Founding Principles…

The Bob Adams Foundation was established in November 1983, in co-operation with the Saskatchewan Track and Field Association. While the Foundation is intended to compliment the program of the Track and Field Association, it is autonomous in its stated goals, finances and functioning.

The theme of the Foundation is the pursuit of excellence through track and field. The Foundation is intended to recognize high quality performance by Saskatchewan athletes, coaches and officials. It is named for Bob Adams who achieved excellence as an international competitor, coach and official. The symbol is the classic figure of a discus thrower from Ancient Greek sculpture, the embodiment of “arete” a word to convey excellence in the physical, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of life.

The Foundation was incorporated (No. 3499) as a non-profit organization under the Co-operatives Act for the province of Saskatchewan. The constitution and bylaws of the Foundation were adopted at a meeting of the interim Board of Directors, January 23, 1984.

The first Annual General Meeting was held June 23, 1984, to which all STFA affiliated track clubs were invited. The bylaws were amended to increase the Board of Directors to 14 from 12. A slate of 14 directors was presented and adopted (subsequently one director has withdrawn his name). Presently there is approximately $3,500 in the Foundation account. A committee was established to pursue further means of fund raising. A committee was also struck to consider a program of awards to be promoted by the Foundation. Committee reports are to be presented at the Board of Directors meeting on September 10, 1984. A matter of considerable urgency is the acquisition of a tax number so that contributions to the Foundation can qualify as a charitable donation. It was agreed that the 1984 Awards Night would be held in conjunction with the STFA Annual General Meeting in November.

Looking ahead, the Foundation will have to determine the nature and extent of its operations. The question might be raised as to whether a program be established, and funds raised accordingly, or whether funds be raised first, and the program tailored to utilize the funds. Are we looking at an annual and/or on-going program both as to fund raising and programming development? Underlying these considerations is to recognize the role to be played by the Foundation in complimenting the track and field program of the STFA. It should be kept in mind that the Foundation is intended to bring recognition and support to the achievement of excellence by Saskatchewan athletes, coaches and officials. Suggestions as to how this might best be done, in appropriate and feasible ways needs to be studied. For example, in addition to a certificate of merit or excellence, should a financial award be also given?

Foundations for various purposes have been established. Some have a fixed funding and provide support for a limited project or award. Other Foundations have large resources (funds) and support a variety of projects or activities as well as being ‘open’ to requests for support as need arises. What should be the percent of activity, and hence support of the Bob Adams Foundation?

It is now approaching one year since the Foundation was first announced. No doubt there is an expectancy by the Track and Field community for some tangible evidence of the functioning of the Foundation. While present funds may limit the undertakings for the first year, it is important that the Foundation earns the respect and support of the public in whatever is undertaken.

Saskatchewan has a long and rich tradition in track and field. The achievement of Saskatchewan athletes, coaches and officials has enabled the province, on many occasions, to be recognized at the international level, especially in 01ympic and Commonwealth Games. The striving to this level of excellence is the quality of performance that the Foundation should support and recognize. The beginnings may be at the age class level, with the culmination at the international level of achievement. Track and Field in Saskatchewan requires tangible incentives to continue to hold a respected rating at the international level, and to develop athletes, coaches and officials of international caliber.

The First 20 Years

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1983 – STFA (Sask. Athletics) announces that they are establishing a Foundation to recognize the contribution made by Bob Adams in some 40 years of participation in the sport – provincial, national and international competitor, coach, technical official and administrator. Note – The distinguishing symbol of the Foundation is the classic figure of the discus thrower and the motto – arete – the pursuit of excellence.
1984 – Incorporation of the Foundation under the co-operative Act (Saskatchewan) Long serving Board of Directors include – Judy Peddle, Arnold Kroll, Bob Cheney (deceased Jan./03) (secretary). Diane Jones-Konihowski was the first full time president.
1984 – First Annual Awards dinner, held in Regina (Nov. 23). The first ever awards were presented to midget and juvenile athletes, coaches (2), technical officials (2).
1985 – Saskatoon hosted awards dinner establishing the rotation between the two cities. The same date Nov. 16, served as the AGM of STFA. Saskatchewan’s Lynn Kanuka-Williams was guest speaker.
1986 – Assisted in financing an international level coach (Baruch Elias) as a clinician at National Legion Camp in Saskatoon. Note – Bob Cheney supplied a membership list of 45.
1986 – Awards Dinner held in Regina. Guest speaker for a second year was Lynn Kanuka-Williams. Greetings and congratulation letters were read from P.M. Brian Mulroney and Federal Minister of Fitness and sport Otto Jelnek.
1987 – After 3 years of persistent correspondence with Revenue Canada, a tax number was granted. (Thanks to Board Members Brenda Zeman and Jan Herringer). Saskatoon hosted Awards dinner with Carey Nelson guest speaker.
1988 – Travel Assistance grant made to Terry Mountjoy to attend the Para Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, Revised brochure printed for circulation. Regina hosted Awards Dinner – Cyprian Enweani guest speaker. Dr. Sam Landa served as Board Chairman.
1989 – Long serving Board member Joe Zeman elected President. With a grant from Sask. Sport a somewhat unsuccessful attempt was undertaken to produce a set of event training videos. Saskatoon hosted Awards Dinner at the Bessborough with Diane Jones-Konihowski as guest speaker.
1990 – A donation of $2000, received from the Nutana Kiwanis (Bob Adams was a long serving member of that Club). Brenda Zeman was sponsored to attend the Olympic Academy sessions in Saskatoon (Theme – Challene After Dubin”). A bursary of $300 was given to Evelyn Nesdole to attend as a technical official to the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. Regina hosted Awards Dinner; again in conjunction with STFA Annual Meeting. Disabled athlete Collette Bourgonje was guest speaker.
1991 – Terry Mountjoy elected president for his first of 4 consecutive terms in office. Membership list reached 90 members. Bank balance reported by Bob Cheney of $5700. Awards Dinner was held in Saskatoon and Dale Yellowlees was the guest speaker. Sharon Tkachuk chaired the dinner committee as she has done for several years. Brenda O’Conner chaired the selection of Award winners.
1992 – Production of the training video was underway but there was difficulty with completing the project. Registration fee of $350 provided to Evelyn Nesdole to attend the Canadian Olympic Academy sessions. The establishment of an Archive of Foundation material was initiated by president, Terry Mountjoy. The Awards dinner was held in Regina with guest speaker, disabled (wheelchair) athlete, Clayton Gerein. The first masters athlete award was given to Bill Gardiner.
1993 – Plans to initiate an annual scholarship undertaken. Decision was made to withdraw from the video production project. Dale Yellowlees elected to the Board of Directors Awards dinner held in Saskatoon with an innovation to entertain participants in a Casino Night using play money called ‘Bob’s Bucks’ and rewards supplied by individuals and corporate sponsors.
1994 – A decision made to recognize as ‘patrons’ donations of various levels e.g. $100 to $5000. These names would appear on the Awards Dinner program. Various programs to develop more financial support were being explored. Awards Night held in Regina with Capt. Claude Lebel (Moose Jaw based Snowbird) as guest speaker.
1995 – A scholarship fund was established and donations to this fund would be solicited from the membership. A grant of $475 was made to the Shellbrook Track Club to help and their athletes to the Provincial Legion Athletes Camp in Saskatoon. Awards Dinner was held in Saskatoon at the Bessborough Hotel with guest speaker Mike Murray, national sprint coach. (Mike also conducted a sprint clinic while there). The newly initiated ‘Casino’ and Silent Auction generated a profit of nearly $1500. for the Foundation.
1996 – After serving 5 terms as President Terry Mountjoy declined nomination, and was replaced by Arnold Kroll, an original director of the Foundation. Dale Yellowlees was elected Vice-president, Barbara Chamberlain remained on as secretary for a fourth term, Bob Cheney as treasurer, and Brenda OConnor – awards. Dale Yellowlees and Randy Warick presented a draft of a scholarship proposal which was accepted. The first scholarship of $250 was to be presented at the Awards Night in Regina, in memory of Bill Lawton, recently deceased and long time track official. The Casino and Silent Auction was a successful and popular feature as a fundraiser for the evening.
1997 – Alex Johnstone of Shellbrook elected to the Board of Directors. The Annual Awards Dinner was to be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Saskatoon. As a cost saving measure, and to attract more participants, 500 newly designed lapel pins have been purchased to be handed out to award winners (past and present) at the dinner. Scholarship presented to Shawn Peters and in memory of Clarence Garvie, long time supporter of the Foundation. Shellbrook Track Club made all arrangements for a Casino.
1998 – New Board Members, Marion Garvie and Marcel Gallays were welcomed at the annual meeting held March 22 in the Saskatoon Field House. A cheque of $2632.89 was presented by Jurgen Wittenberg from the Saskatoon Gymnastics Assoc. to hold in trust while that organization develops its awards program. Note – The discontinuing of the Dairy Pool Fitness Foundation left a void for several sports. Negotiations with Sask. Athletics resulted in an agreement to include their awards (Sr. & Jr. athletes) as a part of the Awards Dinner program. A bursary of $300 was granted to Roberto Theaker to help travel as an official to the Seoul Olympics. Awards Dinner was held for a second consecutive year in Saskatoon as the Regina members had difficulties making arrangements. A scholarship of $300 was presented to Lindsay Tallon in memory of Gordon Hymers. Discus figure plaques were presented to patrons of the $1000 category, (7 to date).
1999 – Treasurer Bob Cheney’s financial statement at the AGM identified three accounts: regular – $2126, scholarship – $7477, Gymnastics – $2633 (in trust). Garth Parkinson (Regina) is the new director. Support for a proposed Saskatchewan Olympic Park was agreed upon. An excellent Awards Dinner was held in Regina with Georgette Reed as guest speaker and clinician for an afternoon throws clinic. All awards to be given as Bob Adams Foundation awards, agreed upon by Sask. Athletics. A scholarship for $350 was presented to Mark MacInnes of Saskatoon in memory of Kae Cheney (patron and technical official). Sask. Athletics made a major donation of banquet tickets to athletes and family members.
2000 – Decision was made to go along with Sask. Athletics in an expanded awards dinner, to include recognition at Provincial Championships (junior & senior) in addition to existing awards. Ken Adams (nephew) a volunteer for the 1999 Awards Dinner was elected to the Board of Directors. He agreed to prepare a ‘business plan’ for the Foundation as well as ‘future directions’. Jurgen Wittenberg confirmed that the Gymnastics (trust fund) be given to the Foundation. A bursary of $300 was agreed to Simon Bairu, Regina distance runner to participate in World Cross Country Championships in Portugal. P.S. At the annual meeting (Jan. 9) Dale Yellowlees was elected President and Garth Parkinson as Vic Pres. Terry Mountjoy requested leave from the Board after serving nearly 10 years.
2001 – Awards Dinner again to be held in Saskatoon in partnership with Sask. Athletics. The date to coincide with their AGM – Nov. 17. Plans to establish a Web site were discussed. Evelyn Nesdole received a grant of $500 to attend a ITO Certification course in San Juan, Puerto Rico. ($175 later returned). Better promotion (advertising) of Foundation awards and scholarship needs to happen through track clubs and schools. The response to a presentation by Brenda Zeman explaining the Crossing Bridges Track Club’ program, resulted in a donation of $350. This matter gave course to rethink the position and direction to be taken by the Foundation. The Annual Awards Dinner saw the largest attendance ever (220). A new feature was the recognition of approximately 40 technical officials for years of service ranging from 5 to 40 years as volunteers. The program agenda listed the names of 28 benefactors of the Foundation (Gold 11, Silver 6, Bronze 11).
2002 – A meeting was held with Alex Johnstone, executive director of Sask. Athletics to review the terms of the Awards Dinner ‘partnership’, generally viewed as successful. (silent auction $1364, donations $400). A report tabled by Board member Ken Adams regarding the future “focus and action of the Foundation was accepted (2002 Operating Plan and Budget). Board members took on the implementation of various parts of this plan. Long serving Board members Joe Zeman and Brenda O’Connor requested retirement. Existing executive remained in office Pres. Dale Yellowlees, Vice Pres. Garth Parkinson, Sec. Marion Garvie, and Treas. Bob Cheney. A grant of $200 was given to Darlene Hainer to attend as an official to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England. A revised brochure was produced as well as new stationery Scholarship fund will now support a $600 award. The Awards Dinner to be held in Regina Nov. 16 at the Wascana Country Club with Jeff Adams, international wheelchair athlete as guest speaker. Roly Hill, early Board member, will be honored by a presentation of a discus figure plague to his wife (Audrey) and family.
2003 – 20th. Anniversary Year. And Bob’s legacy continues…