BY SCOTT HADDOW
John Roberts had tears welling up in his eyes at the 40th annual House of Kin Sports Celebrity Dinner.
The 61-year-old, long time track and field and Special Olympics volunteer had trouble containing his emotions after finding out he was the winner of the William Roman Administration Award.
When talking about the achievement, Roberts' eyes began to water slightly, showing the extent to which the moment really moved him. He started volunteering at age 12 and has been a major force with the Sudbury chapter of the Ontario Special Olympics. He has also served as a track official locally, nationally and internationally for more than 35 years.
"I'm liable to break down and cry because you don't go into it for the recognition," Roberts said. "I'm lucky to be recognized. It's just unbelievable."
The other nominees were lacrosse guru John Grant Sr. and OHL hockey trainer Don Brankley.
Figure skater Jeffrey Buttle won two awards - the Fan's Choice Award (with a vote of 59 per cent) and the Amateur Elite Athlete of the Year.
Buttle was happy to be in Sudbury and felt tremendous about the fact the community still cares a lot for him and his efforts, even though he has not lived here for the past eight or nine years.
"This feels really good," Buttle said about the awards. "I had an awesome season and to have that realized by Sudbury and the House of Kin is a huge deal...a real honour. I'm proud of this."
The other nominees for the elite category were Rebecca Johnston and Devon Kershaw.
Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves head coach Peter Michelutti Jr. won the Joe Drago Coach of the Year Award, beating out former New York Islanders coach Al Arbour and Sudbury Junior Wolves coach Dave Clancy.
Michelutti Jr. was honoured for even being mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Arbour, but was more thrilled with the fact his father, Peter Michelutti Sr., was in attendance to watch him receive the award.
"My dad, my whole life, has been there for me for everything," Michelutti Jr. said. "He has taught me so much. I owe a lot to him. I was so glad he was here tonight to see me win the award. The kids on the team deserve all the credit. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here. I'm proud of the boys."
The Professional Sports Person of the Year was won by harness racing star Mike Saftic, beating out pro hockey players Andrew Desjardins and Andrew Brunette.
"It's nice to be recognized by your hometown," Saftic said.
Former Laurentian University cross-country runner Leila Angrand captured the Amateur Female Athlete of the Year, over boxer Amber Konikow and gymnast Alicia Violin.
She won the award in 2007 and was caught completely by surprise this year. Angrand has won numerous awards in her university career, but the House of Kin award means a lot more to her because it comes from the people in her hometown.
"It's so nice to be encouraged and supported by the community...it's definitely an honour," she said.
Even though Angrand's university career is over, she's planning on staying busy. In three weeks, Angrand hopes to compete at the Canadian National Championships in Windsor, which are also acting as an Olympic Time Trials event. She's currently resting an injured knee, but vows to be ready.
"I will be okay," Angrand said.
In other awards:
-Power tumbler Denis Vachon won the Amateur Male Athlete of
the Year award, beating out wrestler Sheldon Burton and track
star Andrew Ellerton.
- The Nickel Capital Wolves won the Sheridan Family Team of the
Year award, beating out the Notre-Dame girls' hockey squad
and the Sudbury Lady Wolves AA hockey club.
The event also included the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame
inductees.
For 2008, the inductees included: Lyall Beaton (Builder category); Noah Bertuzzi (Player category); Oscar Clouthier (Administration category); CTV Northern Ontario (Corporate category); Stu Duncan (Builder category); Dick Moss (Builder category); Eli Pasquale (Player category); Jack Porter (Builder category); Noel Price (Player category) and Tod Sloan (Player category).
