MELVILLE - A resident of the White Bear, who used to teach in Oxbow, was recently recognized by the Melville Comprehensive School.
The Melville Comp. hosted its annual awards ceremony June 11, in which they recognized the academic and athletic achievements of their students. During this celebration of school success, Rick Haacke and three other former staff members and coaches were celebrated for their contributions, thanks to the addition of the new merit banners hung in the school gymnasium.
Haacke won the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association's Merit Award in 2017 for his work in Melville and elsewhere.
He, along with Peter Sawchuk, Bob Simpson and OJ Kozey, had key contributions to MCS’s sporting history.
In the over 50-year history of MCS, there have been four staff members recognized by the SHSAA as Merit Award winners. The Merit award is given to honour those who have provided outstanding leadership and service to the SHSAA and to the promotion of high school athletics in the province.
There are approximately 4,000 people involved as coaches in the SHSAA each year but only two to three individuals are recognized with the merit award.
"It was great to share the significance of the Merit Award and the achievements of Peter, Bob, OJ and Rick with our current staff and student body," stated a write-up from Dan Alspach. "It is important to recognize the individuals that preceded us and built the foundation for the athletic programs in our school.
"I taught with three of the four and they were great mentors in my own coaching journey, and I am grateful for their time spent at MCS. The new banners, displayed in the gym, will serve as a lasting tribute to their legacy and commitment to excellence."
