JASON COLERO
Toronto Argonauts Manager, Community Relations
Jason Colero started as a water boy and now, 25 years later, he’s the heart and soul of Argos’ community outreach programs. The friendly and energetic Manager of Community Relations now educates youth through a myriad of programs he leads throughout the GTA.
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The Huddle-Up Bullying Prevention program recently wrapped up its ninth year in 2010, and next September it will be a decade old. As it turns out, both the program and I will celebrate a milestone in the Fall.
ArgosTV heads out into the community and talks with Jason Colero and DB Willie Middlebrooks as they visit GTA schools in the off-season. CLICK HERE to watch video.
In mid-May of this year, I received an email from my old high school, Runnymede Collegiate, saying that I have been named to the Runnymede Wall of Fame. On October 29, 2010 (unfortunately the same day as our last regular season game), I will be inducted into the Runnymede Collegiate Wall of Fame and join the likes of Ted Woloshyn (renowned Toronto media personality) as well as former Argonauts Dan Rashovich, Ernie Carnegie and the late Dick Aldrige.
When I return to Rogers Centre after receiving the honour, you’ll have to excuse the grin that will stretch from ear to ear. I am sure the grin will continue as we finish the regular season on a winning note (fingers crossed). As soon as I was told about the honour, I took a moment to reflect on what gave me a chance to begin this journey and now return to where all of this began.
I recall walking the halls of Runnymede in grade nine wondering if I would ever get through the bullying. The thoughts that had crossed my mind were quite negative and, at the very least, I would have probably quit the football team and never made a phone call to the Toronto Argonauts to work on the sidelines as a ball boy. Someone, however, changed all of that for me. That someone was Mark. He stepped into a situation where I was being bullied and ensured that I felt included on the team. He did this with very little question or hesitation, and I knew he had no idea how his actions had changed my life. It was that act that helped me begin my 26-year career with the Toronto Argonauts. It’s a career that has been so exciting and inspirational that I’ve been motivated to write a book. There will be more about the book in a future blog.
The day that I receive my honour at Runnymede I’ll need to thank a lot of people; the teachers that helped me, my family both at home and at the Argos, and a BIG thanks to Mark for including me and helping me to overcome bullying.
I often think about taking Mark to an assembly, or two, to let everyone know that if we all take a moment to perform a small act of kindness for someone today, then we could make that someone smile tomorrow – and maybe for the rest of their lives.
Until next time, make your passion your life.
Jason
Have questions or comments for Jason? You can e-mail him at jcolero@argonauts.ca.