Behind The Scoreboard – More Than A Hockey Story

Garden City NY

08 October, 2021

10:05 AM

Description

My philosophy is "Everything I ever needed to know about business I learned on the sports field." From Behind The Scoreboard, I feature the sports stories that tell us much more than simply who won or lost. These personal and inspiring experiences of grade school, high school, college, other amateur and even pro athletes allow all of us to reflect a little more on what is important in life. ~ James C. Metzger, Chairman and CEO, The Whitmore Agency _______ Call Me Indian Frederick "Fred" Sasakamoose was a hockey player. But, he was so much more. Fred overcame abuse as a child and he became one of the first Canadian Indigenous players in the National Hockey League. Eventually, he became chief of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation in Saskatchewan and then he helped develop sports programs for the children that included hockey, track and field, soccer and basketball. Recognized for his work, Fred was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Native Hockey Hall of Fame and other halls and organizations. He also was named a member of the Order of Canada (the second highest honor for merit in the system of orders, decorations and medals in that country). When Fred passed away from coronavirus, his memoir, Call Me Indian, was receiving final edits. The book’s description includes this excerpt: “…[an] extraordinary man's journey to reclaim pride in an identity and a heritage that had previously been used against him.” Read more about Fred Sasakamoose and his accomplishment in my blog.