Memorial Awards / Récompenses Commémoratives
Each year Softball New Brunswick presents three Memorial Awards in honour of Charlie O’Brien, Henry Kelly, and Paul Dawson. These awards are given to the individual that best exemplifies the traits and commitment to softball that Charlie, Henry, and Paul possessed. We proudly present these awards at the SNB Hall of Fame to players, coaches, umpires and/or volunteers, thereby showing our appreciation for their contributions to the sport of softball. The criteria for these awards is available below.
CHARLIE O'BRIEN AWARD
The Charlie O’Brien Memorial Award has been presented annually by Softball New Brunswick since his passing in 2004. It is presented to the person that best exemplifies the traits and commitment to softball that Charlie possessed.
Charlie has been described as one of the most likeable men in sport. He was a dedicated servant to the sport of softball and a lifelong fan of sports in general. As the secretary/treasurer of Softball New Brunswick for over 30 years, Charlie was referred to by some as the “million-dollar man” for the sheer volume of financial transactions that he tracked. Charlie was a member of three sports hall of fames, inducted into the Softball Canada Hall of Fame in 1994, the Softball New Brunswick Hall of Fame in 1996, and The Saint John Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also named Saint John Sportsperson of the Year in 1989 and the Sport New Brunswick Volunteer of the Year in 1992.
Charlie served as the Softball New Brunswick liaison to Softball Canada at many local, provincial, and national tournaments. He was one of the founding organizers of the “Play Ball for St. Joseph’s” fundraiser and a proud member of the organizing committee that brought the 1978 Senior Men’s Nationals to Saint John. He served for many years as the President/Coordinator for the Saint John Softball Association. Charlie served on the organizing committee for The Canada Games, held in Saint John in 1985.
Charlie had the ability to communicate with anyone. He was very kind and easy going and never said a harsh word about anyone. He often took time to call and send best wishes if friends were going through hard times. He had an incredible sense of humor and could bring a smile to the face of the most serious individuals. His enthusiasm and cheerful manner was infectious. Charlie was not only a dedicated and valued volunteer, but he also demonstrated his positive traits of kindness, caring and good cheer in his role as husband, father, and grandfather.
HENRY KELLY AWARD
Henry Kelly, the name was synonymous with softball in Moncton, New Brunswick and even across Canada for many years as a coach, builder, official and player. Few have dedicated as much time and energy as Mr. Kelly did to the sport of softball. He was acknowledged for his contribution by being named into the Moncton Wall of Fame, Softball N.B. Hall of Fame, Sports N.B. Hall of Fame and the Canadian Softball Hall of Fame.
It is not the number of wins or championships that he is remembered for, even though there are many, it is the invaluable life lessons he taught his players. He was a man of enormous character and not only a gentleman but a gentle man. He instilled in his players fair play, dedication, commitment, work ethic, teamwork, focus, discipline and to win with class and lose without excuse. These life lessons taught by Mr. Kelly have lived on in his players long after the games were over.
PAUL DAWSON AWARD
Paul Dawson was an original member of the Nelson Softball Association beginning back in 1968. He lived and breathed Softball. Paul was the driving force behind the construction of two softball fields in Miramichi - the Gerald King Memorial and at the Strawberry Marsh. He took on the role of President of the Nelson Softball Association from 1970-1978, while synonymously sitting as President of Softball New Brunswick (1972-1979). During that time, he was involved in organizing and hosting five national championship tournaments in the Nelson-Miramichi area, as well as many more across the province. Not only did Paul act as President throughout these years, he also coached and managed numerous teams representing New Brunswick at Canadian Championships. Paul moved on to become the Vice-President of Softball Canada from 1980-1982. During this time, he represented Softball Canada at both National and International events. He later moved on to become an MLA of Miramichi-Newcastle, Minister, Councillor for the City of Miramichi, and finally Deputy Mayor of the City. Paul is a member of both the Softball New Brunswick (1994) and Softball Canada Halls of Fame (2002).
Nominations for these awards must be completed by September 1st of the qualifying year, and sent via email to the SNB office for review and selection by the Awards Committee.
If you are unable to submit your nomination via email, please print out the application form, complete the requirements, and mail to the SNB office:
Attention: Awards Committee
Softball New Brunswick Inc.
Ch. 900 Hanwell Road, Suite 31
Fredericton, NB E3B 6A2
executivedirector@softballnb.ca
Memorial Award Nomination Criteria
Chaque année, Softball Nouveau-Brunswick présente trois prix commémoratifs en l'honneur de Charlie O'Brien, Henry Kelly, et Paul Dawson. Ces prix sont décernés à la personne qui illustre le mieux les traits et l'engagement envers le softball que possédaient Charlie, Henry, et Paul. Nous présentons fièrement ces prix au Temple de la renommée de SNB aux joueurs, entraîneurs, arbitres et/ou bénévoles, démontrant ainsi notre appréciation pour leurs contributions au sport du softball. Les critères pour ces prix sont disponibles ci-dessous.
PRIX CHARLIE O'BRIEN
The Charlie O’Brien Memorial Award has been presented annually by Softball New Brunswick since his passing in 2004. It is presented to the person that best exemplifies the traits and commitment to softball that Charlie possessed.
Charlie has been described as one of the most likeable men in sport. He was a dedicated servant to the sport of softball and a lifelong fan of sports in general. As the secretary/treasurer of Softball New Brunswick for over 30 years, Charlie was referred to by some as the “million-dollar man” for the sheer volume of financial transactions that he tracked. Charlie was a member of three sports hall of fames, inducted into the Softball Canada Hall of Fame in 1994, the Softball New Brunswick Hall of Fame in 1996, and The Saint John Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also named Saint John Sportsperson of the Year in 1989 and the Sport New Brunswick Volunteer of the Year in 1992.
Charlie served as the Softball New Brunswick liaison to Softball Canada at many local, provincial, and national tournaments. He was one of the founding organizers of the “Play Ball for St. Joseph’s” fundraiser and a proud member of the organizing committee that brought the 1978 Senior Men’s Nationals to Saint John. He served for many years as the President/Coordinator for the Saint John Softball Association. Charlie served on the organizing committee for The Canada Games, held in Saint John in 1985.
Charlie had the ability to communicate with anyone. He was very kind and easy going and never said a harsh word about anyone. He often took time to call and send best wishes if friends were going through hard times. He had an incredible sense of humor and could bring a smile to the face of the most serious individuals. His enthusiasm and cheerful manner was infectious. Charlie was not only a dedicated and valued volunteer, but he also demonstrated his positive traits of kindness, caring and good cheer in his role as husband, father, and grandfather.
Le prix commémoratif Charlie O'Brien est présenté chaque année par Softball Nouveau-Brunswick depuis son décès en 2004. Il est présenté à la personne qui illustre le mieux les traits et l'engagement envers le softball que Charlie possédait.
Charlie a été décrit comme l'un des hommes les plus sympathiques du sport. Il était un serviteur dévoué du sport du softball et un fan de sport en général depuis toujours. En tant que secrétaire/trésorier de Softball Nouveau-Brunswick pendant plus de 30 ans, Charlie était désigné par certains comme « l'homme à un million de dollars » pour le volume considérable de transactions financières qu'il suivait. Charlie était membre de trois temples de la renommée des sports, intronisé au Temple de la renommée de Softball Canada en 1994, au Temple de la renommée de Softball Nouveau-Brunswick en 1996 et au Temple de la renommée des sports de Saint John en 2003. Il a également été nommé Saint John Sportsperson de l'année en 1989 et le bénévole de l'année de Sport Nouveau-Brunswick en 1992.
Charlie a servi comme agent de liaison de Softball Nouveau-Brunswick auprès de Softball Canada lors de nombreux tournois locaux, provinciaux et nationaux. Il a été l'un des organisateurs fondateurs de la collecte de fonds "Play Ball for St. Joseph's" et un fier membre du comité organisateur qui a amené les championnats nationaux seniors masculins de 1978 à Saint John. Il a servi pendant de nombreuses années comme président/coordonnateur de la Saint John Softball Association. Charlie a siégé au comité organisateur des Jeux du Canada, tenus à Saint John en 1985.
Charlie avait la capacité de communiquer avec n'importe qui. Il était très gentil et facile à vivre et n'a jamais dit un mot dur à propos de qui que ce soit. Il prenait souvent le temps d'appeler et d'envoyer ses meilleurs vœux si des amis traversaient des moments difficiles. Il avait un sens de l'humour incroyable et pouvait faire sourire les personnes les plus sérieuses. Son enthousiasme et sa bonne humeur étaient contagieux. Charlie était non seulement un bénévole dévoué et apprécié, mais il a également démontré ses traits positifs de gentillesse, d'attention et de bonne humeur dans son rôle de mari, de père et de grand-père.
PRIX HENRY KELLY
Henry Kelly, the name was synonymous with softball in Moncton, New Brunswick and even across Canada for many years as a coach, builder, official and player. Few have dedicated as much time and energy as Mr. Kelly did to the sport of softball. He was acknowledged for his contribution by being named into the Moncton Wall of Fame, Softball N.B. Hall of Fame, Sports N.B. Hall of Fame and the Canadian Softball Hall of Fame.
It is not the number of wins or championships that he is remembered for, even though there are many, it is the invaluable life lessons he taught his players. He was a man of enormous character and not only a gentleman but a gentle man. He instilled in his players fair play, dedication, commitment, work ethic, teamwork, focus, discipline and to win with class and lose without excuse. These life lessons taught by Mr. Kelly have lived on in his players long after the games were over.
Henry Kelly, le nom était synonyme de softball à Moncton, au Nouveau-Brunswick et même à travers le Canada pendant de nombreuses années en tant qu'entraîneur, bâtisseur, officiel et joueur. Peu de gens ont consacré autant de temps et d'énergie que M. Kelly au sport du softball. Il a été reconnu pour sa contribution en étant nommé au Mur de la renommée de Moncton, Softball N.B. Temple de la renommée, Sports N.-B. Temple de la renommée et le Temple de la renommée du softball canadien.
Ce n'est pas le nombre de victoires ou de championnats dont on se souvient, même s'il y en a beaucoup, ce sont les précieuses leçons de vie qu'il a enseignées à ses joueurs. C'était un homme d'un caractère énorme et non seulement un gentleman mais un homme doux. Il a inculqué à ses joueurs le fair-play, le dévouement, l'engagement, l'éthique de travail, le travail d'équipe, la concentration, la discipline et gagner avec classe et perdre sans excuse. Ces leçons de vie enseignées par M. Kelly se sont perpétuées chez ses joueurs longtemps après la fin des matchs.
PRIX PAUL DAWSON
Paul Dawson was an original member of the Nelson Softball Association beginning back in 1968. He lived and breathed Softball. Paul was the driving force behind the construction of two softball fields in Miramichi - the Gerald King Memorial and at the Strawberry Marsh. He took on the role of President of the Nelson Softball Association from 1970-1978, while synonymously sitting as President of Softball New Brunswick (1972-1979). During that time, he was involved in organizing and hosting five national championship tournaments in the Nelson-Miramichi area, as well as many more across the province. Not only did Paul act as President throughout these years, he also coached and managed numerous teams representing New Brunswick at Canadian Championships. Paul moved on to become the Vice-President of Softball Canada from 1980-1982. During this time, he represented Softball Canada at both National and International events. He later moved on to become an MLA of Miramichi-Newcastle, Minister, Councillor for the City of Miramichi, and finally Deputy Mayor of the City. Paul is a member of both the Softball New Brunswick (1994) and Softball Canada Halls of Fame (2002).
Paul Dawson était un membre original de la Nelson Softball Association depuis 1968. Il a vécu et respiré le softball. Paul a été le moteur de la construction de deux terrains de softball à Miramichi - le Gerald King Memorial et le Strawberry Marsh. Il a assumé le rôle de président de la Nelson Softball Association de 1970 à 1978, tout en étant synonyme de président de Softball Nouveau-Brunswick (1972-1979). Pendant ce temps, il a participé à l'organisation et à la tenue de cinq tournois de championnats nationaux dans la région de Nelson-Miramichi, ainsi que de nombreux autres à travers la province. Non seulement Paul a agi à titre de président tout au long de ces années, mais il a également entraîné et dirigé de nombreuses équipes représentant le Nouveau-Brunswick aux Championnats canadiens. Paul est devenu vice-président de Softball Canada de 1980 à 1982. Pendant ce temps, il a représenté Softball Canada lors d'événements nationaux et internationaux. Il est ensuite devenu député provincial de Miramichi-Newcastle, ministre, conseiller de la ville de Miramichi et enfin maire adjoint de la ville. Paul est membre du Temple de la renommée de Softball Nouveau-Brunswick (1994) et de Softball Canada (2002).
Les nominations pour ces prix doivent être complétées au plus tard le 1 septembre de l'année de qualification et envoyées par courriel au bureau de SNB pour examen et sélection par le comité des prix.
Si vous n'êtes pas en mesure de soumettre votre candidature par courriel, veuillez imprimer le formulaire de demande, remplir les exigences et le poster au bureau de SNB :
À l'attention du comité des récompenses
Softball Nouveau Brunswick Inc.
Ch. 900 Hanwell Road, Suite 31
Fredericton, NB E3B 6A2
executivedirector@softballnb.ca
