Local coach rewarded for dedication to school sports
The award is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution toward the overall development and education of young people.
Colautti was given the award at the 2008 Coaches' Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Toronto District Colleges Athletic Association (TDCAA).
"It was a lovely presentation," Colautti said. "It was very nice."
The award came as a surprise.
"It was very humbling," he said. "He (Pete Beach) stood for sportsmanship and fair play and doing things for the benefit of the kids and I'd like to think that I do some of those things."
Pete Beach was a former executive director of OFSAA whose life was dedicated to sport and helping others, especially young people, achieve their full potential. Under his leadership, OFSAA expanded from seven associations to 15 and from 300 schools to 580.
At the award ceremony, Colautti said he was surrounded by the award's previous winners.
"They call up all the past winners of the award when you win it," he said. "They circle all around you so it's kind of neat."
Maybe it's not surprising that Colautti hasn't coached many winning teams.
"That was part of my speech," he said. "Maybe that's why I was nominated too. I think my hockey team has won one game in the last two years. You do it for the kids."
Colautti said he loves his job. He's been teaching and coaching 27 years, 24 of those at Pope John Paul.
"I come to work every day and work with great people," he said. "They make it easy. It's very rewarding."
His win hasn't gone unnoticed by his students.
"Having students come up and shake my hand meant a lot," he said. "Even kids in the hall that I don't even know said 'way to go, sir'. That was nice of them to do that."
