It was with that dedication in mind that MJLAX presented Ingalls with the first-ever Builder Award prior to the Bantam Mustangs playoff game on Wednesday night, an honour that came as a surprise as Ingalls thought she was on hand to help with a special presentation to the departing Steve Michaluk.
“It means so much to me, I’m actually quite emotional right now, if I talk I’ll probably start crying,” Ingalls said with a laugh. “I don’t think I was alone as a builder in any of the 10 years I put into the association. I had great mentorship with Barry Stewart and Steve Michaluk and many people across Saskatchewan helped me out.”
Ingalls joined the organization at a time when MJLAX was at a bit of a crossroads – registration was down, finances were in a bit of trouble, and in general there was work to do to bring things back to where they were.
Like so many other parents who spent amazing amounts of time as volunteers, Ingalls started because her youngsters, Quinn and Piper, were getting involved in the sport. In fact, Quinn Ingalls has since gone on to play internationally with Team Canada, currently plays for the Saskatchewan SWAT junior ‘A’ team and will be playing Division II lacrosse in the U.S. this fall.
“I’ve been watching them since they were four years old grow with this association and the sport,” Ingalls said. “Now we’re at 60-some kids, which is pretty incredible for a town this size.”
Current MJLAX president Cody Nidesh felt the award was a natural fit for Ingalls given her dedication to the sport.
“Bobbi just always had the time for people, she has an unreal personality and treats everyone equal, she’s gone to bat for multiple associations in the province,” he said. “At the end of the day, she has a passion for the game and she’s just been a credit to the organization.”
Nidesh added that Moose Jaw lacrosse would be in a far different place if not for Ingalls’ time.
“Between her and (longtime vice-president) Carrie (Johnson), for years they put countless hours into getting it financially secure and promoting it,” Nidesh said. “There are countless volunteer hours she put into it. She had two kids playing the sport at the same time and still managed to do everything she did… and she’s been a mentor to myself and it’s great to have her coming back (as past president) and giving to the sport in general.”
