25 Years & Counting for the Burgess Family
On November 25, 2011, the BURGESS FAMILY will be honoured by the CITY OF GREATER SUDBURY and the ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE as Commissioner David Branch will be in attendance to present the BURGESS FAMILY with an OHL award for 25 years of ownership of the Sudbury Wolves OHL franchise.
A number of former Wolves players will also be in attendance on November 25th to pay tribute to the Burgess Family in honour of their 25th anniversary of ownership including former Wolves’ captains: JAMIE MATTHEWS, BOBBY MACISAAC, SEAN VENEDAM and RORY FITZPATRICK.
The Burgess Family are presently the ‘longest serving’ private owners of any OHL franchise and their success in operating an OHL franchise has become a model of success to other owners of CHL teams across Canada.
Among their many accomplishments over the past 25 years is the ability and belief of the Burgess family to ‘give back’ and make a commitment to ‘community involvement and support.”
The Sudbury Wolves’ definition of ‘community involvement’ includes: Attending minor hockey practices, making hospital visits, elementary school visits and community autograph sessions. The Wolves donate thousands of free Wolves’ tickets to the community through minor hockey programs, hospital programs, school visit programs, charity donation programs and gifts for non-profit organizations on an annual basis.
The Wolves also host minor hockey camps and provide specialized instruction to local hockey players. The Wolves also host a Minor Hockey Coaching Clinic each year and this year 60 minor hockey coaches from the Sudbury Playground Hockey league will be in attendance at this year’s clinic scheduled for December 3rd at the Sudbury Arena.
The Burgess Family insure that Wolves’ players participate in a variety of local charity events to help organizations raise funds. Included is the EASTER SEALS BOWL WITH THE WOLVES event in November. The Wolves also participated in the DOWNE SYNDROME BUDDY WALK, THE BELL KIDS HELP PHONE WALK and a CHRISTMAS SKATE WITH THE WOLVES which all raise funds for local charities.
The Burgess Family sponsors local ‘AAA’ teams by providing them with team uniforms. This represents over $15,000 per year in uniforms. The Wolves also supported these teams by providing complimentary season tickets to use as raffle prizes at their home games.
“The Sudbury Minor Hockey Association is very grateful to the Burgess Family and the Sudbury Wolves for the significant support that they provide to our AAA program” notes SMHA President Denis Michel. “The youngsters who wear the Wolves’ jerseys are very proud and excited to do so and it gives our teams added recognition when they travel around the province competing in tournament.”
The Burgess Family initiated the MINOR SPORT BURSARY FUND back in the mid-80’s. Since that time, over $200,000 has been donated by the Burgess Family and the Wolves organization to local minor hockey organizations to help cover registration fees and equipment purchases for families that otherwise could not afford to keep their child in minor hockey.
“The Minor Sport Bursary Fund was initiated by my father Ken in the 80’s” notes Mark Burgess. “Since that time, my family and I have continued my father’s tradition of assisting youngsters in need by paying for new hockey equipment and registration fees for youngsters that we know cannot afford the rising costs of minor hockey. “
The Sudbury Wolves have also been the conduit for “community drives” of all kinds. The Wolves have hosted a Coats for Kids drive, the Christmas Food Drive, a Teddy Bear Toss Toy drive, the SPCA pet food drive and the Vale Food Drive in February. Literally tons of food, toys, coats and more are collected for the community each year at Wolves’ home games.
The Wolves entered a float in the Santa Claus parade and all of the Wolves’ players and coaches were on the float to thank the community and acknowledge the youngsters in the crowd and distribute hundreds of ticket vouchers to Friday night’s game.
Mark Burgess and the Burgess Family have also contributed significant dollars to the Sudbury Arena – the 60 year old facility that is owned and operated by the citizens and the City of Greater Sudbury. The Burgess Family invested $2 million dollars in 2007 into new club seats, new corporate boxes, two new washrooms, a new video scoreclock and a new speaker system for the Sudbury arena.
“Thanks to the Burgess Family’s investment in renovating the Sudbury arena, it has been very helpful in attracting major events to our City” notes Sudbury Arena Manager Ray Mensour.
Friday’s game will be attended by many minor hockey teams and minor hockey organizations such as the LADY WOLVES, SUDBURY MINOR HOCKEY and NICKEL CITY HOCKEY that will be on hand to thank the BURGESS FAMILY for their commitment to minor hockey and OHL hockey in the Sudbury region.
The Wolves look forward to hosting their largest crowd of the season when they host the defending OHL Champion OWEN SOUND ATTACK. Game time is 7:35.
