One of the awards handed out annually at the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame ceremony is the Coach of The Year honour. At the Oct. 5 ceremony, it will be Joey Rampton who will be inducted in that category.
The 50-year-old physician will join an illustrious group of coaches to be honoured in the BSHOF, and despite a long list of accomplishments, admits he’ll feel completely out of place at the induction.
“I’m only 50 years old. I figured this would be an honour reserved for older people or those who have passed on. It’s very humbling and I was quite shocked when I was told; I haven’t told many friends as I want to hold off until it’s all done with on Wednesday.”
Humbling as it may be, Rampton’s list of accomplishments is fully deserving of the recognition he is getting. A successful coach in both of Canada’s national games, Rampton won championships with Barrie Minor Lacrosse in 2010/2011 as well as with the Barrie Minor Hockey Association in the years he’s been coaching there. Hockey is where his true coaching passion lies and the man once drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round in 1984 knows that his induction has to do with the game on ice.
“I’ve always loved both lacrosse and hockey, but hockey is where I am mainly active with the BMHA,” said Rampton. “I grew up playing the game and in an area famous minor hockey (the Ottawa Valley) so it’s been a major part of most of my life.”
A member of the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, Rampton eventually went on to play for Western University where his team won the CIAU National Championship. Medicine was his eventual calling though and he went also to the University of Toronto to not only play hockey but to attend medical school.
“The OHL wasn’t what it is now with the scholarships and benefits,” said Rampton. “I made a choice to focus on a career rather than a dream of hockey. It’s the same thing I’ll tell parents and players now; very few kids grow up to get into the NHL so make sure that you’ve got something to fall back on or focus on while you play. As cliché as it is, it’s the only way to make sure of your own success.”
Rampton’s route back to hockey came about 10 years ago when his son was playing and the already busy family man realized it would be a great way to stay connected.
“That’s how they get you,” joked Rampton. “Seriously, it is great to be able to look back and know you were there with your kids as a coach or any part of the team; that you shared those successes and failures together and can laugh about them together.”
By his resume, it appears that successes were the main focal point of conversation in the Rampton household. Taking the AA Central Ontario Wolves to the AAA Tournament Championship in 2007/2008, Rampton’s squads were the York Simcoe Hockey League Champions for three years. Three Ontario Minor Hockey Association Championships, two International Silverstick titles added to the fact that since 2012, the BMHA teams that he has coached have been ranked nationally make Rampton a well respected coach.
“I can’t sit here and say that’s not the focus because of course winning is the focus, but it’s truly not my main focus,” said Rampton. “I think as a coach I’ve been successful by learning from all the coaches I’ve had over the years. Now I’m responsible for many other kids who are looking not just to win, but to be a part of a team. Some kids are on these teams because they have parents who feel they’re going to go places. The kids just want to make friends and play a game. That needs to be nurtured and honoured. We’ll play as a team and win or lose as a team, but we’re playing for the team and our friends on that bench.”
Rampton is valued throughout the BMHA as a volunteer who has dedicated many hours to the association through the teams he coaches and to other coaches throughout the program. He often assists other coaches with practice plans, team challenges and is always willing to offer advice when needed. Rampton admits that coaching isn’t for everyone and warns others before getting in that you not only need to plan well, but be thick-skinned too.
“I’m hesitant to advise friends to get into head coaching at a young age,” said Rampton. “You go in thinking you’re going to have a great impact on some kids’ future careers and you’re going to win so many games. Then when you don’t the parents may be hard on you and you feel like others are laying blame on you for their kids losing interest in the sport. First of all, most kids don’t know what they want to play and are just trying it out. Secondly, your job is to coach, not necessarily win. Be a positive leader in the kids’ lives, help them have fun. I prefer practice over the games any day - watching the players learn something new and finally getting it.”
One of the squads that clearly “got it” was the Major Bantam AA squad from last year that became Ontario Hockey Federation champions. Rampton’s boys are also being inducted at the BSHOF ceremony in the team category. Coaching championship teams, being in a band that raises money for local charities, a physician and raising five kids seems like an impossible task and makes one wonder what Rampton does for free time.
“Not much, but I don’t dare tell my wife I’m going golfing or having a boy’s night out. All kidding aside, my wife and I make sure we make lots of room for family time, and that’s where the best moments come from.”
