One of the founding fathers of Chilliwack’s minor football program won an Orange Helmet award at last week’s banquet at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver.
The annual event celebrates amateur football and Bjorge won the ‘Pioneer’ award, which recognizes individuals who’ve contributed greatly to the growth of the sport in B.C.
Bjorge was one of the people who helped usher the Chilliwack Giants program into existence in 1992. Originally known as the Greyhawks, the program started with around 50 players. Today, it’s membership of players and cheerleaders approaches 400.
Bjorge is credited with helping usher in technological innovations, including the live-streaming of Giants games and the introduction of the mobile replay screen that is used for home games at Townsend Park.
“Looking back at all the little kids who came out to play football, and how they’ve grown up and become contributing adults society, that’s the highlight for me,” Bjorge said in his introductory video at the banquet.