Ballem was Island school sport pioneer

Charlie Ballem, a pioneer in developing school sport in P.E.I., has died.

Ballem died peacefully Tuesday at Parkstone Enhanced Care nursing home in Halifax, N.S.

He was 80.

He was born in Mt. Albion, P.E.I., the son of Hannah and Joshua Ballem.

Inducted in 2007 into the Sports Hall of Fame as a sports builder, Ballem left an indelible mark on Island sport.

He has been described as a physical education teacher (he started in 1957 at Summerside High School) who molded the lives of many young students as an award winning teacher and personable coach, instilling respect in those he taught and coached.

He was instrumental in the development of both a house system and intramurals that involved 90 per cent of the students in meaningful sports programs.

Ballem provided the leadership that developed the P.E.I. Schools Athletic Association from an idea of a few forward thinking individuals into the successful program that it is today.

He served as the first president, writing the constitution, by-laws and policy handbook for the fledgling organization - documents that continue to serve as a reference for operational decisions of the association today.

Ballem continued to serve on the executive until 1969, when he accepted a position as provincial consultant in sport, physical education and recreation with the Department of Education in Charlottetown.

Later, he became executive director of the P.E.I. School Athletic Association.

Former Island cabinet minister Jamie Ballem lauded his Uncle Charlie during the Sports Hall of Fame induction three years ago as a man who had great influence in the way school sport was structured in the seventies.

He noted one of Ballem's greatest contributions was to enforce the professionalization of physical education programs in the province.

With assistance from the physical education coordinators, the first official phys ed curriculum was developed in the mid-70s.

In 1978, Ballem became head of the recreation division in the School of Recreation, Physical and Health Education at Dalhousie University.

Author of numerous articles published in the Island Magazine, Ballem also wrote "More Than Just A Game: 100 Years of Organized Sport in Prince Edward Island 1850-1950".

Many of the inductees of the P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame have had their nominations researched and signed by Ballem, who has been described as a humble, modest and gentle gentleman.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Jay Ballem, and by his daughter, Jennifer Ballem.

He was predeceased by his son, Ronald.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ballem's life at a memorial service on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Birch Cove Baptist Church at 60 Donaldson Ave. in Halifax.

Visitation at reception to follow in the church hall.

There will also be a memorial service Friday at 3 p.m. in Charlottetown at the First Baptist Church at 235 Prince St.

Visitation at reception to follow in the church hall.

jday@theguardian.pe.ca