On this day eleven years ago we said goodbye to the founder of our program Don “Pete” Petersen. He was a friend, a mentor, confident, visionary and a leader in every sense of the word. He had the vision as a 17 year old caretaker at St. Patrick’s School on Patrick Street to open up the back door of the school and invite the children in his neighbourhood in to play some basketball. From that selfless gesture the league that now has his name was born. A league that started with four teams now has 38 teams, 474 players and 100+ volunteers making it all happen.
His smile, his laugh, and his resounding “Hey brother” greeting still resonate in our memories of this man. He taught all of us his values of inclusion, and to be in the league for one reason only – to be there “for the kids”. We were all so lucky to have the man that started it all around to listen, to observe and to give guidance to us whenever he thought we needed it.
In the later years of his life he would take his place in the North east corner of the St. Pats gym and from there he would greet a steady stream of parents as well as current and former players coming over to visit with him, and just be near him.
Those of us that learned from him, and those that are learning from us, remain committed to keeping the vision he had when he opened the back door of the school alive- to continue to provide a safe and affordable place for the children in our community to learn the game we love, and to experience the true joy of being part of a team can be. So if you are a player, remember why there is a “Pete” patch on your uniform, and then play the game with passion and have fun doing it. Pete’s still guiding us! Roland
