GAYLORD �” Tom Raithel’s home is the Northland Sportsmen’s Club.

Named the 2008 Sportsman of the Year, Raithel said he was “really surprised” when his name was called for the honor.

“Other members are just as committed to the club and put in just as much time as I do,” said a humbled Raithel. “That’s why I’m so honored.”

His compatriots may disagree.

“He’s at the club 90 percent of the time,” laughed 2007 recipient Jim Yeoman. “He’s ingratiated himself into the club.”

Raithel moved to the Gaylord area with his wife, Terri, upon his retirement from Chrysler’s Trenton Engine plant in 2003. Since then, he’s had his hand in just about everything, from running the club’s shotgun range and making pancakes at the club’s Sunday breakfasts, to keeping the books straight as treasurer, a position he’s held since 2004.

That’s only scratching the surface. Raithel also holds a passion for fostering a love and respect of the outdoors in youth and has been putting in for grants to fund club programs engaging kids. He’s working to incorporate the operations of the Otsego Lake pike marsh into the curriculum of local school kids; and has applied with Otsego County Community Foundation for a grant to fund “Second Week of Deer Camp,” a program headed by Rex Clute which will teach 12 youth about camping, cooking, shooting and other deer camp skills during an October weekend on club grounds.

“The kids are our future. If we don’t get them involved now, we could lose everything,” he said. “If we instill sportsmanship into them now, we’ll all benefit later on.”

He’s also taken a few bumps and bruises along the way. A small scar on his left cheek shows where a spring-loaded throwing arm of a skeet trap struck his face, knocking out a tooth. He seems to shrug it off.

During his tenure as secretary, Raithel has watched budgets tighten up in tough economic times, but pushes the club to continue sponsoring events such as the annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby, the Family Hunting and Fishing Expo and others.

“Things have changed a lot (since 2004). It’s tough. But everything we do is for the community,” he said. “That’s just our nature. We’re committed to what we do, what we’re passionate about.”

His pride shows through.

His proudest achievements, he says, are his two boys, Jason and Jeff, who live downstate and are professionals in their work. He also takes pride in his vegetable garden, and his 41 acres where he spends the other 10 percent of his time. He simply enjoys being outside.

“Don’t give up on the outdoors,” he said. “Take advantage of it. It may not be there in the future, that’s why the club’s here, to make sure it stays.”

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