The OFSAA TIMEOUT Podcast

Next Stop: The President's Office

It’s a Presidential Roundtable! Two former OFSAA presidents reflect on their own personal experiences as a student-athlete, coach, convenor and as president within the organization. Margie McGill and Ian Press share insight on their leadership style and how it led to their own success in the president’s role. What do they see as current challenges facing school sport? Who do they put on their own “OFSAA Mount Rushmore”? As expected, both do a wonderful job of bringing to light the values of school sport in a fitting discussion as we celebrate 75 years of OFSAA.

Episode #16 - All In The Student-Athlete Family!

Meet the Wessinger family!  Students Jack, Reese and Riley Wessinger attend Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School in Collingwood and each one just finished competing at OFSAA championships this winter. Jack hit the Osler Bluff ski slopes at the OFSAA Alpine Championship while older siblings Reese and Riley took to the pool in Windsor at the OFSAA Swimming Championship at the end of February. Who do they credit for their athletic ambitions? What was their favourite part of the OFSAA experience? With the number of sports they play, it’s no surprise that they will be competing for OFSAA medals this spring!

Episode #15 - Hey, It's Almost Time To Celebrate 75 Years of OFSAA!

Long-time OFSAA advocates Heather Chambers and Barry Mutrie hint at some of the fun initiatives we can expect during OFSAA's 75th Anniversary in 2023-24. Both are well-connected members of the Anniversary Planning Committee. As two individuals who have done it all with school sports during their life, both also reflect on their own experiences while sharing meaningful advice for aspiring high school teacher-coaches. This motivating round-table discussion will make you want to grab a whistle and a clipboard while rallying the team together!

Episode #14 - Joe Siddall - From The Sandlots To The Show

Well, you don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy the roundtable on this particular show – but – Toronto Blue Jays fans will most certainly enjoy it. Blue Jays Sportsnet Central analyst Joe Siddall checks in and delivers messages for all coaches drawn from his years as a high school coach in his hometown of Windsor after a career in the big leagues. Joe started in the Southwestern Ontario baseball sandlots as a kid and his hard work and talent took him all the way to “The Show” with Montreal, Florida and Detroit in the 90s. His career path of seizing opportunities and stories of readiness will undoubtedly have an impact on listeners. Long-time OFSAA Baseball builder, Brian Riddell, is alongside on the conversation. Brian has a passion for school sport and his encyclopedic baseball knowledge shines through here. We hope that you enjoy this Siddall and Riddell episode.

Episode #13 - Teacher-Coach Harry Lumley...A 56-Year Career!

Half A Century At The Coaching Helm! Are you ready for some football? Harry Lumley believes structure and fairness are the pillars to his coaching success. He should know - he's only been coaching high school football in Windsor for 56 years! A 2012 inductee of the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame, Harry, 76, has won 20 city championships as either an assistant or head coach. His gridiron squads have been frequent participants at the OFSAA Football Bowl Series Festival in the 21st century. How did he first get started along the coaching path? What coaches did he idolize up close and from afar? Did we mention that he's still holding down the head coach position at W.F. Herman Academy Secondary? Football enthusiasts and coaches will certainly enjoy the candidness and the story-telling of Harry Lumley as well as the reflections of this episode's co-host Peter Morris.