Dean of Dedication
A textbook definition of the word dedication is: A commitment to a course of action through selfless devotion.
But to understand the real-life meaning, you must drop by Glashan Public School and observe Rick Desclouds.
But you’ll have to get there early and soon to watch the Dean of Dedication, a single father of two adult boys who built a volleyball — alright sports — empire during the past four decades at the Ottawa intermediate (Grades 7-8) school.
A competitive but caring coach, Desclouds, 59, prefers to cast the spotlight on his players to explain Glashan’s success. But he’s scheduled to have the spotlight all to himself during his retirement celebration at the Ottawa Curling Club. The school paid tribute to Desclouds on Saturday by staging a volleyball tournament and barbecue for past students.
Desclouds has been a fixture at Glashan for the past 37 years….
On the volleyball court, Desclouds guided the Glashan Spikers boys’ team for 35 years, winning 32 Ottawa-Carleton Elementary Athletics Association titles, and 10 school championships from 14 Ontario Cup finals over 30 years. He credits the school’s volleyball success to its Open Gym program.
He estimates the boys’ career match record at 1,500 wins and 35 losses. This year’s record, 71-1, is indicative of success from past years. Glashan’s only loss came in the quarterfinals of the Ontario Cup. It’s little wonder the Glashan school gym was renamed the Rick Desclouds Gym in 2009…
Get the full story from Martin Cleary, The Ottawa Citizen
