Former WYH President Rogers Receives George Barker Lifetime Achievement Award

When former Winthrop Youth Hockey president Steve Rogers arrived at Larsen Rink at the Mike Eruzione Center, he wasn’t expecting an awards ceremony in his honor.

But current WYH President Steve Indrisano had surprised Rogers neatly, and there was a hearty round of applause as the Winthrop Police lieutenant entered the lobby.

And with that, Rogers was recognized with the esteemed George Barker Award.

“We are here to honor you today with the George Barker Award for dedicated service to Winthrop Youth Hockey,” began Indrisano. “Having served under you as you were the former president of Winthrop Youth Hockey, everything that you taught me, everything that I’ve done over the past terms, has been trying to aspire to do everything that you did.

“You couldn’t have been a better leader, a better role model, a better example of a person who cares so much about everyone else and did everything that you did for everyone else within this organization. You put in tremendous amount of work and effort into this program. This award is very well deserved,” concluded Indrisano.

In another tribute to Rogers, Winthrop Youth Hockey and WHS Girls Hockey Coach Anthony “Butch” Martucci noted, “Under his presidency, the girls’ youth hockey program won five district championship and five state champions. He was an inspirational leader of Winthrop Youth Hockey, allowing the entire program to flourish. I was honored to coach in the Winthrop Youth Hockey program under Steve Rogers as president.”

Martucci said he and his teams appreciated the Police and Fire escorts upon returning to the town after winning state titles. “He [Rogers] was the one who made sure that the girls always had a Police and Fire escort back into town for each of their state championship. I will never forget him doing that for the girls,” said Martucci.

George Barker Jr. said some of Rogers’ other accomplishments included organizing and creating Winthrop Youth Hockey Beach Day, WYH Pond Hockey, the Viking Camp, Try Hockey For Free Day, the WYH Newslettter, the Junior Dangle Club, the Lake Placid Trip, and hosting numerous state tournaments and district competitions.

Membership in Winthrop Youth Hockey increased by 30 percent during Rogers’ presidency, added Barker. Rogers also started the Steve Acone Scholarship for Winthrop High students in memory of the former WHS star and police officer.

Rogers said in brief acceptance speech, “So many other guys in here did a lot of hard work, too. Thank you, everyone. I get misty eyed, so I’m going to stop.”

Rogers served as president of Winthrop Youth Hockey for six years as part of a 20-year run in the organization. He continues to direct the Steve Acone Memorial Hockey Tournament in memory of his childhood friend and neighbor.

Rogers said he played JV hockey for the Winthrop High School Vikings. “The 1984 team was a very talented team, but I made the JV team, and I was very happy,” he said.

Rogers became a Winthrop Police officer in 1992 and has served for 30 years in the Department. His wife, Kim Rogers, their children, Stephen and Jenn, sister, Eileen, and brother, Frank, and other family members attended the awards ceremony.

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