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Bob Bernier Honored With CIAC Merit Award
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shoutout goes to a former Putnam High School cross country and track stand Bob Girard. Known familiarly around Putnam as “Bob the barber,” Girard celebrated his 74th birthday on March 20. Happy birthday and keep snipping away, Bob.
The world of officiating athletic events is akin to being an elected official. Whatever the sport officials like politicians are always only 50% correct. It takes special individuals to put on the striped shirt or the mask and go out day after day, season after season, for years on end. One such person is Bob Bernier, who’s devoted four decades officiating basketball and mentoring young referees.
On Friday, March 15 prior to the start of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference boys and girls State championship tournaments Bernier was honored by the organization when he was one of four people presented with the prestigious CIAC Merit Award. He was recognized for his work as a referee, administrator and work in improving basketball officiating in general.
Bernier became an IAABO member in 1977 when he joined the Eastern Board #8. He remained active on the court through 1993, officiating high school and NCAA Division II and III college games. But his love of officiating also kept him active in other capacities. He’s served as secretary and president of Board #8, is a past president of the State Board and currently serves as the Women’s Coordinating Chair for IAABO, CT State Board of Directors, CT State Board Women’s Basketball Chair, and as a CIAC Girls’ Basketball Committee advisor.
As the recipient of the Merit Award his selection was also based on other achievements outside of the world of basketball officiating. Bernier graduated from Putnam High School in 1965, where he was one of four Clipper athletes who played football, basketball and baseball during his four years in high school.
Following high school he enrolled at Johnson & Wales Jr. College where he was a member of the JWC golf team. His college life was interrupted during the height of the Vietnam War when he was drafted into the United States Army. He served in Vietnam as an operations and intelligence specialist until his discharge in 1970.
Upon being discharged he returned to Johnson & Wales where he served as the assistant golf coach, helping to lead the team to the NJCAA finals in Flint, Michigan. In 1973, he reconnected with his former high school buddy, Jeff Jankot, who like Bernier had served in Vietnam, where he was wounded and lost his eye sight in the line of duty.
Jankot, who previous to his wartime injury had aspired to become a PGA professional, hooked up with Bernier as coach and player as a member of the National Blind Golfers Association. Bernier traveled to Massachusetts weekly to work with Jankot on his golf game. Eventually the partnership paid off as in 1992 Jankot fired rounds of 93-92 to become the National Blind Golfers Champion. The two remain very close friends to this day.
Bernier, at the request of the CIAC most recently has played an active role in recruiting and developing female officials. He continues in an active role, promoting women’s basketball and opportunities for women in basketball officiating. He was part of a team that developed the first ever IAABO Women’s Basketball Officiating School at the University of New Haven and in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
In real life, Bernier retired from the Connecticut Department of Transportation after 27 years of service. He currently works in a part time capacity at Connecticut National Golf Club.
The Merit Award is the second meaningful award Bernier’s received relating to basketball officiating. In 2011 IAABO presented him with a Life Membership for his outstanding service to basketball officiating. Bernier’s life on and off the basketball court has been characterized as a “true giver rather than receiver.” The Merit Award is truly fitting and deserved for Putnam native Bob Bernier.
Plainfield Runner Honored by ECC…
The Eastern Connecticut Conference Female Athlete of the Month for February is Plainfield High School indoor track standout Kerri Ruffo. The award is presented by the Byrnes Agency of Dayville, Woodstock and Norwich. In February the Plainfield junior racked up a number of strong performances in leading the Lady Panther tracksters at conference and State meets.
In the ECC Small Division Championship, Ruffo tallied 28 points including victories in the 1600m and 3200m races as well as a 2nd place finish in the 1000m. As the team moved to the Class S Championship, Ruffo continued to lead, pacing the 4x800m relay team to a 3rd place finish while individually placing 3rd in the 3200m, which qualified her for the CIAC Open meet where she finished 6th. Her State Open performance earned her a spot in the New England Championships on March 2 where she finished her outstanding indoor season with an 18th place finish.
Ruffo is the second Plainfield female athlete to win the ECC award. Morgan Griffin of the Plainfield basketball team was the December and January winner.
On The Mend…
A few weeks back RPC mentioned that former Putnam High School three-sport athlete Gerry Vaillant had been hospitalized with cardiac issues and related surgery. Since then Vaillant has had a number of returns to the hospital but we’re pleased to report that he’s currently doing much better and is on the mend.
Although he continues to require rehabilitation services, Vaillant is in the friendly confines of his home. He reports that he’s received numerous get well card since it was first reported he was hospitalized. If you’ve ever been a patient, it’s warming to receive get-well cards and it helps the healing process. Send Vaillant a note at 13 Memorial Terrace, Putnam 06260.
Unified Basketball Teams Take Center Court…
The ECC, CIAC and Special Olympics held their Unified Sports Basketball Tournament on March 11 at Norwich Free Academy. Congratulations to Killingly, Plainfield and Woodstock Academy for being part of this successful event. Ashley Lebeau, a member of the Woodstock Academy team was part of the opening ceremonies with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem.
RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: “When you go through trying times, you don’t stop trying.” Kevin Ollie, University of Connecticut Men’s Basketball Coach