Category: Events

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!

12th Annual Christmas Celebration!

Calgary, AB –

Calgary Theatre and the 31st running of “The Christmas Carol” live theatre production has become an annual holiday tradition for the Jets. 2017 marks the 12th 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 47 Jets supporters enjoyed the holiday tradition.

On behalf of the entire Jets organization we would like to thank Barbara and Yukio Kitagawa, Carl Ringdahl, Ken and Susan Scott as well as Shirley from Theatre Calgary for the great day.  We would also like to thank Donna Brown from Intact Insurance for the special gift for each of the boys.

Jets finish the weekend with a couple of victories to win series!

Although short handed with several players away with the JNT in Florida and a couple of injuries the Jets managed to take both from the Dawgs to finish off the series 3-1.  We are proud of the boys effort and compete level with 4 games within 26 hours.

Game 1 saw the Jets win by a score of 8-3 and game 2 by a score of 9-7.  Game 1 saw Ben Erwin start on the mound going 3 2/3 innings allowing 2 hits with 3 BB’s and 7 K’s.  Chase Florendine threw 2 2/3 innings allowing 2 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs with 1 BB and 1 K.  Owen Harms finished things off going 2/3 of an inning allowing 1 hit with 1 K.  Offensively, the Jets were led by Liam Vulcano who was 1 for 3.  Owen Harms was 2 for 2 with an RBI.  Jared Binsfeld was 1 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI’s.  Cooper Jones was 1 for 3 with a double.  Kaiden Cardoso was 1 for 4 with a 2 run HR.  Matt Rath was 1 for 4 and Matt Gough rounded out the offense going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s.

Game 2 saw the Jets win by a score of 9-7.  Garrett Hawkings threw 4 1/3 innings allowing 7 hits, 3 runs with 1 BB and 3 K’s.  Thomas Little threw 1 2/3 innings allowing 4 hits,  runs with 2 K’s. Levi Abbott threw 1 inning allowing 1 BB.  Offensively, the Jets were led by Liam Vulcano who was 1 for 2 with an inside the park HR.  Owen Harms was 2 for 3 with an RBI.  Zach Newman was 1 for 2 with RBI.  Jared Binsfeld was 2 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI’s.  Cooper Jones was 1 for 4.  Kaiden Cardoso was 1 for 4.  Matt Rath was 1 for 2.  Matt Rath was 1 for 3 and Ben Erwin rounded out the offense going 1 for 4 with 2 RBI’s.

The Jets may be playing this week before heading to Las Vegas, Nevada for the 11th year and the Bishop Gorman Classic.

11th Annual Awards/Scholarship Fundraising Dinner a success!

The 11th Annual Awards/Scholarship Fundraising Banquet was once again a tremendous success.  Keith Miller led the evening again as our MC.  Former Blue Jay and Yankee as well as MLB HR Champ Jesse Barfield talked to the crowd about his childhood and the daily adventures of being a Major League baseball player.  He spoke to the players and coaches about being a good teammates, hitting philosophies and the game within the game (pitcher vs hitter).   Several Awards and Scholarships were handed out highlighted by the Reno Lizzi Scholarships.  Barbara & Yukio Kitagawa continued to inspire the entire Jets organization as they matched all donations to Pennies for K’s to $20,000.00.

2017 marked the 2nd Annual induction into the “Wall of Excellence.” Peter & Connie Van Uden of Haven Agencies were inducted into the Wall of Excellence.

The Award winners are listed below:

  • Reno Lizzi Scholarship – Garrett Nicholson
  • Reno Lizzi Underclassman – Damiano Palmegiani & Cooper Jones
  • Coaches Award (newly named Blaine Burbank Coaches Award) – Victor Cerny
  • Sports Connection Scholarships – Conner Green & Ben Erwin
  • MacLeod Family Scholarship (trip to Japan) – Liam Vulcano & Dayton Peters

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

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.

11th Annual Awards/Scholarship Fundraising Dinner!

The VAB is excited for the 11th annual Awards/Scholarship Fundraising Banquet March 4th, 2017 at the Vauxhall Community Hall (5 pm cocktails and 5:45 pm program begins).  Jesse Barfield will be our featured speaker at this years event following his 12 year career with the Yankees and Blue Jays.  Jesse’s career was highlighted with winning the 1986 American League HR crown, 2 X Gold Glove winner and allstar.

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.

Jets enjoy some culture at the Christmas Carol!

Calgary Theatre and the 30th running of “The Christmas Carol” live theatre production has become an annual holiday tradition for the Jets. 2016 marks the 11th 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.

On behalf of the entire Jets organization we would like to thank Barbara and Yukio Kitagawa, Ken and Susan Scott as well as Shirley from Theatre Calgary for the great day.  We would also like to thank Donna Brown from Intact Insurance for the special gift for each of the boys.

Josh Burgmann drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals!

Burgy

Vauxhall, AB – 

The VAB is very proud to announce that Josh Burgmann was drafted in the 2016 MLB 1st year player draft. Current Jet RHP Josh Burgmann (Nanamio, BC) was drafted in the 30th round, 916th overall by the Cardinals.  Josh has been a standout for the Jets for 3 years and has a very bright future in the game whether he chooses to sign with the Cardinals or attend U of W.  Congrats Burgy!!

Josh has committed  to the University of Washington Huskies in Seattle, WA. Josh is also currently playing with the Canadian National Junior Team.

Below is a list of other Jets who have been drafted in previous seasons:

2007 – Cody Phipps – Houston Astros –signed

2008 – Lionel Morrill – Minnesota Twins – attended College of Southern Idaho

2009 – Steven Inch – Philadelphia Phillies – signed

2009 – Adam Nelubowich – Seattle Mariners – currently attending Washington State University

2009 – Brandon Petite – Houston Astros – attended Texas Tech University

2009 – Jordan Wong – Milwaukee Brewers – attended Hill College

2009 – Dale Anderson – Texas Rangers – attended College of Southern Idaho

2009 – Jay Johnson – Baltimore Orioles – attended Texas Tech University

2010 – Jay Johnson – Toronto Blue Jays 2011 – Jay Johnson – Philadelphia Phillies – signed

2011 – Ben Dartnell – Boston Red Sox – attended Eastern Michigan University

2011 – Brendan Hendriks – Philadelphia Phillies – attended University of San Fransico

2012 – Logan Seifrit – Seattle Mariners – signed

2013 – Adam Nelubowich – Houston Astros – signed

2013 – Chris Thibideau – San Diego Padres – currently attending North Florida University

2014 – Ben Onyshko – Milwaukee Brewers – currently attending Stetson University

Celebration of Achievement a tremendous success!

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Vauxhall, AB – 

The day began with a special “Ride.”  VAB Ambassador Yukio Kitagawa continued his quest to ride 100,000 km in 10 years for “Jets Baseball.”  What made June 9th, 2016 special is Yukio officially road his bike 40,075 km which is the circumference of the earth.  This feat was accomplished in only 634 cycling days and it took 2674 hours to complete the 40,075 km.  To top this off Yukio’s wife Barbara matches all pledges donated to the “Pennies for K’s fundraiser” in support of Jets baseball and after 2 years we have raised over $88,000.00.  WOW what a great way to support Jets Baseball.  Special thank you to everyone who has supported this fundraiser over the last 2 years.  We look forward to another great year in 2017.

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The evening was highlighted by our 5th Annual Celebration of Achievement.  This year marked not only a time to celebrate academic performance, community involvement but also a time to recognize 3 Award winners and the presentation of the Reno Lizzi Ring.

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Jan Tolton Memorial Scholarship – KJ Moreno

Celebration 2016

McLeod Family Scholarships – Ben Erwin & Wesley Moore

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Special thank you to Brian & Susan Van Uden and Yukio & Barbara Kitagawa for your support of the Dinner.

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