The Sylvan Lake Bantam Lions football team marked the end of an era with a halftime presentation to recently-retired coach John Kriekle during their season opener at HJ Cody on Saturday.
Kriekle retired at the end of last season, ending his eight years of coaching minor football in Sylvan Lake.
On Saturday, he was presented a framed jersey complete with the names of every player, coach and manager he worked with throughout his tenure.
“For me, it wasn’t really a sacrifice at all,” he said. “It was just coming out here and doing football with a bunch of friends — and I considered all of my players that I coached friends for life.”
Kriekle said he was honoured to be recognized, and admitted it felt a “little different” to be on the other side of the field as he watched the Lions’ home opener on Saturday against Hunting Hills Lightning — which the Lions lost 54-20.
Working with such a great group of youths is what he says he’ll miss most about being a coach.
“It’s just so delightful working with kids that aren’t tainted or spoiled by society,” he said. “They’re just honest, and they are what they are.”
Team manager Diana Zenert worked alongside Kriekle, and said she felt “privileged” to have him coach all three of her sons.
“It really does take a special person, I think, to be able to know the balance between being (a player’s) friend, and being their coach, and he really understands that balance,” she said. “Those boys respect him like no other, and he’s able to get what he needs out of them, when he needs it, during games and otherwise.”
Lions coach Dave Berg also joined in the tributes to Kriekle, noting, “Once you are a teammate of John’s, and once you’ve played with him or coached with him, you are a friend for life. That’s just the way John is.”
Following the presentation, Coach Vic Sloboda announced the team would now be presenting a John Kriekle Ironman Award at its annual awards ceremony. Its recipient, he explained, will be a player who “plays the hardest, is most durable, and gives their all to Lions football.”
As for the future, Kriekle admits his days spent on the sideline are far from over, and he’s looking forward to taking in as many games as he can — as a spectator.
Just this weekend, he’s got trips to Calgary and Edmonton planned to watch Sylvan Lake Minor Football graduates as they compete at some of the highest levels of competition in the province.
“I’m taking an interest in that; seeing where the kids are going,” he said. “I’m still going to be involved in watching, that’s for sure.”