Page 7 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 90

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #90 July 2020 7

presents BEHIND

THE BENCH

An Interview with Mike Craig

Sr. Boy Football Championship
By Molly Kett
2015 with the CCVS football
team and winning the Novice C
Behind the Bench with Mike Craig
Championship 2016 with the South
By: Molly Kett Stormont Selects Hockey Team,”
Mike Craig has always loved says Craig. “However, my greatest
playing sports. In fact, he loved it memory was winning back to back
so much that he took Phys. Ed. at Provincial Titles with our CCVS
St. Lawrence University to become Special Olympic Basketball teams
a teacher so that he could teach in 2016 and 2017.”
Phys. Ed. Craig says he had a few Craig is also the Eastern Ontario
teachers who inspired him when Photo Submitted Scout for the OHL Oshawa Generals
he was growing up, and he wanted and sits on executives for South
to follow their lead and give back. Craig loves everything about
coaching, but of course there are a Stormont Minor Hockey, Lower St.
This is what launched Craig into
coaching. He started out coaching few specific things he is able to think Lawrence Minor Hockey League,
many sports through school and has of when asked. District 2 Hockey, and the Cornwall
since branched out to community “My favourite part about coaching Celtics Minor Lacrosse Association.
teams. is watching everything you have Finally, Craig truly believes in the

“I grew up playing hockey, worked up to coming together in a respect of the crowd. He says that
fastball at highly competitive levels, game. Seeing the kids’ faces when the way those who watch react to
and competed in many others during they accomplish something great is the game, can make or break how a Photo Submitted
high school. I attended St. Lawrence very rewarding. I love seeing the player feels about the sport. “Many
University on a hockey scholarship team do well and have fun,” says kids in hockey dream about going young kid to lose that dream because
after having played five seasons Craig. to the NHL. Some want to play, and of some knuckleheads in the stands,”
with the Smiths Falls Bears,” In terms of his coaching success, some want to ref. I don’t want a says Craig.
says Craig. “In fastball, I won a he says he owes it to many people.
Provincial Midget Championship Cornwall’s Oldest Paint,
“First and foremost, my father. He
with the Kanata Pirates. We went Blind & Shutter Store.
coached me in some sports growing
on to finish in the top five at the up while coaching other teams older Family owned Business Since 1988
Canadian championships. I won
than me. I watched and learned from
Silver at the Inaugural ISC 2 World Presents “Famous Sports Quotes”
him and have taken some of his
Fastball Championships with my coaching tactics and incorporated it
hometown Kemptville Thunder. into the sports today,” says Craig. “I “I believe your attitude is the most important
Through my Phys Ed background,
also have learned a lot from coaching
I have coached many school sports with Trevor Thompson. Trevor is the Lou Holtz
both at General Vanier Secondary coaching mentor for South Stormont choice you can make”.
School and Cornwall Collegiate and
Minor Hockey Association. We have
Vocational School. I have helped
coached from IP all the way up to
coach and been head coach of the Atom together. The way he handles
Football team, Basketball, Hockey,
practice and his teaching methods
and Track and Field Teams. I am also ALL BLINDS
have been very beneficial to my
the coach of our Special Olympics growth as a coach.”
teams at CCVS.”
Craig says he works to follow the
Recently, Craig has been
Long-Term Athlete Development
coaching his youngest son’s Novice
Model: “These are teaching skills UP %
Tier 4 hockey team. Overall, that will benefit the sport and provide SAVE 50
he says the season went well. TO
lifelong development. I believe that
“The novice hockey format changed teaching young athletes to be a multi-
this year and it was an adjustment sport athlete will be more beneficial SOL-R
to everyone,” says Craig. “My goal to them as they grow up. Having
was to have every player on the team kids play year-round hockey usually Since 1988
improve and most importantly have leads to burn out,” says Craig. Celebrating 32 years
fun. I had a great group of kids with Just like many coaches, Craig has
various skill range. With the other standout memories from his many Quality & Service At The Right Price!
coaches, we were able to see many Paints, Blinds, Shutters
years of dedication. “A couple of
improvements throughout the year.” 240 Pitt Street • 613-933-8924 • www.jas-mar.com
good memories are winning the SDG