Former Spartans coach honoured with park name

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This article was published 11/6/2018 (667 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

 

On June 4, a local park was renamed in honour of a local football legend.

 

A group including Sisler High School principal George Heshka, Winnipeg High School Football League commissioner Rick Henkewich, and Coun. Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas), together with Sisler Spartan Alumni and Hall of Famers Bud Ulrich and Ken Lazaruk, as well as several Sisler High teachers and coaches, unveiled a new sign to honour former Sisler Spartans head football coach Rick Hudson. Northwood Park, located west of Sisler High School (1360 Redwood Ave.) between Burrows Avenue and Redwood Avenue, was renamed to Rick Hudson Park.

"Hudson had a way of inspiring every student who played for him to achieve their personal level of greatness and feel that their contributions were important to their teammates," Henkewich said. "I am honoured to have coached with and against Rick and even more honoured to call him my friend."

Hudson became the head football coach at Sisler High School in the fall of 1991 and led the Spartans Football Club to five championship appearances and two titles in the 1990s. He mentored many coaches in the WHSFL, and through his tireless efforts, Rick was responsible for the WHSFL tiering system which has been copied across the country. 

Hudson has been inducted into the WHSFL Hall of Fame and named the Football Manitoba Coach of the Year by the WHSFL and Football Manitoba in 2012. Later this year September, Rick will be inducted into the Manitoba Football Hall of Fame.

"It is with great pride that we are able to honour and commemorate a football legend," Pagtakhan said. "It is important that we capture moments like these where we can learn about the history of great Winnipeggers, such as Hudson. I want the future students of Sisler High School, and residents of the Burrows-Keewatin neighbourhood to remember our community leaders who make the Point Douglas Ward and the rest of Winnipeg proud to call home."