CHAMPIONS SPEAK - 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Mojelski - Builder
by Kristi Paukstat
Good evening!
The first thought that comes to mind when
we speak of people inducted into the sports hall of fame are
visions of athletes; the ones who do. The ones in the
shadows; the ones who support, are often not recognized to
the same degree. What is forgotten is those who do cannot
succeed without those who support. There is a place in the
Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame for those who put
team before self. Tonight, I am honoured to introduce our
third inductee, a man who has supported sport in this
community for decades, Mr. Bill Mojelski.
Mr.
Mojelski attended university in Saskatchewan and accepted
his first teaching job in Manitoba. When he found out how
much fun his former classmates were having here in
Wetaskiwin, he made the trip, and made it permanent. In his
early days, he spent time now and then with Gary Johnson
over at the Milnthorpes’ place as they were one of the few
people at that time with a TV, perfect for watching his
beloved Riders. That is, of course, until he met his
beautiful wife, Gladys and became a little more domesticated
and probably bought his own TV.
As many of you
know, Bill taught social studies (among other things) at the
Wetaskiwin Composite High School from 1963 until his
retirement in 1996. I had the distinct pleasure of being
one of his many students. I recall Mojo as an energetic
teacher with a passion for history. You couldn’t help but
share in his enthusiasm for the past, even when you paid
attention as much as a sleep deprived teenager was capable
of. It is this passion that carried over into preserving
the highlights of sport in our community. “If it isn’t
recorded, it didn’t happen.” That couldn’t be more true.
Bill’s search
for the facts and obsession with detail meant staying
organized. He was entrusted with boxes of scrapbooks and
personal memories and the responsibility was not lost on
him. He diligently went through everything, sorting,
documenting and composing. The success of the Sports Hall
of Fame is due, in part, to Bill’s tireless research.
In addition to
documenting sport, Bill spent years behind the bench in many
different sports, including football, hockey, ball and
curling. He is also an avid sports fan - most notably, the
Saskatchewan Roughriders. Anyone who really knows Bill
knows, he is very willing to share his opinions! When it
comes to the Riders, he pays attention to every detail from
draft choices to trades, coaches to the fan base, Gainer’s
costumes to Pilsner sales.
And behind
every successful man is a dedicated support system. His
wife, Gladys, daughters, Lauri and Cindy, grandchildren
Brett, Steven, Janelle, and Tyson have supported him over
the years in any way they can. When Bill had the itch to
teach overseas in 1980, it was his girls, Lauri and Cindy,
who gave up the security of their home and friends, to
travel to Australia for a year. But Bill gave back as
well. When his daughters were old enough to play t-ball in
his off-season, there was no league for girls. What would
any loving father do? Start them a league, of course.
Bill has left
a lasting mark on our community and his accomplishments will
forever be here to remind us of what can be achieved.
On behalf of
every young person Bill has inspired and encouraged, and
every athlete that Bill has recorded into history, I am
thrilled to be able to take this opportunity to recognize
him. Thank you, Bill, for putting community first and
making it a better place to call home.
At this time
I would like to to invite Mr. Bill Mojelski to come
forward.
