The Monsignor McCoy Colts Sr. football team gather for prayer Thursday in front of a new sign honouring Rick Boksteyn on the field named in his honour.--NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Monsignor McCoy Colts continue to carry the presence of Rick Boksteyn in their program.
The Colts officially unveiled a sign erected in 2023 on the grounds of the football field behind the school, named the Rick Boksteyn Field in honour of the former coach and fireman. Boksteyn, who passed in 2020, helped coach the Colts and the Crescent Heights Vikings at different times over 36 years and was on the Medicine Hat Fire Department for 35 years.
Members of the fire department, Boksteyn’s family, school administration and Medicine Hat football community were in attendance for the unveiling and barbecue Thursday. Colts head coach Jole Krassman, a godchild of Boksteyn, was emotional during the ceremony and he was honoured with the showing of support.
“Having the school here to show them what we’re trying to build here, to get the community support that we did, this is amazing,” Krassman said. “It just honours and shows the love that this man brought in and the impact he had, not only to the football community, but to the community in general.”
Krassman says the sign wouldn’t be possible without Bill Lafferty and Billy Blocks, who donated it, and Al Geib from Geib construction. He also credits the Boksteyn family for their support on the project. The fire department also donated $3,000 in 2023 from its social fund for the sign to be erected.
The fire department also donated money for burgers at the barbecue Thursday, and the Medicine Hat Kinsmen Club offered the usage of their grills for the night – gestures Krassman says illustrates the strong local community.
“It just shows these community services that reach out, the Kinsmen and the social fund from the fire department,” Krassman said. “The fire department has said they’re going to keep contributing financially and our cup is running over, man, we’re so blessed.
“Rick Boksteyn is still impacting this football team. Even though he’s not with us, he’s still here in spirit and we can feel it every day.”
The Colts and Vikings will continue the tradition of the Boksteyn Bowl, facing off against one another in the fourth rendition of the memorial game, which goes tonight at 7 p.m. at the Methanex Bowl.
The Vikings have won the first three meetings, getting to claim an old firefighting trophy donated to commensurate the game and further enshrine Boksteyn’s legacy with the fire department and the two teams.
The Colts enter the contest off a season-opening win, beating the Brooks Buffaloes 7-3 on Aug. 29. Krassman says they have to play from the first whistle to the last if they want to win the memorial game.
“We just want to prove that we are here and we’re here to play, that was the message for these guys,” Krassman said. “We’re honouring Rick Boksteyn, but we’re also honouring our legacy and you start a legacy by showing up, by playing.
“The play starts with a cadence and it ends with a whistle, and what you do in between, that is what’s going to establish that legacy. So that’s our message. Just work hard and just keep coming.”
