Don Collison was given the 2024 Honour Award by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) for his four decades of volunteerism.
Speaking with the MyMuskokaNow.com newsroom, Collison says he started coaching minor hockey in 1979 before transitioning to refereeing in 1984. He served as the referee in chief for the Muskoka area for many years before taking a step back.
“Hockey itself has progressed over the years, most of it for the better but my attitude towards hockey has never changed,” he says. “I’ve always loved the game.”
Collison, who was named a lifetime member of the South Muskoka Minor Hockey Association (SMMHA) in the late 1990s, says the award was a surprise.
Just like he has for many years, Collison attended the OMHA’s annual general meeting in Richmond Hill, Ont. and says the evening transpired the same way it usually does.
That is, until the last award was handed out.
“At the end they said they have one more award, it’s the Honour Award,” remembers Collison.
However, he didn’t think anything of it until they showed a picture of the Bracebridge Memorial Arena on the screen at the front of the room and Andy Cooke, OHMA region 5 (which includes Muskoka) director, stepped onto the stage.
“It was total shock,” says Collison. “You don’t do this for the awards. You do it because you love it.”
Norm Webb, referee is chief for the SMMHA, took over the role from Collison a few years ago.
“The biggest thing I learned from Don is that we are here to serve the game,” says Webb. “You arrive on time, you wear a shirt and tie, and you take the game seriously. Whether it’s a U9 game or U18 game, you treat it like it’s a Stanley Cup Final game and you will get out what you put into it.”
Collison turns 72 in October and points to his knee explaining how it’s not in the best shape but, all that aside, he’s planning to take his refereeing exam soon in hopes he can officiate a game or two at the new Muskoka Lumber Community Centre in Bracebridge.
“I love working with the young kids and being out on the ice with the young officials,” says Collison. “That’s where I get all my happiness from. Seeing all the smiles on the kids’ faces when they get a goal or something like that and you’re talking to them while the game’s going on.”
