Lachance wins Mitchell/Avery Memorial Trophy

Richard Lachance of Northern Secondary School is the 2007 winner of the Mitchell/Avery Memorial Trophy for contribution to football.

Football started for “Tchurd” as a junior player in 1976 for Northern. After playing four years of football, he returned to his alma mater in 1989 and began coaching both the bantam and junior programs.

In a short period of time, he restored the junior program at Northern and quickly made the team into a bona fide contender. His junior teams were able to win back to back NDA titles in 1992 and 1993.

They were league champions four years in a row and NDA finalists in three successive years, from 1994 to ‘96. In 1994, he was recognized by Football Ontario as builder of the year for his outstanding contribution and dedication to amateur football in the community.

One of Lachance’s goals had been to field a senior team at Northern and in 1996, he took over the head coaching duties. Even while coaching at a school that has the lowest student population, Lachance was able to field a team year in and year out. His team has been extremely competitive, making the playoffs every year.

In 2006, the Northern Braves finished second in the NDA and this past season, they finished a respectable third among six NDA schools.

His contribution to football has also included being an NDA convener five times and NOSSA convener twice.

His involvement at OFSAA, by becoming a member of the future direction committee, has enabled the Northern Ontario region to participate in the Bowl championships. He has been OFSAA convener for the Northern and Central Bowls on three occasions.

Over the past few years, Lachance has been a coach at summer football camps for Sports International in Smithfield, Rhode Island. He has also taken his players to a seven-on-seven high school touch football tournament at Milford Academy in Berlin, N.Y.

For more than 20 years, Lachance has been a driving force of football in the NDA. His outstanding work ethic and passion for the sport has been integral in the success he has been able to achieve in keeping football strong and alive at Northern.

Lachance will receive the Avery/Mitchell Trophy during the 28th annual North Bay Sports Hall of Fame and Awards dinner at Best Western North Bay, April 26.

Submitted to BayToday by the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame