Almaguin boys' teams showed that their ability to
“bump, set and spike”
was just as good as or even better than the other teams'
Before the expansion of Almaguin was completed, its 1969-70 Senior Boys’ Volleyball Team had a very impressive season. In what was then known as the Muskoka-Parry Sound Secondary School Association (MPSSSA) Championships, they easily beat teams from Burks Falls, Gravenhurst and Huntsville, giving up only 33 points in six games before splitting their last two games with Parry Sound. Despite losing the one game, Almaguin earned enough points in the tournament to win the MPSSSA Senior Boys’ Volleyball Championship title. Even more impressive, they went on to win Almaguin’s first ever Georgian Bay Secondary School Association (GBSSA) Senior Boys’ Volleyball Championship title. In their pool at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Boys Volleyball Championship tournament, Almaguin won four of their six games. One former team member vividly remembers the loss to the team from Stouffville District Secondary School – one of its players had a wicked, windmill serve that was fascinating to watch, but made the ball difficult to handle. Although Almaguin advanced to the next level of the tournament, they did not have as much success in their other games to earn a spot in the OFSAA finals.
After that season, there were only three times during the 1970s in which an Almaguin boys’ volleyball team did not win at least one Muskoka-Parry Sound (MPS) Championship title. In fact, for the four year period between 1973-74 and 1976-77, Almaguin was the MPS Boys’ Volleyball Championship title holder in at least two age categories. It is worth noting that the Junior and Senior Boys’ teams each held their respective titles for three consecutive years.
Some of the future Almaguin Boys’ Volleyball teams went into their GBSSA Championship tournaments with little or no expectations of winning. They knew that their opponents had the advantage of developing their attack and defensive strategies during daily practices and city-league play. One former Junior Boys’ team member vividly remembers a GBSSA Championship game played against Banting Memorial High School. He recalls that he and his teammates had never seen quick sets to middle hitters or back sets to outside hitters executed so skillfully. When his teammates inadvertently “faked a fake set” to a hitter who then smashed the ball to the floor in their opponents’ court, Almaguin’s celebratory mid-court team huddle after the side-out was filled with stifled giggles.
For the most part, Almaguin boys’ teams showed that their ability to “bump, set and spike” was just as good or even better than the other teams at the GBSSA level. As a matter of fact, the 1970-71 Senior Boys’ and 1975-76 Junior Boys’ teams each served, smashed and blocked their way through most of their opponents, earning second place in their respective tournaments.
The success of the 1970-71 Senior Boys’ team could be attributed in part to the experience gained by Dave Balanuik and John Kunkel as members of the previous year’s GBSSA Championship team and the fact that three of its members, John Kunkel, John Torry and Ray Walton, gained experience playing for Team Northern Ontario in the 1971 Ontario Winter Games. They were recruited by the team’s coach, apparently a former national team member, who had watched them play when he officiated Almaguin’s MPS league games. The boys travelled to Sudbury for weekend practices with their Winter Games team. Although he remembers Team Northern Ontario “getting pulverized” by the competition at the Games, one of John Kunkel’s other memories of that time was eating at an American-style fast-food chain restaurant for the first time.
There were a few reasons provided to explain why, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the boys played in their bare feet. Firstly, it was identified that there were no stores in the Almaguin region that sold volleyball shoes. Secondly, even if there were, the cost of a sport-specific pair of gym shoes was likely considered prohibitive for many households at the time. Lastly, it was identified that their gym shoes did not provide the same traction to perform on the wooden floor as playing in their bare feet. Even once the boys started wearing better quality gym shoes, in between points, it was not uncommon to see them wipe dust and dirt off the bottom of their shoes with their sweaty hands.
Coach Roger Desjardins
A profile of boys’ volleyball at Almaguin would not be complete without mention of Almaguin’s own Mr. Volleyball, Roger Desjardins. Since joining the teaching staff at Almaguin in September 1969, he coached many of its MPS Championship Junior or Senior Boys’ volleyball teams. Mr. Desjardins even arranged for the Laurentian University Men’s Varsity Team to put on an exhibition to inspire the Almaguin boys’ teams of the early 1970s.
But it was not developing his players to their full potential for which he was best known. Rather it was being a vociferous and animated volleyball coach. Mr. Desjardins’ “sideline antics” were accurately captured in news articles written by former Almaguin Sports Writer, Terry Lynn Schneider. His coaching from the sidelines could be distracting for the opponents but were taken in stride by his own players.
Suffice it to say, Roger Desjardins was a passionate coach who expressed his emotions with every touch of the ball and every call made by the referee. He recalls playing an MPS league game in Parry Sound that was being officiated by what Mr. Desjardins described as a “young kid”. Mr. Desjardins did not feel that this “young kid” was making good calls against his Almaguin players. He says that he finally got so upset after one bad call that he raised his clipboard over his head and smashed it onto the floor. That certainly got everyone’s attention; however, no warning card was issued for his conduct. He learned that his actions made the Parry Sound news the next day.
Whether playing to a hometown crowd or on the road, Almaguin’s boys’ volleyball teams provided spectators with plenty of exciting moments.
After that season, there were only three times during the 1970s in which an Almaguin boys’ volleyball team did not win at least one Muskoka-Parry Sound (MPS) Championship title. In fact, for the four year period between 1973-74 and 1976-77, Almaguin was the MPS Boys’ Volleyball Championship title holder in at least two age categories. It is worth noting that the Junior and Senior Boys’ teams each held their respective titles for three consecutive years.
Some of the future Almaguin Boys’ Volleyball teams went into their GBSSA Championship tournaments with little or no expectations of winning. They knew that their opponents had the advantage of developing their attack and defensive strategies during daily practices and city-league play. One former Junior Boys’ team member vividly remembers a GBSSA Championship game played against Banting Memorial High School. He recalls that he and his teammates had never seen quick sets to middle hitters or back sets to outside hitters executed so skillfully. When his teammates inadvertently “faked a fake set” to a hitter who then smashed the ball to the floor in their opponents’ court, Almaguin’s celebratory mid-court team huddle after the side-out was filled with stifled giggles.
For the most part, Almaguin boys’ teams showed that their ability to “bump, set and spike” was just as good or even better than the other teams at the GBSSA level. As a matter of fact, the 1970-71 Senior Boys’ and 1975-76 Junior Boys’ teams each served, smashed and blocked their way through most of their opponents, earning second place in their respective tournaments.
The success of the 1970-71 Senior Boys’ team could be attributed in part to the experience gained by Dave Balanuik and John Kunkel as members of the previous year’s GBSSA Championship team and the fact that three of its members, John Kunkel, John Torry and Ray Walton, gained experience playing for Team Northern Ontario in the 1971 Ontario Winter Games. They were recruited by the team’s coach, apparently a former national team member, who had watched them play when he officiated Almaguin’s MPS league games. The boys travelled to Sudbury for weekend practices with their Winter Games team. Although he remembers Team Northern Ontario “getting pulverized” by the competition at the Games, one of John Kunkel’s other memories of that time was eating at an American-style fast-food chain restaurant for the first time.
There were a few reasons provided to explain why, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the boys played in their bare feet. Firstly, it was identified that there were no stores in the Almaguin region that sold volleyball shoes. Secondly, even if there were, the cost of a sport-specific pair of gym shoes was likely considered prohibitive for many households at the time. Lastly, it was identified that their gym shoes did not provide the same traction to perform on the wooden floor as playing in their bare feet. Even once the boys started wearing better quality gym shoes, in between points, it was not uncommon to see them wipe dust and dirt off the bottom of their shoes with their sweaty hands.
Coach Roger Desjardins
A profile of boys’ volleyball at Almaguin would not be complete without mention of Almaguin’s own Mr. Volleyball, Roger Desjardins. Since joining the teaching staff at Almaguin in September 1969, he coached many of its MPS Championship Junior or Senior Boys’ volleyball teams. Mr. Desjardins even arranged for the Laurentian University Men’s Varsity Team to put on an exhibition to inspire the Almaguin boys’ teams of the early 1970s.
But it was not developing his players to their full potential for which he was best known. Rather it was being a vociferous and animated volleyball coach. Mr. Desjardins’ “sideline antics” were accurately captured in news articles written by former Almaguin Sports Writer, Terry Lynn Schneider. His coaching from the sidelines could be distracting for the opponents but were taken in stride by his own players.
Suffice it to say, Roger Desjardins was a passionate coach who expressed his emotions with every touch of the ball and every call made by the referee. He recalls playing an MPS league game in Parry Sound that was being officiated by what Mr. Desjardins described as a “young kid”. Mr. Desjardins did not feel that this “young kid” was making good calls against his Almaguin players. He says that he finally got so upset after one bad call that he raised his clipboard over his head and smashed it onto the floor. That certainly got everyone’s attention; however, no warning card was issued for his conduct. He learned that his actions made the Parry Sound news the next day.
Whether playing to a hometown crowd or on the road, Almaguin’s boys’ volleyball teams provided spectators with plenty of exciting moments.
Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions
Midget Boys: 1972-73, 1973-74, 1976-77
Junior Boys: 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1978-79
Senior Boys: 1969-70, 1970-71, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1976-77
Georgian Bay Secondary School Association Champions
Senior Boys: 1969-70
Midget Boys: 1972-73, 1973-74, 1976-77
Junior Boys: 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1978-79
Senior Boys: 1969-70, 1970-71, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1976-77
Georgian Bay Secondary School Association Champions
Senior Boys: 1969-70
1967-68
Junior: Back row from left: Mr. Gary Hammond (Coach), Bob Wiseman, Robert Brown, Allen Shaw, Kelly Pinkerton, Ross Mitchell. Front: Brian Fitzsimmons, Ron Maeck, Steve Palmer, John Hiley, Bill Morris
Intermediate: Standing from left: Eric Ojala, Eldon MacIntosh, Carl Minor, Don Stockman, Doug Holt, Doug Webb, John Kunkel. Front: Mr. Gary Hammond (Coach)
Senior: From left: John Driver, John Pearson, Bob Thompson, Percy Holotuk, Robbie Milne
1968-69
Junior: Back row from left: Ken Hewitt, Ross Mitchell, Doug Holt, Eldon MacIntosh, Mike Labine, Mr. Gary Hammond (Coach). Front: Richard Gore, John Kunkel, Bill Morris, Ron Maeck, Ken Maeck
Senior: From left: Leverne Yandon, Eric Ojala, David Conlon, Joe Major, Robert Elliott, Don Stockman, Doug Webb, John Driver. Front: Mr. Gary Hammond (Coach)
1969-70
Junior: Back row from left: Bernie Still (Manager), Bill Black, Bob Crosby, Norm Dyer, Peter Driscoll, Ralph Labine, Norm Webb, Mr. Gary Hammond (Coach). Front: Malcolm Christie, Frank Hill, Lloyd MacLachlan, Tom Piper, Guy McBride. Absent: Dan Palmer
Intermediate: Standing from left: Ed Spencer (Manager), Bill Morris, Ken Hewitt, Tom Driscoll, Ray Walton, Ron Maeck, Jim Simpson, Mr. Gary Hammond (Coach). Front: Ross McBride
Senior MPS and GBSSA Champions: Back row from left: Darrel Robertson (Manager), Dave Balanuik, Doug Webb, Bob Thompson, Fred Conroy, Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach). Front: John Kunkel, John Piekarski, Ken Maeck, Eric Ojala
Coach Roger Desjardins still prizes his championship jacket.
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Captain Doug Webb accepts the plaque on behalf of the team.
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1970-71
Junior: Front row from left: Steve Leggett, Rob Rennie, Brian Johnson, Curt Gutjhar, Liam Hill. Back: Jim Mannella, Doug More, Vinnie Humphrey, Chris Lusty, Brian Bennison, Mr. Atkinson (Coach). Absent: Lloyd MacLachlan, Tom Aultman
Intermediate: Front: Mike Tuffy. Standing from left: Mike Burke, Brady McIntosh, Bob Crosby, John Hiley, Bob Burrows, Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach). Absent: Ralph Labine
Senior Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions and Runners Up to the Georgian Bay Championship From: John Kunkel. Standing from left: Roger Marshall, John Torry, Ray Walton, Dave Balanuik, Bill Morris, Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach). Absent: John Driver
AHSS students part of the Northern Ontario Volleyball team that competed in the 1971 Ontario Winter Games: Front: John Kunkel, Standing: Ray Walton, John Torry
1971-72
Junior: Seated from left: Ken Peebles, John Quick, Rae Dobbie, John Arkwright, Paul McGrath. Standing: Mr. Jim MacLachlan (Coach), David Epp, Rawn McBride, Jim Rheubottom, Peter Purdon, Terry Larochelle. Absent: Joe Lamb, Mike Kennedy, Marty Muir
Intermediate: Seated from left: Malcolm Christie, Brian Bennison, Lloyd MacLachlan, Steve Piekarski, Curt Gutjhar. Standing: Frank Hill, Bob Bonser, Norm Raynor, Ralph Labine, Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach). Absent: Tom Aultman, Richard Paul
Senior: From left: Bob Baechler (Manager), John Kunkel, Mike Burke, Brady MacIntosh, Bob Crosby, Tom Driscoll, Mike Tuffy, Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach). Absent: Bob Burrows
1973-74
Midget Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Back row from left: Mr. Jim MacLachlan (Coach), Kirby MacIntosh, Jeff Hummel, Peter Kidd, John Forrington, Jim Burns. Front: Eddie Desjardins, Jim Farrell, Doug Lamb, Perry Arnold, Bobby Attwell, Peter Murdoch, Billy Lang
Junior Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Back from from left: Jerry Perreault, Bernie Hoffman, Wayne Dellandrea, Brian Johnston, Frank Thoma, Peter Piper, Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach). Front: Howard Smith, Dalton Pinkerton, John Quick, Jim Leggett, Brian Belle
Senior: From left: Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach), Curt Gutjahr, Ray Lamb, Lee Thoma, Frank Hill. Absent: Steve Hanselman, Jim Mannella, Richard Robertson
1975-76
Midget: Back row from left: Mr. Haywood (Coach), Carey Chapman, Ward Whitehead, John Walker, Delly Scarlett, John Ibbitson, Paul Preston, Jim St. Pierre, Vern Dawney, Ron Mechefske, Tony Brooks, Paul Thompson, Mr. Gerry May (Coach). Front: Tim Fisher, Steve Hewitt, Barry Brooks, Jim Copeman, Brian Adams, Kerry Carnevale, Jimmy Forrington, Peter Caldwell, Gerry Harkness.
Junior Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Back from left: Bob Woodward (Manager), John Forrington, Jeff Hummel, Kirby MacIntosh, Danny Lacombe, Peter Murdoch, Ian Hain, Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach). Front: Jim Farrell, Bill Lang, Ed Desjardins, Brian Dellandrea
Senior Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: From left: Keith Milne, John Quick, Brian Bell, Johnnie Jones, Peter Purdon, Peter Piper, Paul Peebles, Mr. McCord (Coach)
1976-77
Midget Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Front row from left: Kevin Coombes, Ian Kelly, Mark Downey, Paul Payne, Darryl Percival, Paul Toswell. Back: Trevor Harvey, Steve Anderson, Kevin Tough, Andy Osborne, Paul Thompson, Mark Odrowski, Joey Piekarski, Steve Hewitt, Stephen Anderson, Mr. Haywood (Coach)
Junior: Front row from left: Tim Fisher (Manager), Kenny Young, Peter Caldwell, Barry Brooks. Standing: Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach), Ron Mechesfske, Brian Dellandrea, Rob McLean, Danny Lacombe, Ian Hain, David Therrien, Ed Desjardins
Senior Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions: Front row from left: Bill Lang, Jim Farrell, Tim Kelly. Back: Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach), Paul Peebles, Bill Pledge, Jim Burns, Brian Bell, Peter Murdoch, John Forrington, Tim Fisher (Manager)
1977-78
Midget: Back row from left: Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach), David Peters, Danny Desjardins, Dennis Spencer, Keith Karn, Jamie Payne, Paul Toswell. Front: Babs Aiyede, Mark Ferrier, Tom Joron, Tim Kerr, Mike Guillmette. Absent: Lanny Dennis
(Junior: Back row from left: Mr Haywood (Coach), Carey Chapman, Peter Caldwell, Ken Young, Mark Odrowski, Steve Hewitt, Brian Adams, Tim Fisher (Manager). Front: Steve Anderson, Ian Kelly, Trevor Harvey, (unknown), Hogue Hill, Barry Brooks. Missing: Jim Forrington, John Ibbitson, Kevin Tough
Senior: Brian Dellandrea, Jim Farrell, David Therrien, Dan LaCombe, Rob McLean, Bill Pledge, John Forrington, John Savill, Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach). Absent: Brian Bell, Paul Peebles
1979-80
Midget: Back row from left: Rob Kelly, Greg Main, Dave Carter, Chard Foreshew, Vince Deschamps, Peter Anderson. Front: Dave Fetterley, Ron Tickner, Steve Sandor, Barry Stanley, Mike Menard, Lyle Murdy. Absent: Mr. Haywood (Coach)
Junior: Back row from left: Jamie Payne, Paul Toswell, Dan Desjardins, Tim Kerr. Front: Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach), Mark Yarranton, Doug Harvey, Babs Aiyede. Absent: Russ Dachuk, Ed McKenny, Terry Owens
Senior: Back row from left: Mr. Roger Desjardins (Coach), Darryl Percival, Andy Osborne, Rick Dubois, Ward Whitehead. Front: Steve Anderson, Mark Downey, Trevor Harvey, Rob Therrien