Full Circle For Argos Colero

JASON COLERO – DIRECTOR, EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

TORONTO – 29 years ago this September, I was a 4-foot, 11 inches tall, 85 lbs. student in grade nine. I dreamt of playing football at a high school here in Toronto. Having never donned a helmet, I had no idea as to what happens in high school football. My experiences were not fun to say the least. Not because of the game but because of the mean treatment I received in the form of ‘hazing’.

If it were not for the strength of one player in Grade 10 standing up for me, because he recognized my perseverance to make the team, I doubt I’d be here today. However, as soon as I loved football and wanted to play in my grade ten year, to my disappointment, the team was folded and would be shelved for 29 years.

This year, as part of Level the Playing Field, presented by Tim Hortons, that Toronto high school – Runnymede Collegiate – will once again field a football team. I will disclose that although I was excited to hear that my old high school applied for the grant, as per policies, I had to declare my conflict and be exempt from the vote. But when they were selected by the committee I had a smile from ear to ear. It would be a Level the Playing Field journey with a unique twist.

Recently, we had an opportunity to take the Runnymede football team to Tim Hortons camp in St. Georges, Ontario. Like many of the Level the Playing Field teams in the past, Runnymede had an opportunity to participate in the leadership activities that bring a team together as well as watch the Argonauts game together. As we sat and watched on Saturday September 21^st, the team and the Argonauts staff present held their breath hoping to see their Argos victorious against the team with the best record in the CFL. More importantly, to see how their player ambassador, Andre Durie played. Andre scored on a goal line play and the camp was on its feet. The room then went silent to hear Andre on national TV immediately following the score. As he spoke the words, “shout out to Runnymede Collegiate. Welcome back!” you would have thought the Runnymede Red Ravens had won their own Grey Cup.

I’m not going to lie, I was very proud to see one of my current teammates shout out to a school where my old teammates played. October 4^th, at our home game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, will be Runnymede’s day as their team accompanies the current Argonauts through the fan tunnel. Members of the staff, student body, family, alumni and friends will be on hand to witness the return of Red Ravens as they are introduced to the large Argonauts crowd expected to pile into the stadium. Later this year, the team will have a pep rally, homecoming and participate in the Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program, presented by Tim Hortons. That’s when I will be lucky enough to present my grade nine hazing experience to the current students of Runnymede with the hope that it never happens to anyone on this year’s team – or ever again.

Since we’ve returned football to my alma mater, I’ve learned that Runnymede football had quite the storied history linked to the Toronto Argonauts. Former Argonauts that played for Runnymede include Dan Rashovich, Teddy Toogood, Ernie Carnegie and Dick Aldridge. These names all line the Runnymede Wall of Fame. And as of 2010, because of my work in our local schools, there hangs my picture in the halls that I was once afraid to walk.

October 4^th could be a great day. The Argonauts could clinch a first place finish and there will be one more person who will have chills as Runnymede and the Argos run out together that day.

“Make your passion your Life and no one can take that away.”

-Jason