Club 240

Special Awards | Club | 2003

Founded by the late Jimmy Hogan, inductee into the Windsor-Essex County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.

Club 240 had its beginnings in 1960, when Jimmy’s kids started playing outdoor hockey at Memorial Park. At that time the only league operating indoors was Midget; the outdoor season was limited to only 7 or 8 games, as the city didn’t allow teams to go beyond the league into the Ontario Minor Hockey Association playdowns (OMHA).

Jimmy saw notice about a Pee Wee tournament in Leamington; gathered some kids together; obtained sponsoring from Ford Local 240, of which he was President, and off they went. While there he realized how much further advanced other entries were, and was determined to keep his team going. He started 50-50 draws in the Ford Office, gained $100 or so every month, also held raffles, sold chocolate bars, anything to make a dime. When Jimmy left Ford’s in 1962 for a position with UAW International Union, the money raising programs fell apart. To keep things going or not was now a serious question. That is when he thought about forming a Club. His brother Eddie was one of the founders of the Choristers Athletic Club in 1954, another community Youth Sports Organization.

With considerable assistance from Murray Ewing, the first 10 – man Board of Directors was formed, consisting of Jimmy, Ewing, Ed Kornacki, Carl Popkey, Eddie Hogan, John Wood, Art Butcher, Bob Hind, Ron McNamara, Sam Loreto. Jimmy served as President from 1965-74.

Club 240’s first sponsored team was the 1965 Windsor Minor Hockey Juvenile entry that included future NHL star Rick Kehoe. Other NHL’ers to wear Club 240 jerseys are Brad Smith, Ed Jovanovski. Tommy Williams, John Tucker, Bob Probert and Darren Banks. Club 240 annually provides Windsor Minor Hockey with $8-$10 thousand for Travel Teams.

A successful Club 240 hockey coach was Rick Cranker (1976-87). He began in the House League. then three years with Juvenile, seven with Midget travel teams. His teams made OMHA semi-finals once in Juvenile, twice in Midget. They won seven Ontario Bluewater League Midget, two Juvenile titles and two Michigan League Midget Titles. Also won three Midget and two Juvenile titles in “Silver Stick” Tournaments. Rick honed talents of future NHL’ers Bob Probert, Darren Banks, John Tucker, and Windsor Spitfires Jr. A players, Rick Pickersgill, J.D. Urbanic, Mark Seguin. Club 240 Teams won two OMHA Titles, 1974-75 Juvenile “AAA”, coached by Barry Waddick, the first Windsor Minor team to win an OMHA Title. They defeated Sarnia, London, Waterloo, St. Catharines, Oshawa for the OMHA Title, Wexford for Southern Ontario crown, and Northern Ontario Champs Rouyn-Noranda for All-Ontario Title. They remain the only Windsor Minor team to win an All-Ontario Title. The other OMHA Title was won by 1976-77 Atom Major “AAA”, coached by Jimmy Campbell, Rick Martinello. Lanny Bornais coached Club 240 Juveniles to OMHA “AAA” final in 1970.

Another successful Club 240 coach was ” Punky” Bracken,who for twelve years coached girls Bantam and Midget Volleyball teams. The Bantams played in OVA Provincial events, won several Tournaments, Midgets in OVA and National Tourneys. The Midgets competed in five Ontario finals, won back-to-back Gold Medals in ’84 ’85, and three Silver Medals. They competed at five Canadian Championships. Many Club 240 Volleyball grads led High Schools to WECSSA Titles, and attained All-City status. Among those who played in College were Trina Forcellini (U. of Texas), Sandy Burke (Western Michigan), Anna Bodicka (Ohio St.). Jody Beaugrand (U. of Windsor), Anna Kosmauvic (U. of Waterloo), Kelly Breutigan 1st Team All-Canadian at Lakehead University. One year at U. of Windsor, 7 of 9 players were Club 240 grads

Club 240 has sponsored as many as 16 activities annually (currently 12) for boys and girls (age 18 & under), baseball, basketball, hockey, volleyball, track & field, football, softball, lacrosse, swimming, soccer, curling, bowling, boxing, golf, marathons, and cheerleading. Club 240 Sport Convenors are: Bob Oliver (Bowling), Ed Kornacki (Soccer, Curling. Girls Fastball). John Foglia (Track & Field), Bill Courtney (Golf), John Kaschak (Little League Baseball), “Punky” Bracken (Volleyball & Baseball Camp), Mike Soulliere (Lacrosse), Pat Paterson (High School Leadership Program), Eddie Hogan Jr. (Football), Phoebee Hogan (Bingo’s), Eddie Hogan Sr. (U. of Windsor). The current Executive Commitee consists of Eddie Hogan Jr. – President, Pat Paterson – Vice President, Eddie Hogan Sr. – Treasurer, Sam Sisco – Secretary.

Club 240 via the annual Jimmy Hogan Memorial Bursaries, donates $2000 for excellence in Academics and Hockey ability to U. of Windsor. They also assist in sponsorship of U. of Windsor’s annual High School Sr. Boy’s Christmas Basketball Tournament, the longest running of its kind in Canada. They also support “Windsor Ice” in their quest to raise funds for “Twinning” (second rink) some local Arenas. Each year Club 240 sponsors Core City Hoops Basketball Camp, and the past 10-years has sponsored a team in the Forest Glade Girls Fastball League. Their annual Jr. Golf Tournament has been in existence for over 30 years. Sponsoring Fees since 1965 have totaled over $1 million, raised through Bingo’s, Raffles, Clyde Bros. Circus, and other special events. Currently Bingo’s are the sole source of revenues. Club 240 contributes $35 – $40 thousand yearly in support of youth sports.