2012 Honourary Chairpersons
Carol and Gale Jeffrey
Carol and I are very appreciative and
honoured to be named the 25th anniversary honourary
chairpersons. Who would have thought Carol’s involvement with
minor basketball in the early 1980s as president of the local
association and my involvement with DTC since 1987 would have
landed us here at this time?
Carol remembers working with basketball supporters and
parents like Sandra Lammens, Ray Gillies, Doug Doney, Willard
McShane, Gary Nixon, Ken Garey and others.
In 1988, Carol had the pleasure of being the host for the
Bathurst Heights Bears. She took them on tours of the new mine,
the ski hill and John Robinson Sr.’s farm. The kids had a ball.
The experience with basketball gave both of our children,
Spencer and Candace, many opportunities as they progressed
through the minor program, school programs and on to university.
Spencer went on to play for UNBF and STU while Candace played
four years at Acadia. The friendships they made during all those
years are ones which continue even today.
It has been a real pleasure to be associated with the DTC
Committee for all these years. It offered so many opportunities
from working with several great volunteers (more than 150 at
last count), super coaches, you the fans, making presentations
to sponsors and advertisers, and having the chance to meet
plenty of fine young people from Atlantic Canada, Quebec,
Ontario and across Canada.
There have been countless memories from the Classic, from
seeing one’s own children play in the tournaments, to watching
Robbie Upshaw run our first DTC Summer Camp, to the
implementation of bursaries and scholarships to help our local
youth improve their skills, and the purchase of abundant items
for the gymnasium over the years.
Today we are beginning to see the reward from all this as
many former players are now coaches in the minor basketball
system, which means the overall program can only improve with
the large amount of young people involved.
It is our hope all those associated with the 2012 tournament,
especially the players, have a great time both on and off the
court and make numerous new friends. The tournament has always
been about the players and the games.
Best of luck to each team.
Past Honourary Chairs
2011 - Peter & Linda McAleenan
2010 - Des & Angela McCarthy
2008 - Jamie Roach
2007 - Ron Harvey
2006 - Michael Swift
2005 - Michael & Mary Maxwell
2004 - Danny & Cheryl Keith
2003 - Gordon & Irene Lewis
2002 - Shirley Robinson
2001 - John Robinson Sr.
2000 - Linda Colpitts
1999 - Allan Stafford
1998 - Doug Doney
1997 - Ian & Brenda Leask
1996 - Gary & Sheila Nixon
1995 - Hans & Sandra Lammens
1994 - Jim & Eileen Ryan
1993 - Jackie & Cecil McGarrigle
1992 - Allan Charters
1991 - John Muscroft
1990 - Andrea Dwyer
1989 - George Keays
1988 - Jarvis McQuinn
1987 - Donald Reicker
2012 Team Celebration Guest Speaker
Norval McConnell
Manager of community & player relations initiatives
for Moncton Miracles of NBL Canada
The Dairy Town Classic is pleased
to present a guest speaker who has worked and
volunteered under the motto Control What You Can
Control and Influence What You Cannot Control.
Teacher Norval McConnell of Moncton is the guest
speaker at the tournament's team celebration.
McConnell, who is due to retire June 2012 after 31 years of
teaching, has also recently been hired by the Moncton
Miracles of the National Basketball League of Canada as
their manager of community and player relations
initiatives. He calls it a “dream type of job.”
He began playing hoops in Grade 9 at Hillcrest School in
Moncton and moved on to Moncton High School, where, in
each of his three years, the Purple Knights lost to
Fredericton High School each season in the championship.
“You can see that has stuck with me!”
McConnell went on to played at Mount Allison and then at St.
F.X (1981 Atlantic champions).
“I loved the competition, but perhaps more learned so much
about myself that I likely would not have been able too
but for the game.”
He started teaching in Amherst in 1981 and the same year
delved into the coaching arena. He has since coached 57
school-based teams from Amherst Regional High,
Bessborough, Moncton High, Shediac Cape School, Queen
Elizabeth, Hillcrest, Harrison Trimble to Bernice
MacNaughton High.
McConnell became involved in Moncton Kiwanis Minor Basketball
in 1999 when his son started playing at the puppy level.
He became their treasurer in 2000, a position he
continues to hold.
“I actually enjoy the board work as the individuals that have
been involved have always been so committed to the
players and the development of the game. We have
contributed over $25,000 to schools in District 2 over
the last five years for facility improvements like new
glass backboards.”
McConnell joined Basketball New Brunswick in 2005 and became
president in 2009.
Past Guest Speakers
2011 - David Cooper
2010 - Brent Baker
2008 - Darrell Turnbull
2007 - Jeff Speedy
2006 - Fred Nykamp
2005 - Michael Bishop
2004 - Don Walker
2003 - Gary Young
2002 - Jim Charters
2001 - Renee Poirier
2000 - Peter Corby
1999 - Meaghan Kenny
1998 - Brian Forsythe
1997 - Tim Hynes
1996 - John Ryan
1995 - Clint Hamilton
1994 - Jim Thorburn
1993 - Dick Steeves
1992 - Brian Forbes
1991 - Don Grant
1990 - Don Nelson
1989 - Rob Upshaw
1988 - Tom Hanley
1987 - Tony Tamaro
Teams
Twelve high-calibre teams from Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes... Take a Look
Results
Game scores, top point-getters and game stars of all 22 games... See the Stats
Awards
From All-Star Teams to MVP's to recognized Sonics... Winners
