Beth Koggel

Soccer, coaching, canoeing and horses were just some of the late Beth Koggel’s many interests and contributions to Glengarry sport. Born in 1962 in St. Eustache, Elizabeth (Beth) Jean was sister to brothers Robert and Don Lancaster and was an accomplished equestrian, archer, swimmer, soccer, baseball player and coach.

She was always a sports enthusiast and received an honour degree in outdoor education from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay after having spent much time on the water.
Koggel was Lynne Gallant’s canoeing partner and together they paddled the white water canoe circuit, winning many competitions all over Ontario. They were featured in the Ottawa Citizen and were members of Alexandria’s canoeing club along with Maurice Sauve and Bruno Major.

Beth was a lifeguard for Charlan at Charlottenburgh and Raisin River Parks. She taught swimming lessons in Glengarry and life guarded while at university. Upon her return to the area, she led the Girl Guide troop in Green Valley, competed in various Arabian horse shows including Williamstown, and played soccer and baseball in Alexandria and North Lancaster. A hard worker to the core, she had several jobs before starting with DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association).

It was after a blind date set up by Lawrence St. Denis to the Holstein Banquet in 1986 that she married Danny Koggel originally from Laggan. Together they had four children; Ashley, Kalica, Hayleigh and Desiree, all while running a farm of 1500 pigs near Bainsville. The girls remember their mother fondly and attribute their love of sports to her. “She taught us to be the best we could be,” reminisces oldest daughter Ashley. “We started playing co-ed soccer when we were five years old.” Koggel was not only a soccer mom who took the girls to every practice and game, she also coached in the Glengarry Soccer League for over ten years, coached the Glengarry Hearts for four years, coached the Cornwall Blazers for two years, and she played herself.

On top of that she helped out in the barn, competed with her purebred Arabains, taught horse back riding at Forever Green Stables in Glen Robertson and ran their summer camp there for years.
The energetic mom cause quite a stir when she coached in North Lancaster as she was the only lady coach around at the time. She believed strongly in improving athletic ability and was instrumental in starting travelling teams in hopes of advancing children’s soccer skills. “They went to tournaments everywhere,” says widower Danny who supported her love of sports. “They won many games for years, including premier travelling divisions!”

The busy mom never seemed to quit. “She was always there for us,” recalls Ashley. “Even at school where she helped teach, coach and even drove school buses for a while.” Beth was also involved in sports activities at S. J. MacLeod Public School. She coached and refereed soccer, baseball, and was monitor for skating. She was active in both the track and field programs and as well as the Parent Teaching Association. “She was an amazing mom,” states Ashley who is thrilled that grandmother Sharon Davidson Nominated her. “She would be honoured for this tribute in the world of sports,” Danny Koggel agrees.

“She was so busy working and coaching that I had to learn how to cook for myself. I learned a lot from her. She was my best friend,” he says.
Beth passed away nearly five years after a bout with uterine cancer, but will be proudly remembered while her memory lives on in the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame.