FED Officers Left to Right
Terry Finnerty, Lee Kohli, Jim Bedell
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For the first time since its founding nearly 20 years ago, the Ohio-Penn Racing Pigeon Federation has transitioned to new leadership. On December 19, 2009, officers of the organization met in Youngstown, Ohio, at its annual business meeting for the primary purpose of electing and installing new officers. The meeting was attended by representatives from northeastern Ohio, western and northern Pennsylvania, and as far east as New York state. Succeeding founding President Mr. Bill Gallik, who has decided to slow down, is ABC Concourse President Mr. Jim Bedell, of Akron, Ohio. Bedell, with national race experience as a principal in the Greater Akron Racers Club's Northeast Ohio "GNEO" futurity, "brings an abundance of race management experience, fresh perspectives and historical appreciation to this great federation racing format that so many of us have worked so hard to perpetuate" announced Gallik.
Also, reducing his work load is 85 year old, founding Federation Secretary Mr. Harry Boos, of Stow, Ohio, who will continue to influence the board as Federation Treasurer. Boos was replaced by Mr. Lee Kohli of Winesburg, Ohio, elected, also, to the new position of Publicity Officer. Re-elected to the difficult position of Federation Race Secretary, for his third term, is Mr. Terry Finnerty of Cleveland, Ohio. Founding committee member, Mr. Jim "GI" Timmons, of Salem, Ohio, was re-elected unanimously as Federation Liberator, a position requiring "good instincts", that he has held effectively for nearly 20 years.
The "Federation" was organized in 1992, by a "committee of six" pigeon racing free thinkers, coming together from many different combines, to establish a "great race" that promised national recognition for winners, fierce competition, and economies of scale to reduce shipping costs. The original group consisted of Bill Gallik, Harry Boos, Jim Timmons, Jack Welling, Sam Badger, and Jim Hazek. "At the time, our wish was to establish a pre-eminent 500 mile race with bird entry that would exceed 1000 birds, and grow in prominence, as had the New England Open, and other races in Europe", said founding Federation Secretary Harry Boos.
Today, knowing that some clubs cannot peaceably get even five members to agree on a simple seasonal racing schedule, it is testimony to the "committee's" uncanny ability to find common purpose that this race grew to nearly 200 lofts, with 2500 birds competing, at its peak in 1996. In 2001, the Federation fathers added a 400 mile race, expanded again with a second 400 in 2005 and 2007, eliminated the second 400 in 2008, when they fine-tuned the schedule with a season opening 300 mile preparation race. The American Racing Pigeon Union stepped forward in 2003, agreeing to donate trophies to the first "AU" loft in each of the, now three, Federation races.
The Federation currently has seven competing sections, awarding one overall winner, seven section winners, and one champion loft (based on points obtained in the top 50 birds per individual entry) for each of three races. Winners are featured in the Racing Pigeon Digest each spring. Funding is raised through a "Winners' Auction" every November, which serves the dual purpose of being a mini "NFL Draft", making available to all aspiring competitors, "the genetics that has gotten it done".
As the sport in Ohio, western Pennsylvania and New York State ages, and faces diminished participation, the Ohio-Penn Federation races provide hope for those seriously worried about classic, old bird, long distance racing. The torch has now officially been passed. Those that have stepped to the fore, are appreciative to the "committee of six" for their foresight, dedicated to their cause and challenged by the opportunity to take the Federation to yet another level of perfection in the difficult 21st century. The Federation today, stands as a symbol to the rest of America's racing pigeon fraternity as to what can be accomplished when reasonable men with foresight put aside petty differences, and work together for the benefit of the great sport we love.
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