The founder of the longest running junior high sports program in St. Albert is retiring after 34 years as the wrestling coach at Lorne Akins School.
"It's time to hand over the reigns," said Barrie Schulha, floor general for the Crush wrestling team. "But you're still going to see me at all the tournaments in the stands cheering. It's in my blood."
During his tenure the Crush achieved unparalleled greatness at the Provincial Junior Olympics in the team and individual categories. Nine wrestlers also medalled at nationals.
"The legacy Barrie leaves is one of unbelievable success and sportsmanship," said coach Craig Baba. "I have truly lost count of how many medals our team accumulated over the years, but I have also lost count of how many times coaches from other teams would compliment Barrie and I about the outstanding behaviour and courtesy of our wrestlers. Barrie would always mention that to our wrestlers at practice. It was something that made him very proud."
Lorne Akins vice-principal Roger Scott said Schulha will be missed.
"Barrie is a true builder and guardian of amateur wrestling in this province. He has contributed immensely in so many areas here at Lorne Akins, none less than as wrestling coach for the past bazillion years," he said. "His boots are rather small but will never be appropriately filled."
Schulha is passing the torch to Baba, a Lorne Akins teacher and Crush coach for 17 years.
"It's time to let Craig shine. He knows his stuff. He is a well respected coach," Schulha said.
Dedicated coach
Baba said Schulha is responsible for the Crush tradition of excellence.
"Barrie is very proud of his team. He did everything 100 per cent to make our athletes the best they could be. He did all of the behind-the-scenes stuff, like registering our kids for the tournaments, permission forms and of course, making sure everyone had a Crush shirt," said the captain of the 1995 junior B champion St. Albert Merchants.
"His strengths as a wrestling coach are plentiful. He has such a vast knowledge of so many moves and variations of moves. I found myself learning something new every practice as well.
"He coached with passion and made sure every athlete in the room tried as hard as possible. His enthusiasm was infectious. He made our wrestlers laugh all the time. Although his jokes can be corny at times, his intentions are always good."
Baba said Schulha's last day at Lorne Akins will be emotional for the students and staff.
"Barrie's incredible spirit, positive attitude, friendly smile and amazing stories will be missed at Lorne Akins. So will his museum of Coke cans in his classroom," he said. "Barrie is admired by everyone at the school. He is an excellent teacher who still works many late nights at the school. He cares about his students very much. When you need him for anything he is always there for you. He is always thinking of other people."
Lorne Akins legend
Schulha, 59, spent his entire teaching career at Lorne Akins.
"I love coaching wrestling and I love teaching math. I'm going to miss them both. It's like saying which one of your two kids do you like best," said the Sifu master of the Wing Chun martial arts.
The Eastglen High School alumna and University of Alberta graduate started teaching at Lorne Akins in 1978 and asked the school administration if he could start a wrestling program.
"Wrestling was my passion so I figured it was a real natural fit. They didn't have any wrestling program at the time at the school, not even in St. Albert really," Schulha said. "I think there were some pushed-together blue mats that we kind of used for the first few years and then eventually we got wrestling mats."
It wasn't long before the male and female Crushers dominated the mats at the tournament and provincial level.
"Success is built on success. Like any program it took time to build and build and build and then it became a staple in the school," said Schulha, who never cut a wrestler from the team. "I've been very fortunate to have really good people around me helping and really, really good support from administration.
"Another really, really positive thing is on any given year we have some high school kids and even some in university who are passionate about the sport who will come back and help coach. Most clubs have one or two coaches and we have a wall of about six or seven coaches at any tournament."
In recent years former Crushers like Sabrina Kelly, Breanne Pare and Conor McIntyre medalled at nationals and shared their experiences and knowledge with the Lorne Akins wrestlers.
"They are role models the kids can look up to. You can set the bar high and train them all we want but when the kids see them helping out and coaching, it's just absolutely huge," said Schulha, the sixth-place finisher at nationals in Grade 12 at 114 pounds.
Career highlights
He has lasting memories coaching the Crush.
"Obviously nine national medallists stands out. You can't say one kid was better than another, but there definitely were. There were some kids who had an easier path to nationals than others," said Schulha, who competed internationally as a teenager with an Alberta high school all-star wrestling team.
"We had so many outstanding wrestlers. Terri Tyson and Carmen Hage were the first two nationals champions we had from the school. They were standouts. The nationals were held in Regina that year (in the early 1990s), and to be there for that was very special. I remember going, 'Wow! First national champs from our school. Holy cow!'
"Something that always sticks in my brain is teaching a kid a throw and when they get off the mat with this huge smile on their face they go, 'Wow! I love this. I can't wait to try it in a tournament.' That to me is pure gold.
"Another highlight is when a kid loses every match but doesn't quit, and when they do win their first match it's like their nationals to them. They come up to me and go, 'I won! I won!' We've had tons of kids like that and it's extremely satisfying to see them so happy."
