Category: Events

Celebration of Acheivement a tremendous success!

Vauxhall, AB – 

It has become a tradition of the Jets to celebrate special achievements throughout the 2021/2022 season.  A great meal with several presentations and awards was highlighted by the 16th Annual Reno Lizzi scholarship & ring presentation.  .  In an annual tradition we moved forward with our 9th Annual Celebration of Achievement sponsored by Barbara & Yukio Kitagawa.  There were many achievements this year and even more great memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. 2022 spring season was highlighted with a final record of 36-7-2.  The 2022 roster also broke the homerun record with 41 HR’s in 45 games.  Thank you so much to all our supporters for a tremendous season coming out of 2 challenging years.  We want to say an extra special to all our graduating seniors.  Your future is bright and thank you for making Vauxhall a better place than before you got here.  Once a Jet…Always a Jet.

Reno Lizzi Scholarship/Ring Presentation – RHP – Karter Andersen – $2000 & Ring

Jet of Year – LHP – David Stewart –  $500 scholarship

Coaches Award – Hardest worker in the off season – Custom Rawlings Glove – RHP – Garret Smith

Inch by Inch presented by Yukio & Barbara Kitagawa – $1000 scholarship – RHP Drew Lenehan

Scott Hornstra Memorial Scholarship – Heart & Hustle – $500 scholarship – SS – Brennan McTavish

Wanda Stober Memorial Award – Volunteer of the Year $250 scholarship – Kayden Hluecka

Kalvin Odland Memorial Award – Leadership/Dedication $500 scholarship – LHP David Stewart

Brian Bauman Award –  Oakleys & New Balance provided by Sports Connection – SS – Jack Wheatley  (missing) & Anson McGorman (missing)

Jan Tolton Memorial Award – Best in the Dorms $500 – OF Raphael Ranger

 

McLeod Family Scholarship – Excellence everyday that doesn’t require talent – $1000 scholarship each – INF – Riley Pearce, INF – Jared Bendfeld

 

Reno Lizzi Underclassman Bursary – Adam Nelubowich – $1000 tuition credit – C – Cardel Dick (missing)

Reno Lizzi Underclassman Bursary  – $1000 tuition credit – OF Kyle Yip (missing)

 

Jets host Haven Agencies Tournament May long weekend!

Vauxhall, AB – 

Since 2006 Haven Agencies has been the title sponsor the Annual Haven Agencies Tournament at Jets Stadium over the May long weekend.  The 2022 version has teams travelling from Chilliwack, BC, Abbotsford, BC, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat & Calgary.  The tournament kicks off Thursday night with a Medicine Hat vs Jets match up at 7 pm.  The tournament continues throughout the weekend with the final game Sunday night.  See below for a copy of the schedule.

2022 Haven Agency Tournament

Jets score early & often cruising to a big victory!

Lethbridge, AB – 

The snow has finally went away and the Jets officially kicked off our spring season.  Final score Jets 28 PBA JV 1.  The Jets ran out 9 pitchers to the mound who all threw well scattering only 4 hit in total.  PBA JV issued several free passes to the Jets eventually capitalizing on the mistakes with several extra base hits.  Next action for the Jets is Saturday in Lethbridge at Lloyd Nolan Yard with a DH scheduled vs Badlands & PBA JV.  11 am & 1:30 pm.  See the box score below for details on the game.

PBA JV vs Vauxhall Academy_Jets Varsity Mar 14 2022 – BOX SCORE

 

Amazing – VAB Ambassador Yukio Kitagawa’s 4th time cycling around the world!

Vauxhall, AB – 

Help us celebrate and support Yukio & Barbara Kitawgawa in their quest and vision to make a difference in our student-athletes.  We are incredibly greatful and honored to work with the Kitagawa’s.

Yukio and Barbara Kitagawa have been philanthropists for the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball sinces its inception 16 years ago. Yukio has intertwined his thirst for a healthy lifestyle with a goal to help young student-athletes achieve their dreams. Yukio launched a cycling campaign to help raise funds for an indoor multi-purpose training center for the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball. Our own indoor training facility has been a goal and dream for well over a decade. Yukio’s cycling journey started Sept 2014 and so far has logged over 160,000 kms. That is 4 times around the earth!!!!! Originally, Yukio was inspired by Clara Hughs’s cycling marathon but in the past 7 years his dedication and determination to cycle for the VAB has been inspiring to anyone lucky enough to meet him. Yukio’s quiet and unassuming ways has had a tremendous impact on every student-athlete who has stepped foot in our program. Over 175 players have had the pleasure to learn from his passion and tremendous work ethic. Ultimately, teaching these young men what can be accomplished when you put your heart and soul into a goal. Yukio and Barbara work together to accomplish so many great goals and we appreciate all they do for our program. This dynamic duo are a force to reckon with and their efforts to assist others to reach their goals and dreams is awe inspiring. To encourage Yukio in his fundraising endeavors for a new training facility in Vauxhall please contribute to this go fund me cause.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/yukios-4th-time-cycling-around-the-world?utm_source=customer&utm_m

edium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

Several Jets commit to US schools for the fall of 2021!

The Vauxhall Academy is very proud to announce 6 Jets have committed to college baseball programs on scholarship for the 2021-2022 season.  All 4 players will finish up their spring in Vauxhall and will join their respective college programs in the fall of 2021.  We are very proud of all of these young men and look forward to following their careers.  Stay tuned for additional Jets signing over the winter months.

The following is a list of Jets who signed:

OF – Jackson Clemett – Calgary, AB  – has accepted an NCAA Division 1 athletic & academic scholarship to attend the University of Utah Utes in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The Utes play in one of the premier conferences in the United States the PAC 12 conference.  For more details on Utes Baseball: https://utahutes.com/sports/baseball

RHP – Anson McGorman – Parksville, BC – has accepted an NCAA Division 1 scholarship to attend Sacramento State University in Sacramento, California.  The Hornets play in the very competitive Big West Conference and have competed for the Championship over the last few years. For more information on Sac State: https://www.hornetsports.com/sports/bsb/index

RHP/INF – Shaye McTavish – Lethbridge, AB – has accepted an athletic & academic scholarship to attend NCAA Division 2 University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.  The Marauders play in Northern Sun Collegiate Conference and are coached by former Jets standout Tanner Spencer.  For more details on UMary Baseball: https://goumary.com/sports/baseball

RHP – Tyler Boudreau  – Halifax, NS – has accepted an NJCAA Division 1 athletic scholarship to attend Midland College Chaps in Midland, TX.  The Chaps play in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference which is home to some of the top junior college baseball programs in Texas.  For more details on Midland College: http://www.gochaps.com/baseball/index.php

 

INF – Kalem Haney – Lethbridge, AB – has accepted an athletic & academic scholarship to attend NCAA Division 2 University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.  The Marauders play in Northern Sun Collegiate Conference and are coached by former Jets standout Tanner Spencer.  For more details on UMary Baseball: https://goumary.com/sports/baseball

RHP – Jack Mount – Ottawa, Ontario has accepted an athletic scholarship to attend NJCAA Division 1 Cloud County T Birds in Concordia, Kansas.  The T Birds play in the Jayhawk Conference and compete for a Championship every season.  For more details on Cloud County: https://cloudtbirds.com/sports/bsb/index

 

14th Annual Awards & Scholarship Dinner with Wall of Excellence Inductees!

Vauxhall, AB –

The VAB is excited for the 14th annual Awards/Scholarship Fundraising Banquet February 29th, 2020 at the Vauxhall Community Hall (5 pm cocktails and 5:45 pm program begins).  We are very excited to announce former Toronto Blue Jay & 16 year MLB veteran – Rance Mulliniks as our featured speaker. Mulliniks spent 16 seasons with the California Angles, Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays.

The evening will once again be highlighted by the Reno Lizzi Scholarships as well as several other Awards and Scholarship presentations. A silent auction, live auction and raffles will be going on throughout the evening

We are also very excited to welcome the 7th & 8th inductees to our Wall of Excellence.

David Reiniger was the 1st player to commit to become a Jet and the 1st to receive a scholarship to the US attending Alabama Huntsville.  David has his masters in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama and has worked with Boeing & NASA on rocket design and currently with Blue Origin as their Propulsion Module Director with the goal to send humans to space in 2020.

Josh Burgmann is a 3 year Jet who graduated in 2016 after spending 2 years with Team Canada and was drafted out of high school by the Cardinals.  Josh elected to attend the University of Washington and helped pitch the Huskies to the 2018 College World Series.  In 2019, Josh became the highest drafted Jet in history after being selected in the 5th round by the Chicago Cubs.  Josh currently is training in Vauxhall getting ready for spring training.

Some of the highlight auction items will be posted prior to the banquet.

Please contact Lynda Unruh at [email protected] for tickets.  Tickets cost is $60/ticket or $450/table of 8

We look forward to celebrating with the past, current and future Jets!

13th Annual Awards Banquet a great success!

 

Vauxhall, AB –

First of all thank you to everyone who traveled in the extremely cold weather to attend the 13th Annual Awards night.   Also a special thank you to all the sponsors and donors for leading the way with first class auction items.

Keith Miller led the evening again as our MC and did an excellent job.  Former Toronto Blue Jays coach Tim Leiper did a tremendous job speaking telling stories and giving insight into past Blue Jays seasons/players and gave us a glimpse of the future. Several Awards and Scholarships were handed out highlighted by the Reno Lizzi Scholarships.  Barbara & Yukio Kitagawa were unable to attend due to illness and were certainly missed.  We wish Yukio a speedy recovery.

The Award winners are listed below:

  • Reno Lizzi Scholarship – Adam Macko
  • Reno Lizzi Underclassman – Carlin Dick & Ben Adams
  • Coaches Award (newly named Blaine Burbank Coaches Award) – Evan O’Toole
  • Sports Connection Scholarships – Matt Wiggins & Josh Malainey

The Jets are also excited about taking our Celebration in Achievement Dinner in June to the next level with several awards and scholarships presented at the event.  Date will be announced soon.

Thank you to everyone who attended, donated and sponsored the Banquet.  All donations go along way in assisting our student-athletes to Live Their Dreams.  Once a Jet….Always a Jet!

13th Annual Awards/Scholarship Dinner!

13th Annual Awards/Scholarship Banquet  

Vauxhall, AB –

The VAB is excited for the 13th annual Awards/Scholarship Fundraising Banquet March 2nd, 2019 at the Vauxhall Community Hall (5 pm cocktails and 5:45 pm program begins).  We are very excited to announce former Toronto Blue Jays coach – Tim Leiper will be our featured speaker.  Leiper played 12 seasons in the minor leagues before moving over to the coaching side of the game.  He has coached and/or managed for 22 professional seasons with the last 5 seasons coaching 1st base for the Toronto Blue Jays.  Leiper has also coached Team Canada at every World Baseball Classic event (2006, 2009, 2013, 2017).

The evening will once again be highlighted by the Reno Lizzi Scholarships as well as several other Awards and Scholarship presentations. A silent auction, live auction and raffles will be going on throughout the evening

Some of the highlight auction items will be posted prior to the banquet.

Please contact Lynda Unruh at [email protected] for tickets.  Tickets cost is $60/ticket or $450/table of 8

We look forward to celebrating with the past, current and future Jets!

2018 Jets enjoy some culture getting ready for Christmas!

 

Full squad including practice squad.  Missing Florendine, Kondor and Howg

Great looking crew.  21 players – missing Chase Florendine on his recruiting trip to CSUN.

Couple vets Josh Malainey & Dayton Peters looking after a young buck Jackson Clemett.

Inside of Theatre Calgary and Max Bell Theatre

East Coasters Nick Gravel & Tyler Boudreau getting ready for the Theatre.

Good looking crew prior to the production starting

Cheque presentation for Pennies for K’s.  President Todd Ojala with Barbara and Yukio.

Calgary, AB –

The Jets traveled to Calgary Theatre and the 32nd running of “The Christmas Carol” live theatre production.  It has become an annual holiday tradition for the Jets. 2018 marks the 13th consecutive year that Yukio and Barbara Kitagawa have treated current Jets as well as many Academy supporters to a great day of holiday celebration and cheer. In total 53 Jets supporters enjoyed the holiday tradition.

It was an extra special day with VAB President Todd Ojala being presented a cheque from the Pennies for K’s fundraiser from Yukio and Barbara Kitawgawa.  The original fundraising goal for Oct. 12th, 2018 was not met but fortunately within the last month the goal was obtained.  Thank you so much to all that participated in the fundraising campaign.  It is great appreciated.

On behalf of the entire Jets organization we would like to thank Barbara and Yukio Kitagawa, Jason and Dawn Clemett, Margie Fast and Shirley from Theatre Calgary for the great day.

Merry Christmas!!

12th Annual Awards/Scholarship Fundraiser a success!!

Vauxhall, AB –

First of all thank you to everyone who braved the weather and poor winter driving conditions to attend our 12th Annual event – presented by the Jets Alumni in honor of Scott Hornstra.  Also a special thank you to all the sponsors and donors for leading the way with first class auction items.  The night opened with Jets Alumni Tyson Ford remembering Scott Hornstra who tragically died in a snowboarding accident late in 2017.  There were tears and laughter remembering a truly remarkable soul with several members of the Hornstra Family in attendance.

Keith Miller led the evening again as our MC.  Former Blue Jay World Series Champ, MLB All-star and current colour anaylist for the Jays, Pat Tabler electrified the crowd with stories of the past and current Blue Jays. His humble and well spoken approach was very easy to follow and inspired young and old in attendance to wake up everyday with enthusiasm. Several Awards and Scholarships were handed out highlighted by the Reno Lizzi Scholarships.  Barbara & Yukio Kitagawa continued to inspire the entire Jets organization with a special tribute for the Pennies for K’s fundraiser.  Yukio’s accomplishments and drive are truly remarkable.

2018 marked the 3rd Annual induction into the “Wall of Excellence.” Brian Bauman former owner of Sports Connection Source for Sports in Medicine Hat was inducted into the Wall of Excellence.  His son Matt accepted the award in an emotional and touching acceptance speech.

The official announcement of the Schwartz Insurance Group Assistance Program.  This program will offer $15,000 annually to current and future Jets athletes.

The Award winners are listed below:

  • Reno Lizzi Scholarship – Garrett Hawkins
  • Reno Lizzi Underclassman – Adam Macko & Chase Florendine
  • Coaches Award (newly named Blaine Burbank Coaches Award) – Jaden Griffen
  • Sports Connection Scholarships – Ty Penner & Owen Harms
  • Schwartz Insurance Group Assistance Program – Dayton Peters

The Jets are also excited about taking our Celebration in Achievement Dinner in June to the next level with several awards and scholarships presented at the event.  Date will be announced soon.

Thank you to everyone who attended, donated and sponsored the Banquet.  All donations go along way in assisting our student-athletes to Live Their Dreams.  Once a Jet….Always a Jet!