Petoskey's Champion earns 40th annual Glenn H. Casey award

PETOSKEY — Gene Champion never did anything for recognition.

He never did all his work with Magnus Park in Petoskey and the Petoskey Winter Sports Park for pats on the back or plaques.

Champion did it, because that’s what his heart was drawn to.

Those around the Petoskey community noticed Champion’s work within the Petoskey Parks and Recreation programs and now he’s recognized by that department as the 40th recipient of the annual Glenn H. Casey Award.

“It feels good to be appreciated,” said a humbled Champion recently after receiving the honor. “What I enjoyed most working at the Winter Sports Park and Magnus was the kids.”

The Glenn H. Casey Award was established in 1981 to recognize a recreation volunteer who has exhibited an outstanding commitment to the city’s recreation program.

Casey was the original chairman of the Parks and Recreation department.

Champion spent 27 years working at the Petoskey Winter Sports Park, along with 25 at Magnus Park after retiring as a teacher in Petoskey.

He also spent 17 years as an assistant boys tennis coach under PHS Hall of Fame coach, Ralph Tramontini, staying involved with kids that way.

“I didn’t intend to make a career of it, but didn’t want a full time job after retiring from teaching,” said Champion. “Our family had been spending so much time at the Winter Sports Park, my wife had taught lessons down there and my daughters were down there a lot.”

Champion was known for his ideas that would flood in on how to make improvements to both areas, one of the biggest being the improved ice quality at the Winter Sports Park.

“I was always concerned about having the best ice down there,” said Champion with a laugh. “With a science background, I would understand a few more things about freezing water. The ice kept cracking and we were having temperatures around zero, so I explained what was happening.

“I had made ice in my front yard, like a lot of skating fathers have done, for figure skating and hockey. Then when I started working at the Winter Sports Park, I started learning more things too.”

Champion hung things up with both programs and officially retired around three years back, just before the pandemic hit, taking his time to focus on important things like family and fishing.

Petoskey Parks and Rec. Director Kendall Klingelsmith was on hand at the brief ceremony last week to recognize and present Champion with the award.

“He’d put in long hours,” said Klingelsmith. “I still get ambushed down at Magnus because Gene’s not with us down there anymore. We appreciate you Gene, we appreciate everything you’ve contributed. Don’t stop with your ideas.”

Recent honorees of the Glenn H. Casey Award also include: Dennis and Karen Starkey (2019); Karen Flynn (2018); Allen Hansen (2017); Dick Harbaugh (2016); Dave Hansen (2015); Dree Lo (2014); Jack Taylor (2013); George Newson (2012); Gary Hunter (2011); and Paul Reed (2010).

Contact Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny