On behalf of our Directorship, it is my pleasure to share the rich history and achievements of the Calgary Booster Club, an organization that has proudly supported amateur sport for 70 years.
In 1951, eleven Calgary businessmen gathered at the Club Café to form a sports organization dedicated to the development and encouragement of athletic excellence. By 1952, the Calgary Booster Club became a reality, and since then, we have provided $1.8 million in funding to thousands of athletes, teams, and organizations, supporting training, competition, and recognition programs.
A Legacy of Support and Recognition
One of our greatest milestones was securing the bid for the 1988 Winter Olympics, led by Booster Club Directors Frank King, Bob Niven, Bill Neild, and Bill Warren. IOC President Juan Samaranch later called it the best Winter Olympics ever, thanks to the dedicated volunteers who made it happen.
Our Sportsman of the Year (SOY) Program, one of our most prestigious traditions, began in 1954 with Musty McGill as the first honoree. In 2022, we celebrated our 68th SOY, Ron Logan, continuing a legacy of honoring outstanding athletic leaders.
Investing in Calgary’s Student-Athletes
We have proudly supported high school and post-secondary students through various scholarship programs:
- Harry Hood Memorial Football Scholarship (est. 1956) – Our longest-running partnership with the CSHSAA, awarding high school football athletes.
- High School Scholarships – $1,000 is awarded annually to outstanding Grade 12 student-athletes at 32 Calgary high schools.
- Gretta Schwartz & John Mayell Memorial Awards – Two $2,000 scholarships recognizing top male and female student-athletes over three years.
- Post-Secondary Scholarships – Established in 1977, supporting students at U of C, Mount Royal, SAIT, and more. To date, $239,000 has been awarded to 239 student-athletes.
- Bob Freeze Sport Grant Awards (est. 2017) – Up to $1,000 for young athletes under 16.
- Art Smith Amateur Sport Legacy Endowment Awards (est. 1991) – For high-performance athletes over 16 years old.
- National Sport School Recognition – Since 2010, we have honored 53 student-athletes, awarding a total of $53,000.
In total, the Calgary Booster Club has awarded $1,581,500 in scholarships to Calgary’s athletes—a milestone worth celebrating!
Recognizing Calgary’s Best Athletes
- Henry Viney Award (est. 1987) – Recognizes Calgary’s Outstanding Female Athlete.
- Scott-Mamini Award (est. 1958) – Originally for male or female athletes, becoming a male-only award in 1987.
- Jack Gregory Special Olympics Award (est. 2014) – Presented at our Sportsman of the Year Gala to recognize Special Olympic athletes.
- Honoured Athletic Leaders Program (est. 1972) – Over 350 men and women recognized for outstanding contributions to sport.
Since 2013, we have proudly awarded Red Jackets to our Sportsmen of the Year, formally recognizing their enduring impact on Calgary’s sports community.
Serving the Community Beyond Sport
The Booster Club has been involved in many community initiatives, always aiming to fill a need before moving on to new opportunities. Some of our most notable projects include:
- Hockey, Goaltender & Ringette Schools
- Kids on Course Golf Program
- Calgary Herald Road Race
- High School Volleyball & Basketball Tip-Off Tournaments
- High School Track Meets & Adult Golf Tournaments
- Four International Indoor Track & Field Meets
In 1969, at the request of the CSHSAA, the Booster Club sponsored and provided officials for the High School Swim Meet, which grew into the largest high school athletic event in Calgary, now featuring over 1,000 competitors.
Evolving to Sustain Our Support
To maintain financial support for our programs, the Booster Club sought new funding opportunities:
- Bingo Fundraising – Started in 1987 and lasted three years before transitioning to…
- Casino Fundraising – Established in 1995, held every 18 months, providing steady support for scholarships.
Recognizing the need for greater diversity in leadership, the Booster Club began recruiting female directors in 1995. Among the first were Sue Chambers, who later became Club President, and Christine Hampshire, our 2015 Sportswoman of the Year. Female directors continue to be valued leaders in the organization today.
At our 2001 Christmas Party, we launched a raffle in support of KidSport Calgary, an initiative that has since raised thousands of dollars to help young athletes.
In December 2022, we honored our two longest-serving Sportsmen of the Year:
- Doug Kyle (1969 SOY) – Recognized for 53 years of service
- Stan Jaycock (1981 SOY) – Recognized for 41 years of service
Due to its popularity, this new tradition will likely continue in the years to come.
Celebrating 70 Years of Tradition & Success
As we reflect on 70 years of history, every person here tonight has played a role in the success of the Calgary Booster Club. Your contributions have shaped our legacy, and we are deeply grateful for your support.
On behalf of our Directorship, thank you for being part of this celebration. Enjoy the rest of the evening!