Ernie Overland
- Team Name: Cambridge Speed Skating Club
- Sport: Speed Skating
- City: Cambridge, Ontario
- Nominated By: Cathy Pardy
- Added: September 15, 2009
Spread The Word
Ernie has been a volunteer coach with our club since 1982 and is a Level 3. Currently he is the longest standing active coach in Ontario. Along with being head coach, Ernie has logged many miles and hours travelling as the Team Coach for Ontario to the Canadian and North American championships all over Canada and the U.S., both at long track and short track competitions. Cambridge Speed Skating has had 5 of their members continue onto the Olympics winning a number of medals. Ernie gives completely selflessly to his athletes and welcomes athletes from other clubs to join in on his off season dryland training. Ernie has been know to take vacation days to attend competitions. Ernie is an extremely humble man who does not like to accept praise for his efforts as he firmly believes the honour should go to the athlete for their accomplishments. An athlete never stands on the podium alone, Ernie - take a bow.
Morrison
In the coaching world, Ernie Overland truly has reached Mazslow's final stag, self-actualization. Ernie's desire for each athlete to attain their own personal goals on and off the ice is paramount. His passion for the sport of speed skating is unrelenting. What sets Ernie apart from all other coaches though, is the additional role of mentor to other coaches in the sport. The impact he has had on the sport of speed skating resonates throughout not only Ontario but across the country.
Fackoury
Ernie, what can you not say about Ernie! He is an amazingly unselfish person who dedicates so much time and effort into each child he coaches, caring for them on and off the ice. He is able to read when a child is troubled by something else and is able to coach them through not only speed skating stuff but life situations!! The time he puts into this sport, even long after his children have moved on from the Cambridge Club is incredible! He loves the sport but especially loves the kids! And we love him!
Schmidt
Being a great coach takes a very special kind of talent. It’s knowing how to provide just the right balance of discipline, motivation, and guidance to develop and bring out the personal best in each athlete. Sometimes, as we know, it is not always easy. There will be good days and bad. There will be awesome competitions and then there Will be some when things just aren’t working. There will be tears of joy; there will be tears of sadness. Ernie, has been there for us through it all. Thanks for doing all that and more — You’re humbleness and dedication to this sport and all of the athletes is truly respected and admired. You are truly deserving of this award. You’re the Best, Ernie! And remember…. “we couldn’t have Done it without you!”…
Pardy
Ernie you have made a world of difference in many lives over the past 20+ years of volunteering your countless hours of support to speed skaters from the Cambridge region and across the province and nation. You are a man of integrity and commitment. Thank you for everything.
Simmons
Ernie was my coach for 18 years that I participated competively in the sport. He has given me countless hours and devotion of his time to me and other participants. There was never a no, he would do anything and everything possible to make us succeed in the sport and in life. There is no other coach that I have come across that has the same attitude towards all his athletes whether it is winning or losing. Please help us support Ernie and giving him this title that we all know he deserves.
Evans
Ernie is almost as good at training world class athletes as he is at cracking some of the lamest yet funniest jokes I've ever heard. He leads by example, outrunning all of his skaters at dryland sessions. I don't think I, or most people at the Cambridge speedskating club, would have stayed with the sport for as long as they did if it wasn't for Ernie.
Roberts
Ernie is an awesome coach and is so amazing he could coach the national team - but he's actually better than that because he is a VOLUNTEER who spends his vacation days travelling with his skaters all over Canada. All of his own kids have been to the Olympics and they couldn't have done that without Ernie.. you will not find a more loved and respected coach in Canada.. My daughter is now training in Quebec but when ever she is skating for Ontario Ernie is her coach.. he is #1...