Bill Page

"If the worth of a man is measured by the lives he has touched, Bill Page would be a giant."
Sean Rooney -Medicine Hat News, March 10, 2005

His name is synonymous with boxing in Medicine Hat and Area.

Born in Medicine Hat, Bill grew up in an environment where boxing and rodeo thrived. His father was best friends with the legendary Ev Nieman (fellow inductee on the Sport Wall of Fame), who coached him in the Golden Gloves Tournament in 1958. He lost the bout, but his bigger victories were yet to come.

In 1975, together with Ev, a single punching bag in a basement and some eager youngsters who wanted to learn the sport of boxing, it was the beginning of what was soon to be the Medicine Hat Boxing Club. They did not have any money, so when the opportunity presented itself, they were happy to find their home at the Gas City Kiwanis Centre. The club started with a few eager members and then grew to a great number of young boxers.

These young people were now able to be involved in something that developed their skills, inspired camaraderie, physical fitness, and boosted their confidence. Many say that Mr. Page was a patient and knowledgeable coach who mentored young athletes and provided them with the proper skills to become a boxer. He helped them to compete and achieve successes along with the acceptance of losses which are the making of a good sportsman. Good sportsmanship is truly a character-building trait which helps to make good people/citizens.

Bill’s philosophy with all young people was to ensure that they were treated fairly, respected as individuals, that they too respected others and became productive members of our community. You would hear his athletes say ‘He stood behind me when times were tough, while others were walking away and taught me to stand proud.” Becoming a provincial or national boxing champion was a nice by-product.

Mr. Page’s contribution was huge, spending countless hours both coaching and travelling with athletes and organizing fight cards so that they were able to compete throughout or with boxers from Alberta, all across Canada and into the United States. There was always a cost to travel and bring in fighters for cards, but Bill always seemed to make this work. It was often wondered if Bill did not pay for a lot of the boxing club’s expenses himself just for the betterment of boxing in Medicine Hat.

His goal in all cases was to not only make good athletes but good people of anyone who was fortunate enough to be coached by him. He saw the potential in many, even when they seemed to be ‘bad apples,’ never discouraged by what many saw as unteachable. His dedication was to athletes of any nationality/ethnicity, to underprivileged as well to anyone who was inclined to learn to box, many who might not have had anything to aspire to if not for Page. For many, he was a father figure, someone to look up to and learn from. There were some that may have been headed for a life down the wrong path, if not for the determination of Bill Page.

In 1990, Bill started the Badlands Boxing Club in Patricia, Alberta while remaining involved with the Medicine Hat Boxing Club. This kept him busy with four nights a week between both clubs. Over time, through Bill’s guidance, the Boxing Clubs were turned over to boxers he had trained, while he remained on as an advisor.

With the help of his daughter Laurie who was instrumental with this program, in 1994 he started Women’s Boxing in Medicine Hat. Where initially women saw boxing as self defense, some that went on to compete for the love of the sport.

Bill was a voracious reader. He taught himself endlessly about boxing, sports, and human nature, always looking for new training techniques. He was the very first boxing coach in Canada to implement mental health training for young competing athletes, recognizing the importance of adding this to their overall training.

The remarkable thing about Bill Page’s contribution over a period of over thirty years is that he gave tirelessly of himself to the sport of boxing and helped so many kids over a lifetime. He never complained or missed a night at the club, even when he lived in the country and traveled to and from town.

His calm, professional approach, and genuine interest in helping and getting to know members of the club formed many bonds over the years, many of them extending over generations. Many who had joined the club as young people brought their own children down to the club. Over the years he not only helped young adults becoming excellent boxers but has helped these individuals who at times would have had very little direction in their lives. He helped many young offenders stay off the streets.

Over the years, Bill was recognized for his dedication to Boxing and the young people he served. He received the following accolades:

• 1979 – Sportsman of the Year
• 1996 Civic Recognition Award
• 2005 – Inductee in the Alberta Sport Hall of Fame
• Alberta Amateur Boxing Association (AABA) – Life Member
• AABA - Presidents Award
• Canadian Amateur Boxing Association (CABC) – Executive Member
• Numerous coaching awards

It is impossible to measure all the hours Bill Page gave to this sport or the number of young lives he influenced in such a positive way. He was a man with the belief that how you live your life, your family, your achievements, far outweigh any material possessions and fame one might gain.

When, upon hearing that he received the Alberta Sport Wall of Fame induction, Bill humbly said “It’s very nice and I am honored, but I never did anything for that. I did everything for what you might call altruistic reasons. I’m just here to help these young guys out. That’s what it is all about” Some would say if Bill was with us today….. he would echo the same sentiment. ‘It’s all for the kids.‘