I just returned from the opening of the Tiger Jeet Singh Public School and to echo some of the comments from people in attendance… WOW!
Hundreds of people came out to support the Singh family in this unprecedented opening of a new school in Milton. Principal Rick Nodwell and the staff of the school were beaming with pride as the children chanted “TJS…TJS…TJS” showing pride in their school and their community.
Overhead a plane flew over the school as the children and people in attendance waved Canadian flags and cheered. Inside the packed auditorium people listened to the dignitaries from other countries who flew here today for this event. It was a highly emotional day for the Tiger family as a grin formed from ear to ear when it was announced the school mascot was “TIGER!”
The childrens choir got up to sing a very powerful song about being Canadian and they did a wonderful job as many in the crowd felt the emotion in their words. In another emotional moment, Tiger Ali Singh, former WWE Superstar got up to speak. He quickly broke into tears as he detailed the reasons why his father is a great man, and his personal hero. Chants of TIGER filled the room when he came up to the podium to speak and you could quickly see how this school has become very tight knit and proud of where they go. It was amazing to say the least.
Tiger Jeet Singh offered words of advice to the students before he finished. Stay in school, stay Tiger-fit and stay away from drugs! A great message from a great man.
Its a wonderful accomplishment for this highly decorated individual who has never forgotten his roots, both in India and here in Milton. Wherever he goes, whatever he does hes a Miltonian through and through. Congratulations Tiger! This is an honour well deserved by a wonderful man and a great family as well.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the open house of the brand new Tiger Jeet Singh Public School on Yates Drive. I was there on behalf of the Milton Community Policing Committee to hand out information to parents, teachers and students about community safety in the area. Click on the link if you would like more information on the committee and what we do in the community.
In front of a packed auditorium, Principal Rick Nodwell (formerly of Chris Hadfield Public School) announced the “team” as he called it of teachers that will shape the minds of young students at the new facility. Tiger Jeet Singh, his wife, Tiger Ali Singh (in crutches…get well soon!) and other members of the family were front and centre, beaming with pride as Rick made the introductions.
Similar to a rockstar, Tiger Jeet Singh made his entrance into the room followed by kids eager to say hello, shake his hand and ask him questions. He made sure he stayed around for every autograph, picture and high five. A reporter from Japan was actually flown in to cover this occasion, which goes to show the impact they have made internationally.
Its a great acomplishment for the family and they are very much a part of the school. Just recently they presented the Milton District Hospital a cheque for $35,000 raised at Tigerfest 2010 this past summer.
The official opening of the school will be on October 22nd and look to the sky that day for a special event (I dont want to give it away)
Congratulations once again to Tiger for this great honour and thank you for being a part of the Milton community.
With a new Milton, Ontario public school named after him opening this fall, Tiger Jeet Singh is out preaching his message: “Stay in school, say no to drugs, stay Tiger-fit.”
“That’s the three things I’m saying, I’m preaching all over. I can’t go everywhere, but the demand is so strong we are getting invitations to schools, temples,” the 65-year-old Singh said.
By now, the story Jagit Singh Hans, who came to Canada from India with nothing, became an internationally-famous wrestler, and then an important land developer and philanthropist in his adopted country is well known, thanks in part to a widely-aired documentary, Tiger!
To celebrate the school and other blessings, Singh is teaming with his son, former WWE star Tiger Ali Singh, and Squared Circle Training, to promote an all-day wrestling event, TigerFest 2010, as a part of the Downtown Milton Street Festival on Saturday, June 5th. The community’s top amateur high school grapplers will compete during the day, followed a free pro wrestling show at 5 p.m., featuring Sonjay Dutt, Robbie MacAllister of the Highlanders, Greg Valentine, and Steve Corino. Proceeds will go to the Milton District Hospital Foundation. (More info at www.tigerjeetsingh.com.)
Sidelined by concussion issues in 2001, Tiger Ali, 37, has only competed in a handful of bouts in Japan since. He will be strapping on the boots for a hometown crowd.
“We thought, you know what, we have that celebrity, let’s use it for drawing in the people from outside of Milton, from all southern Ontario,” said Tiger Ali Singh. “From what we’ve heard, we have people traveling in, flying in, because this will be the first time I think I’ve fought since the formerly-known SkyDome with WWE in the late ’90s.”
If it seems like the Singhs have come out of seclusion, that is because they have. Tiger Ali’s concussion, suffered in Puerto Rico while employed by WWE, was his third in nine months. It resulted in a long struggle back and a lot of resentment — and a lawsuit — against the wrestling company.
“Forget about wrestling, I was just trying to get my life back health-wise. It took about three years, and then when I finally did, during that three years, I was just mellowing in sorrow, getting depressed,” Tiger Ali admitted. “I was very, very fortunate to have a loving family, parents, great friends, support group, that during that time of healing health-wise, I also moved on with my life and went back into the family foundation of what business was, which was land development and real estate.
“By the time my health came around, I was so engrossed in it, that I really didn’t have any time to look at pro wrestling.”
At least in North America. The Singhs attempted to lead a tour of India, that fell apart at the last minute with all the wrestlers already in the country. Protecting the image of Tiger Jeet Singh was important once the backers of the tour bailed, said Tiger Ali. “In India, we couldn’t compromise. That’s why we took the bulls by the horn when some of the promoters left, and Dad held a press conference, we sat with all the proper authorities and we made sure, out of pocket, that we paid each and every talent guarantees, even though the promoters had left.
“Reputation is everything, what goes around comes around, we wanted to make sure if were coming back to do events again, that none of the talent would be apprehensive.”
In mid-May, the Singhs went to their first fan fest, in New Jersey and were overwhelmed.
“We weren’t expecting anybody to want our autographs. The reason? I never wrestled in the States, and Junior, he’d been out of the business for so many years. People forget. But it was unbelievable,” said Tiger Jeet. “The crowd was amazing, and the people, all the old memories, and especially my old, old buddies.”
One of those friends was Nikolai Volkoff. “He closed his booth. He was selling pictures,” recalled Tiger Jeet. “He came and gave me a big hug. ‘Tiger, tell me something, is that your second life? Shit, you look so young!’ Then I told him, ‘Human beings never get old. The only reason you get old is if you have some stress or problem. God is great, we are fine and we are happy.'”
Giving back has always been important to the Singhs, and TigerFest is their second fundraising effort alongside Troy Newton, who Tiger Ali met more than a decade ago through Owen Hart. Though they were all from Milton, they never kept in touch.
Reacquainted at the Milton Walk of Fame ceremony, where Tiger Jeet Singh and Tiger Ali Singh were honoured alongside other names such as “Mr. Dressup” Ernie Coombs, astronaut Chris Hadfield and NHL players and referees John Tonelli, Peter McDuffe, Enio Sclisizzi, Mike Kaszycki, Leon Stickle and Bruce Hood, Newton recruited the Singhs to help with his Christmas Toy Drive.
“That bug hit us at that time,” said Tiger Ali. “We’ve always been there, dad and I, whenever a charity called.”
Always well-dressed, often sporting massive watches and rings, Tiger Jeet is honest about his wealth.
“They ask, ‘How much your net worth?’ I say, ‘Enough,'” he said. “I’m living very simple. I like to do a lot of charity work, like helping children. And God is great, he give us his blessing, like I never expected in my life.”
As everyone knows who reads my blog, Saturday June 5th 2010 will be a huge day in Milton.
It will be the 4th annual Milton Street Fest and as with every year, this year looks to be the best lineup so far. Music bands as far as the eye can see will be in attendance Saturday at a number of different locations. These lineups can be found here. From rock to country to cover bands … whatever your taste there will be something there for everyone in the whole family. For more information on the full days events go to www.tigerjeetsingh.com
And speaking of family entertainment, the first annual TIGERFEST will be held in front of Troy’s Diner in an all day event. All the proceeds of Tigerfest will be going directly to the Milton District Hospital Foundation.
Later in the evening there will be live pro-wrestling matches which will include the following wrestlers.
The “King of Old School” and former NWA, AWA & ECW World Champion Steve Corino – Former TNA wrestlers Sonjay Dutt and Tyson Dux – Former WWE Superstar Robbie McAllister – Former WWE/F & NWA Legend Greg “The Hammer” Valentine – and finally internationally renowned … former WWE Superstar and Milton Walk of Fame member … our own TIGER ALI SINGH!
The “LIVING LEGEND” … an internationally known superstar … and Milton Walk of Fame Member TIGER JEET SINGH will also be in attendance!
According to Troy Newton of Troy’s Diner, the wrestlers will be available for autographs during intermission and after the show and they will stay as long as needed to ensure everyone who wants an autograph gets one. All wrestlers will be signing the event program for $5. They will also be selling TIGERFEST water, T-Shirts and lanyards during the day and ALL MONIES will be dontated to the MDHF.
King of Old School Former NWA World Champion Steve Corino
Former TNA wrestler "The Guru" Sonjay Dutt
Former TNA wrestler Tyson Dux
Former WWE Superstar and Highlander Robbie McAllister
Former NWA US Champion/Tag Team Champion, Former WWE/F Tag Team & Intercontinental Champion and WWE HALL OF FAMER Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
THE LIVING LEGEND & Milton Walk of Fame Inaugural Inductee TIGER JEET SINGH
Former WWE Superstar & Milton Walk of Fame Inaugral member MILTON ONTARIO'S OWN TIGER ALI SINGH
As the late great Billy Red Lyons would tell you… “Dontch dare miss it!”
Saturday June 5th 2010, Downtown Milton @ Troy’s Diner! All day at the street festival!
Saturday June 5th, 2010 will be the 4th annual Milton Street Festival. The current incarnation of this event started back in 2007 as the master committee of the Milton 150th Anniversary celebrations made this one of the pillar events of the year. The response has been overwhelming and the Town of Milton continues the tradition with another great event.
This year will be nothing less than amazing. Last year over 20,000 people came to Milton’s downtown core to take part in many events, games, and live music at all ends of Main Street.
Troy’s Diner proudly announces that it will be hosting the first ever Tigerfest this year.
It will be an all day long event starting at 12pm with Dynamo Wrestling demonstrations. From 1pm to 4pm watch Milton’s own EC Drury wrestling tournament showcase its skills. You will also see FIREPOWER Crossfit Fitness Demo and later on that evening, live pro wrestling will be the main event. Matches to be announced soon.
Just this past week the Halton District School Board chose from a number of different name options for Milton’s newest school (known before as Milton #4) and it seems to have caused some controversy. But the selection of the name couldn’t have gone to a better person.
The new school on Yates Drive that is due to open this coming fall, will be named Tiger Jeet Singh Public School.
This honour adds to the list of accomplishments this great Miltonian has earned over the years. Tiger Jeet Singh, along with his son Tiger Ali Singh, are world renowned for their success in the field of professional wrestling. You may remember Tiger Ali’s stint with the WWE (Formerly World Wrestling Federation) and since then he has moved on to more international success. The mere mention of their names in the squared circle brought their opponents to submission as they are fierce competitors in the ring.
But thats just the wrestling persona’s. Outside the ring, they are true ambassadors to the Town of Milton and do what they can to help both their home town and home country. The list of philanthropic activities of Tiger is head spinning. Here is a brief list (courtesy of local historian/author John Challinor)
• $200,000 donation to community of Sujapur, India (1990) (money used to build water and sewer infrastructure)
• $100,000+ donation committed to Milton District Hospital Foundation (2006)
• $35,000 raised through his leadership with Kopz4Kids (monies were shared between Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington and Halton Healthcare facilities in Georgetown, Milton and Oakville) (2008)
• $30,000 raised through his leadership with Troy’s Diner Toy Drive (2009) (toys went to local Salvation Army and Sick Childrens Hospital in Toronto )
• $25,000 donation to Milton Historical Society to publish local book of history, Milton Streets (2008)
• Annual pilgrimage to India to donate money, including the following:
o Five buses purchased for various Sikh temples in Punjab, India, so that poor had transportation to worship (2009)
o Land purchased for college campus in Ludhiana, Punjab, India, so students could study locally as most couldn’t afford transportation to study out-of-town (2009)
o Donated monies for clothing and other items to unspecified villages (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Raised money with professional wrestler Lord Athol Layton for Shriners Foundation (late 1970s)
• Raised money with professional wrestler Whipper Billy Watson to help expand Newmarket Hospital and raise visibility for plight of handicapped children (early 1970s)
• Anonymous large annual donor to numerous local charities (ongoing)
Humanitarian Activities:
• Non-governmental ambassador (trade) to United Nations with a mandate to reach out to South-East Asian countries (2000 – 2001)
• World-wide Economic Development Ambassador to Milton, Ontario (1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Drug, alcohol, education and physical fitness (Tiger-fit) awareness advocate in Canada, Japan, South-east Asia, addressing thousands of parents and students (1990s, 2000s)
• Chief Patron, Punjabi Sahit Sabha of Ontario (organization facilitates education, culture, societal value and general promotion of Sikhism) (since 1976)
• Recognized leader in Canadian South-East Asian community that members from across the country come to when in need of guidance and support (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Annual guest of honour at major South-East Asian community religious, community, athletic events (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Annual guest of honour at Canada Kabaddi Cup (typically alongside Prime Minister of Canada) (ongoing)
And as I said…that’s just SOME of what Tiger Jeet Singh is involved in.
Recently reported in the Toronto Star, there was a column that outlined some parts of a popular Internet forum called The Hawthorne Villager.
Not that this decision needs to be defended, but I’ll put in my 2 cents worth.I have absolutely no problem with the name chosen for the school. All of the contenders, so to speak, were highly qualified to have their name adorn the school walls.
Both Tiger Jeet and Tiger Ali Singh were named as inaugural members of Milton’s Walk of Fame…an honour highly deserved.
The Tigers (Hans family) have grown up in Milton over the course of many years. They were residents of this town long before many of us were called Miltonians. During this time, they have given back to our community. One of the Hans’ sons is a member of the Halton police force, serving and protecting our community. There were stories in the past of what they had to endure from “rabid wrestling fans” and others alike who made life for that family almost unbearable. Too many stories that this family is too proud to talk about. Lets just say life wasn’t made easy for them.
Yet they stuck it out.
Tiger Jeet Singh is a world renowned wrestler and a classy gentleman who doesnt hesitate to offer his help whenever its needed (Troys Diner and other charities) I remember during the Canada Day Celebrations of Milton’s 150th anniversary (where he along with his son were inducted into Milton’s Walk of Fame) talking with him and listening to his acceptance speech which was quite moving. More moving still was his son’s speech (Tiger Ali) and the pride that both of them felt for their home town. They felt the honour they received by being inducted to the Milton Walk of Fame was the highlights of their lives…and given the careers both individuals had, that’s saying something.
I had the privilage of being the soccer coach of their grandson and despite hectic schedules and travelling all over the world where they are still in demand, he made it to most of his grandsons soccer games.
Through all of this they call Milton their home and they burst with pride when they do so.
There are a number (way to many too count) of Miltonians who have lived here and currently live here that deserve the honour of having a school named after them and Tiger Jeet Singh IS one of those people.
***
As far as I’m concerned Tiger Jeet Singh is an excellent choice to name the school. He plans on taking part in the activities, as does fellow Milton Walk of Fame member Chris Hadfield of Hadfield Public School. The children who attend this school will be lucky to have another role model to look up to. And its doesnt just stop at Tiger Sr. His sons and the rest of the family also are involved in bettering our community. One of Tiger Sr.’s sons is a member of the Halton Police force, serving and protecting the community he grew up in. I had the privilege of coaching Anthony’s soccer team a few years back and with his experience, helped me be a better coach.
A great honour for a great champion! Congratulations Tiger! This is an honour which is well deserved. More importantly…THANK YOU!
You can also read more about the decision at Troy’s Diner Blog with even more details on what Tiger has done for Milton, and children everywhere.
By now, the story Jagit Singh Hans, who came to Canada from India with nothing, became an internationally-famous wrestler, and then an important land developer and philanthropist in his adopted country is well known, thanks in part to a widely-aired documentary, Tiger!
