sports

Maple Leafs Win Best Mascot - Red Wings, Most Obnoxious

Maple Leafs Win Best Mascot – Red Wings, Most Obnoxious

Play Canada decided to have a little fun by surveying more than 2,000 NHL fans from the U.S. and Canada to get their opinions on NHL team mascots. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Carlton the Bear took 1st place for the Best Mascot, and the Detroit Red Wings’ Al the Octopus took 2nd place in the Most Obnoxious category.

The octopus began its association with Detroit hockey in 1952 during the championship series. Back then, it only took two best-of-seven matches to secure the cup, therefore, 8 games to win.

Detroit ended up sweeping its series against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens, winning the Stanley Cup in a mere 8 games. During that series,  an octopus was thrown onto the ice by Pete and Jerry Cusimano, and the creature began its long history of being synonymous with Detroit hockey.

Al the Octopus is named after Al Sobotka, the octopi-whirling Zamboni driver whose job was rounding up the critters that fans chucked onto the ice during games. Al placed 14th in Play Canada’s survey for best mascot, but his behavior during games ranked him #2 on the Most Obnoxious list.

Carlton the Bear has been the official mascot of the Maple Leafs since 1995 and is best known for spreading Maple Leaf Spirit and his rivalry with the Ottawa Senators’ mascot, Spartacat who placed 28th in the Play Canada survey.

For the complete results of Play Canada’s survey, visit their website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

Robinson Tennis Tournament Returns

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Tennis House is gearing up for the return of the Francis J. Robinson Tennis Tournament. The tournament will take place at the tennis house from July 28th – August 1st, 2021.

This year’s event will be a round robin format where players of like ability will be matched up. The round robin format will enable players of all skills levels to participate and enjoy playing several matches against players of similar skill.

The entry fee for the tournament is $40 per player and includes one singles, one doubles, and one mixed doubles match. It also includes an event t-shirt.

The deadline to enter the 2021 Robinson is July 23rd at 5 PM, and registration details and entry forms are available at phtennishouse.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Blue Water Volleygrass is Back-  July 23-25

Port Huron, MI — Blue Water Volleygrass is back with a tournament scheduled for Friday, July 23rd through Sunday, July 25th. Registration opened on June 1st.

The tournament is a major fundraiser for Port Huron Northern High School athletic teams. The tournament had to be canceled last year, but it is a go this year with the usual 200 teams expected. Northern’s sports team members and their families generally volunteer to host the annual event, where new and returning teams fight for the top spot in their divisions.

Blue Water Volleygrass is a grass court four-on-four volleyball tournament with a variety of divisions. The tournament is held on the athletic field at Port Huron Northern High School on Krafft Road.

The divisions include beginner, intermediate, open, and 40 and up divisions for men; beginner, intermediate, open, and 30 and up for women, and girls and boys teams for ages U14 to U18. There are also co-ed divisions. The cost to register is between $85 and $145 per team.

The full list of rules and regulations, as well as registration information, can be found at volleygrass.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Upper Deck Ultimate MVP

Are You the Red Wings’ Biggest Fan?

Do you think you’re the NHL’s most passionate and dedicated fan? Upper Deck wants to know as they begin their search for this year’s Ultimate MVP or Most Valuable Person.

From April 16th – 26th nominations are open at www.upperdeck.com/mymvp/, and it’s okay to nominate yourself! Entrants must be 18 or older and willing to share their passion for one of 8 participating NHL teams, including the Detroit Red Wings.

When filling out the nomination form online, entrants will have to explain why they are an exemplary fan and how they believe they stand out from the crowd.

Up to five nominees will be chosen on April 30th to represent each participating NHL team, and the public will vote on Twitter for the best team MVP and the best ultimate MVP.

Winners will also be announced on Twitter, and they will receive a variety of prizes ranging in value from $100 – $3,000.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Photo: Upper Deck

Port Huron Northern AD Jason Kasparian Named Regional Athletic Director of the Year

Port Huron, MI — Jason Kasparian, the Athletic Director at Port Huron Northern High School, was selected as the 2021 Regional Athletic Director of the Year by the Michigan Interscholastic Administrators Association (MIAAA).

Mr. Kasparian is in his 11th year as both Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Port Huron Northern High School. His leadership roster includes Macomb Area Conference President for the 2018 season, and current chair for the Sportsmanship and Technology Committees with MIAAA, along with several committees for the Michigan High School Athletics Association. He has also coached soccer, little league, and basketball at various levels and is considered the champion of the effort to raise $141,000 to replace the gym floor at Port Huron Northern.

John Hartley, a fellow AD in the region said, “Jason Kasparian is a loving and caring husband and father, a ‘do the right thing’ type of person, and someone I am honored to call a great friend and colleague. I feel I speak for the Macomb Area Conference when I say I am proud to have Jason Kasparian represent us by being named MIAAA Region 10 AD of the Year.”

Port Huron Northern High School Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Brian Jamison echoed Hartley’s remarks, saying Kasparian’s “personality, work ethic, and character put him in a special class of people.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Championship Disc Golf Course In the Works at Columbus County Park

Columbus County Park in St. Clair County is about to become home to a state-of-the-art Disc Golf Course. The cutting-edge course design work has been completed and the construction of the course is underway.

Jeff Bauman, a professional disc golf course designer, has been charged with the creation of the course. Bauman said the course will have something for everyone, with “Gold Level” long tees and “Fun Level” short tees. He said the course will challenge the best players, yet be fun for beginners.

Bauman said fifteen volunteers were ready to work at 8:00 last Saturday morning, in 17-degree temperatures. The projected June completion date could be moved up because of the hard-working volunteers and the enthusiasm for the project. Information about volunteer opportunities can be found at the Columbus County Park Disc Golf Course Facebook page.

Bauman said that interest in disc golfing “has really exploded” as people are looking for outdoor recreation during the pandemic. Bauman recommended PDGA.com for more information about getting started with disc golfing.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland