Jim Korpela
| By: Joe Fusco Jr., Rome Observer |
05/29/2008 |
As Jim and I are both toping the 50 mark this year, (I'm cresting the hill a scant six days before Jimmy), we talked a little about personal accomplishments and how they can affect you differently. Last year, Jim dropped a hole-in-one while playing with friends at Celebration Golf Course down in Florida; on hole number "5," no less.
I asked him how the honor being bestowed upon him rated with the hole-in-one.
"The-hole-in-one resulted in a lot of personal excitement," explained Jim. "The physical challenge, together with a lot of luck, made for a great memory, but tonight it's much more emotional. To realize that after all these years my efforts and dedication to a cause are being appreciated to the extent of being honored and recognized by my peers in this fashion is truly a humbling experience. I have never been choked up like I was the night I read the first week's schedule and realized what they were doing. It's a great feeling, it really means a lot."
We talked about a great deal more and I interviewed some of the guys that are taking over the league, but after reading a wonderfully prepared testimonial to Jim by one of the new board members, I realized who better to give thanks and praise than the fellahs that are stepping up to the plate and experiencing first-hand all the responsibility that Jimmy shouldered for many years.
So I submit to you the following piece, titled, "A Tribute to One of Rome's Living Sports Legends" - by Mike Kohli, RMSA Board Member:
This past week marked a new beginning in a number of ways for recreational softball in Rome, N.Y. Prior to last season, men's softball in Rome was administered by one person. When this individual retired from running the league to focus on other things, a board of five people took over in an attempt to do what just one man had done for the past 22 years.
This man is Jim Korpela. Many know him as the proprietor of the pre-eminent sports bar in Rome, Korp's Corner on West Dominick Street. However, he is much more than that.
Running the largest recreational activity in Rome is a daunting task for a board of directors. Imagine running it for over 20 years, by yourself. This is what Jim did, among the several other activities he has had his hands in over the years.
To open the 2008 season, the newly created Board of Directors for the Rome Men's Softball Association honored their predecessor with a plaque, a league shirt and an official proclamation from Mayor James Brown on the 15th of May, 2008.
In addition to these accolades, the board has renamed the Thursday night league The Jim Korpela League, which, as fate would have it, features several of the teams and players Korp has played with, against, and sponsored over the years. Jim took time out from his Thursday night golf league to attend the low-key ceremony honoring him and in true Korp fashion; he was humbled and slightly embarrassed by the honor.
After all, it is a rare occasion when someone yet to reach the age of 50 (which his son Jim told me he will do on August 3 of this year), is honored in such a way.
Korp is a true Rome sports legend. He has been active in just about every sport at every level throughout his life. In addition to running men's softball for all those years, Jim was active in coaching Smith Post American Legion baseball with the Abones (Tony Abone, Jr. is little Jim's godfather). Among his famous protégés at Smith Post is Archi Cianfrocco, who played Major League Baseball with the Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres.
Not only is Korp a coach, he is a player as well. Among the sports he has participated in at a high level are hockey, bowling, softball, and golf. He was a member of the infamous semi-pro hockey team the Copper City Chiefs, as well as an active member in the Rome Men's Senior Hockey League.
Jim also participated in the regional Professional Bowling Association Tour while in his 30s and is a member of the Rome Bowling Hall of Fame.
He's also lead a softball career that has spanned several decades and has seen many accomplishments. Among them are participating in national B and C level tournaments in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. He also played for Burt's in the Utica MUNY League, who made nationals four years in a row. This team was also sponsored by the national equipment company, Mizuno, and their best finish in the nationals was sixth out of 108 teams.
Korp's son says, "His best quality is leadership. He always takes care of everything, whether it is making the jerseys or hats, registering for a league, or organizing travel itineraries." The younger Korp also recalls, "many times when there were 12 guys for softball and knowing he was one of the better players on the team, he'd sit out because he wanted to make everyone else happy." He often sponsored the teams he played on, whether it was in hockey, softball or bowling.
In speaking with another of Rome's softball legends, Dave Leonbruno, I discovered a true respect for Korp among his fellow players. Leonbruno said that in all the 30-plus years of softball he has played; in all the many tournaments he has participated in around the state and throughout the country, "Korp, in his prime, was the best true softball player I ever played with or against." A more fitting tribute could not have been made.
Aside from his leadership abilities, Jim is a true community servant with a huge heart. Korp selflessly gives his time for the Rome Men's Amateur Golf Tournament each year. He helps to organize the annual event as well as participating in it.
His proudest association, however, is as a board member of the Bobby Page Foundation. The Page family has been friends of the Korpela's for years. They met through hockey and Bobby could sometimes be found hanging out at Korp's Corner along with his brother, Aaron, after a Senior League hockey game. Jim has immense pride in helping the foundation to aid the youth of the area through the Page Foundation. For more information on the Bobby Page Foundation and the events they sponsor throughout the year, visit the Web site at: www.bobbypage5.com
All in all, Korp may be embarrassed by the accolades being thrown his way, but without his leadership and drive, sports and recreation in Rome would not be what it is today. Anyone that participates in Rome sports owes a debt of gratitude to Jim Korpela. He is truly a Rome sports legend; a legend that will only grow larger in time.
The Rome Men's Softball Association takes a great deal of pride in showing its appreciation for all Jim has done to keep softball alive in Rome after all these years by naming a league after him. Future generations of softball players will be able to continue their recreational activities well into adulthood thanks to people like Jim Korpela.
A special thank you to young Jim Korpela for providing me with much of the information that went into compiling this article, not many former players still call me "coach." Thanks Korp.
Rome Men's Softball is an ASA-affiliated, non-profit, adult slow-pitch softball league dedicated to furthering recreational opportunities for men 18 and over in the Rome area. Leagues are held each Sunday, Monday and Thursday evening throughout the summer at the Haselton-Wright Park Softball Complex on Riverview Parkway North in Rome. For more information visit the Web site at:
www.romemenssoftball.org
©Rome
Observer 2008
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