(Bell Warriors Football Club retired Coach Kevin Pidgeon now funding the Bell Warriors Jim Wagdin Post-Secondary Scholarships for 2020. Photo: Submitted)
“The Bell Warriors Football Club is pleased and excited to announce that Warriors alumni parent and alumni coach Kevin Pidgeon has stepped up to fund this year’s two Bell Warriors Jim Wagdin Post-Secondary Scholarships,” stated Paul Stewart, Bell Warriors Football President.
“In funding this year’s scholarships, I wanted to be sure that this year’s bursaries could continue to be made without the Warriors having to impact the club’s operating funds. Jim (Wagdin) is a tremendous visionary and I am truly proud of all that he has accomplished with the club.” expressed Kevin Pidgeon, Chief Operating Officer of the Nautical Lands Group.
Jim Wagdin volunteered for the Bell Warriors for 24 amazing years as a coach, VP and eventual President of the Club until 2011. Mr. Wagdin was a man of character, dignity and distinction who set a tremendous example for our young players and families. In 2011, upon his retirement from the Warriors, Jim was bestowed the honour as the Bell Warriors 1st Inductee into the Bell Warriors Hall of Fame.
(Kevin Pidgeon as Coach with the Bell Warriors Football Club. Photo: Submitted)
In 1999, the Bell Warriors initiated the Warrior Scholarship program offering two $1,000 scholarships to ex-Warriors who are pursuing post-secondary education. Participation in a post-secondary football program is not a prerequisite. There are however, three selection criteria – Academics, Warrior Experience, and Community Involvement. An independent committee, as chosen by the Club executive, makes the selections. $40,000 has been rewarded to date to Warrior alumni for their pursuit of post-secondary education. The Warriors are known to support their players on and off the field!
“This gesture couldn’t have come at a better time. Our Bell Warriors Football Club is facing unprecedented financial challenges which puts our non-profit sports club in a precarious position. Despite the fiscal challenges our club is facing, we felt it was important to continue to support our Warriors alumni now more than ever by continuing to offer our scholarships. We had already incurred considerable expenses, however, associated with our preparations for our Winter Football clinics, Co-Ed Spring Flag Football program, Spring Girl’s Touch Football program and our Tackle Football program. Kevin’s considerable donation is not only appreciated but it is reaffirming that the Warriors are on the right track. It’s a humbling pat-on-the-back to all of our volunteers who have selflessly given to their community over the years. We can’t thank Kevin Pidgeon and his family enough for continuing to value our club and goals,” summed up President Stewart.
For 65 years, the Bell Warriors Football Club has offered football programs for boys and girls ages 7-23 in the communities of Britannia, Bayshore, Bells Corners, Crystal Beach, Richmond, Munster and Stittsville. To learn more about the Bell Warriors Football Club, go to — www.bellwarriors.ca or email info@BellWarriors.ca.
