Fourth Bubba Bowl: memories and great football

Oct 08, 2009

Sydenham’s Junior Eagles beat the Frontenac Falcons 27-7 at the Fourth annual Bubba Bowl

It was a rainy night under the lights at the fourth annual Bubba Bowl held at the Point in Sydenham, October 2, but that didn’t stop 2000+ football fans from coming out for the Golden Eagles junior/senior double header against the Frontenac Falcons, Sydenham’s arch rivals who beat them at the finish of last year’s contest.

It was an opportunity not only for fast and furious football under the bright lights but also a time for staff, players, fans, friends and family to remember Alex (“Bubba”) Turcotte, whom the bowl is named for, a former player with the Golden Eagles and grade 12 Sydenham high school student who passed away in his sleep in 2001.

The Bubba Bowl was the brainchild of Jim Latimer, head coach for the Junior Eagles; the field's scoreboard was unveiled four years ago in Alex’s honour. Latimer and the Senior Eagles’ head coach, Mike Love, always make it a priority to ensure that their players are aware of Alex Turcotte and his legacy. Love said that many players on his team write Alex’s team number on their wrists and arms prior to the game for good luck.

Alex’s older sister Emily Landon, who watched the games from the sidelines, said, “Every year it is such a great honour to see this event take place and it’s great for me and my family to know that Alex is remembered for the game and the community that he loved.” Alex was well known and adored for his sportsmanship and character, both on and off the field. Emily continued, “And he embraced everyone, not just athletes.”

The rain seemed a minor factor for the Junior Eagles who took the lead early in the game and whose aim, according to Coach Latimer, was “to just keep marching the ball down the field.”

That plan paid out big time and with a few key interceptions the Junior Eagles built onto their early lead and scored their final touch down with 11 seconds left. They won what is usually a very close game, 24-7.

Latimer was thrilled and said, “I’m really proud of our offensive line."

The Seniors did not fare nearly as well and were skunked by the Falcons 29-0, the first time in four years of the bowl that Sydenham has lost a game.

On a brighter note, another first for the Bubba Bowl is the change in the focus of the funds raised at the event: funds will now be directed to the Point Improvement Fund (PIF) which is in the process of looking at a range of possible improvement projects. These include permanent lights for the sports field, a permanent two-storey building facility equipped with washrooms, change rooms and a meeting room, and improved walkways, all of which the committee feel will be beneficial to all user groups.

Vicki Veldman, a member of the Point Improvement Committee, explained, “We just got the official go ahead from council to start raising money for the PIF." Further meetings with all user groups will decide when and which projects will take priority. Funds are raised at the Bubba Bowl through food and Eagles sweat wear sales, a 50/50 draw and through private donations. Anyone who missed the game and who is interested in purchasing Eagles sweat wear can call Vicki Veldman at 613-376-6278.