURLINGTON



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