Category Archives: 1990 – 1999

1950 - 1969, 1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2000 - 2009, All, Athlete, Male

JIM GEORGAS

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Jimmie is an ageless sports legend, a lifelong advocate for physical fitness and not surprisingly, a tenacious, fearless, no-quit competitor.

His athletic talents spans numerous decades as he dominated the sports of skiing, cycling, duo-athlete and runner.  He has won 200+ duathalons including 10+ world & 14 national and provincial masters duathalon championships.

Jimmie has won an astonishing 209 out of 257 masters cycling events that feature hill climbs, time trials, criteriums and road races. As a runner, he participated in 39races ranging from 5-10 kms. taking home 30 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze medals.

In addition to his membership in the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame, Jim’s accomplishments are honoured in the Owen Sound and Ontario Ski Pro Hall of Fame.

 

1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2000 - 2009, All, Male, Other

KEN MILLER

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Ken Miller was born in Sarnia, Ontario in 1947 where he began his
weightlifting career. In his hometown, he was a member of the Turcotte Athletic
Club from 1970-1977.A career business decision brought him to the Collingwood
area in 1977 resulting in Ken founding the Blue Mountain Weightlifting Club.

Over his career, he has competed at Local, Provincial, National and International
Levels since 1970 – winning numerous local, Gold, Silver & Bronze
medals.  Ken has held the title of the
Ontario Open Champion – multiple times alongside scores of Gold, Silver and
Bronze medals.

A member of the Ontario Weightlifting Team since 1970, Ken has earned a Bronze
Medal at the Canadian National Championship. In his early competitive years,
Ken reached the National standards to compete at the National Championships.
Incredibly, Ken has been a 6-time Gold Medalist 6 times at the Canadian Masters
Championship (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, & 2000).

On the International Scene, Ken has participated in events around the globe as a member of the Canadian Masters Weightlifting Team from 1990 through today.  His medalist accomplishments include:

Pan American Masters Championships – Gold, Silver, Bronze medalist (Competitors
from North & South America and Caribbean Islands) – about 7 competitions

World Masters Games –BrisbaneAustralia – Silver Medal

World Masters Championships – Bronze Medalist – representing Canada against competitors from all over the world.

Ken has set or still holds Ontario, Canadian, Pan American and British Commonwealth Masters records.

Understandably, there are few “honours “available after this list of incredible achievements. However, the the Ontario Weightlifting Association recently recognized his 25 continuous years within the sport. He has competed, coached and administrated in the sport of weightlifting for 35+ years.

He has also participated in baseball, fastball, slo-pitch, golf and hockey.

Ken has continued to follow his own competitive path as an athlete and also acted
as an ambassador for the sport of weightlifting in the community and also for
Collingwood in the International weightlifting arena.  Ken has been an inspiration, coach and mentor to many younger athletes over the years.

Some of the more prominent ones would include:

1)  Former President & Treasurer – Ontario Weightlifting Association

2)  Former Chairman of Canadian Master Weightlifting Association

3)  Level 1 coach – Coach with Blue Mountain Weightlifting Club (25 years)

4)  Chairman – Canadian Master Weightlifting Championships – Collingwood 1993

5)  Co-chair of World Master Weightlifting Championships – Collingwood 1996

6)  Co-chair of Pan American Masters Weightlifting Championships – Collingwood 1999

7) Co–chair Canadian Weightlifting Championships- Collingwood 2001

8) Representative for Canada at World Masters Congress

9) Co-chair of annual Collingwood Open Weightlifting Championships- 8+ times

10)  Representative of Collingwood on the Provincial, National and International weightlifting scene

The Town of Collingwood could not have a better ambassador for the community and sport.  Ken has always demonstrated a desire for sportsmanship, a trait that he willingly imparts to fellow competitors during competition.  Ken is truly recognized as a gentleman within the weightlifting community, and eager and focused competitor
but one that always ensures the experience is a joyous one for him and his fellow competitors.

This evening, April 21, 2007, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Ken Miller as an enshrined member for his Athletic achievements.

1930 - 1949, 1950 - 1969, 1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 1990 - 1999, All, Golf, Male

CHARLES REEVES CONNOLLY

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Charles successful golf career spanned 5 decades from the 1930’s through the 1980’s.

As a champion track, football, rugby, basketball, curling and hockey player while attending Collingwood Collegiate, he was awarded the Senior Athlete Award in 1940. On the course, he won seven club championships + 20 tournament victories throughout his 50 year golf career. He finished 2nd in the Ontario Senior Championships in 4 consecutive years between 1964-67. In 1973, he won the International Senior’s Golf Society event at Gleneagles, Scotland.

In 1984 and 1985, Charles won the Canadian Senior Golf Tournament for golfers 70-74 years.

Connolly joined the Canadian Air Force before working with Ontario Hydro and the Credit Union bank.

Throughout his golfing travels, Charles recorded 3 holes in one!

1950 - 1969, 1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 1990 - 1999, All, Golf, Hockey, Male

DON COOK

Don Cook has enjoyed success on both the golf course and hockey arena.  At the time of Induction, Cook has played in eight (8) Ontario Amateur Golf Championships and four (4) Canadian amateur tournaments over the years, and qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Rochester, New York’s Oak Hill course in 1994.

Along the way, Cook has won over 25 club championships across Ontario and holds several local course records including his home course – Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club.

During his hockey career, Cook helped the Collingwood Juvenile Cubs win an Ontario title as a defenseman in 1955-56 and went on to play several games for the Jr. “’A” Guelph Biltmores under coach Eddie Bush in 1957.

He went on to captain the Waterloo Jr. ‘B’ Siskins for three seasons (1958, ’59 & ’60) and then played pro in Holland for a couple of years.

Don Cook was inducted into The Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame in May 1996.

In Dec 2022, Don Cook passed away suddenly in Collingwood leaving behind many friends.

1990 - 1999, 1990 - 1999, All, Golf, Male

DON HEWSON

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The Collingwood Collegiate grad moved out of the Collingwood area in his late teens to attend the University of Toronto where he secured a degree in Mechanical Engineering. A resident of Stouffville, Don his wife Sandra havre raised seven children.

Hewson is the President and major shareholder in a Toronto-based engineering firm, and despite his professional and family commitments through the years, has been able to keep his golf game more than up to snuff.

In 1991, he captured the Canadian Seniors’ Golf Association Tournament with a two-round total of 150 at the York Downs Golf Club. He has had a couple of other notable performances, including a first-place in the Ontario Seniors Better-Ball event and a berth in the 1992 U.S. Senior Amateur event a the Oak Hill course at Rochester, N.Y.

In his younger years, Hewson won several club championships including four in Collingwood, three for Simcoe County and other at York Downs, St. George’s and Scarborough.

He also won a few Collingwood Shipbuilders’ Suppliers Tournament in Wasaga Beach, and Collingwood’s John Richards, often a playing partner of Hewson’s said that if Don didn’t win that tournament, his twin brother often did.

Hewson was active in other sports, and played on two Collingwood hardball clubs that made it to the provincial finals.  He was also a member of Central Ontario high
school championship teams in both volleyball and basketball during his stay at
CCI.

Don Hewson was inducted into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.

1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2000 - 2009, 2010 - 2019, All, Golf, Male

BRIAN JEFFERY

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Considering all of the accomplishments in the golfing career of local resident Brian
Jeffery, one figure stands out when all of the numbers are compiled. Twenty-Eight (28)
holes-in-one! He’s done it at the famed Turnberry links in Scotland, twice
within two weeks earlier this year while wintering in Florida, and several
times on his home Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club. “There has to be
some skill involved, but largely it’s a lucky shot,” said the 60-year-old
Jeffery, who placed 12th at the 2004 Canadian senior amateur championships in North Bay, prior to his Induction.

Some luck and a lot of practice has helped Jeffery become the top-ranked senior amateur player (55 yrs. & up) in Ontario. He was introduced to the sport at the age of two by his grandfather, Bill Thompson, at the old Collingwood Golf Club. As a teen, he won several area tournaments and captured the Simcoe County Invitational four years running (1964-67). His father Don managed the Collingwood arena for 25 years and is in the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame for his years of hockey at the OHA Junior and Senior levels.

At just 140 pounds, Brian played junior hockey but preferred sticks of the iron variety. Jeffery would go on to work 30 years and one day at Bell Canada before retiring and getting into the senior golf ranks. Among his golfing achievements, was runner-up at the 1999 Canadian Senior Match Play Championships, 3x Ontario senior amateur title (2002, 2005 & 2008) and taking the National Senior Association title in 2003. Locally, he has claimed the Scenic Caves Invitational and Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club titles seven times each.

Jeffery credits long-time playing partner Don Cook for pushing him to be a sharper player and competitor.  “I tend to get ahead of myself sometimes,” joked Jeffery. “Just because you can see the clubhouse, it doesn’t mean you’ve won anything yet. I remember I was leading a tournament in Midland by five strokes with five holes to play and then made a 10 on one hole. Sure I lost that tournament, but I learned a lot from the experience and it helped me later.”

This evening, October 23, 2004, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Brian Jeffery as an enshrined member for his Athletic achievements.

1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2000 - 2009, All, Hockey, Male

KEVIN COLLEY

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Kevin Colley began his hockey career in the Collingwood Minor Hockey Association playing from Novice through to Midget upon his arrival from his birthplace – New Haven, Connecticut.
As the celebrated sniper, Kevin’s Atom Hockey Club – Pepi’s – won the International Silver Stick Tournament.   During this high profile tourney, Colley collected 22 points with 11 goals & 11 assists.

As a member of the Collingwood Bantam Rep. Legionnaires, he was a key  ingredient as they captured the Ontario Minor Hockey Association
“BB” championship.

In 1997 , Kevin participated in the most prestigious major junior hockey tournament in this country  – Memorial Cup Tournament  – during his active playing career with the Oshawa Generals  from 1996- 99.  Following his Junior career, Kevin played for
the Hartford Wolf Pack in the ECHL between 1999 -2000; graduating to the AHL for the 2001-2005 seasons.

Kevin’s enthusiastic play resulted in his call to the NHL’s New York Islanders in
2005. Again, it was Kevin’s playing style saw his playing time increase with the Islanders until a career-ending   injury halted Kevin’s promising hockey playing career.   

Oshawa Highlights

1996  Oshawa’s 3rd Round pick (43 overall) in the OHL

1997  Memorial Cup vs. Lethbridge

Plays for TeamUSA at World Juniors in Finland

1998 Scores winning goal – OHL All Star game in North Bay

1998-1999  Leads Oshawa Generals in regular season scoring

OHL All Star game in Sarnia & receives Most Outstanding Player
for Oshawa

Nominated for the OHL Red Tilson Award (Outstanding play                   & Gentlemanly conduct)

Professional Hockey Career Highlights and Awards

2002- 2003      ECHL All Star Game in Estero, Florida (2 Assists)

2002-2003       Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies win Kelly Cup in ECHL. Playoff MVP

2003-2004       AHL Bridgeport – Sound Tigers Fan Favourite

2004-2005-      AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers “Godsy Award” (Favourite Enforcer)

Jan 2005          AHL Bridgeport Sound Tiger Captain

Oct 27, 2005   First NHL game for NY Islanders vs. NY Rangers at Madison Square Gardens.

Captain Courageous Award (Annual award named in his honour)

2005-2006    New York Islanders – Received Bob Nystrom Award for Leadership, Hustle & Dedication

Feb 24, 2006   Announces his hockey retirement after breaking his neck in a headfirst crash into the boards on January 31, 2006.

September 2008 Named head coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, a minor league affiliate of the New York Islanders.

Kevin’s rise to become a NHL player was the result of his endless pursuit to become an on-ice presence during every shift. The entire community cheered his arrival to the
“Show” in 2005 and shared the disappointment of his career ending injury. Kevin’s hockey story will teach our future hockey generations that every dream can be achieved through hard work and tireless commitment.

1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 2010 - 2019, All, Hockey, Male

TOM COLLEY

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The Collingwood Shipbuilder’s began their climb towards ‘Senior A’ supremacy with the arrival of Tom Colley for the 1981-82 season.

At the age of 8, Tom’s tasted his first of 6 consecutive league championships in AAA
in the Toronto M.T.H.L. During each season, Tom’s reputation as a goal scorer
grew as he tallied 55 to 92 goals per season.  TC’s goal scoring continued throughout a two year stint with the Weston Dodgers in Jr. B followed by another two years of 20+ goals in the OHA playing for the Niagara Falls Flyers and Sudbury Wolves.

Eventually, Tom Colley was the fourth choice of the Minnesota North Stars in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft and turned pro in 1973 with the New Haven Nighthawks, where he would spend the next seven years. Colley played one NHL game in 1974.  During his illustrious AHL career he earned the nickname as Mr. Nighthawk as he routinely potted 30+ goals while wearing the “C” from 1977 through 1980. This consistency was recognized in 1998 when he was honoured by New Haven as one of the city’s greatest hockey players.

In 1981, Collingwood welcomed its first legitimate goal-scorer in many years. Immediately, goaltenders across the Georgian Bay loop felt the warmth of the ‘red’ light behind them as Tom averaged 1.5 points per game for the next 5 seasons. He led the league in scoring during the 1982-83 while the Shipbuilder won the Major Int. “A” Champions coming in second place in the province behind Timmons.

In 1985-86, upon the completion of the Shipbuilder season, Tom was signed by the
Dundas Real Coys to compete in the Hardy Cup. Not surprisingly, Tom provided
some clutch short-handed and power-play goals as the Real Coys acquire the Hardy Cup. Like most champions, Tom ended in competitive hockey career going out in style by winning the OHA Senior “A” title 4-games-to-2 against the Dunnville Mudcats of the Southern Ontario league.

Fortunately, Tom Colley stayed in the Collingwood area upon his retirement as choose to share his talents as a Collingwood Minor Hockey coach progressing to the
coaching staff of the Collingwood Blues – Ontario Tier 2 Provincial Jr. ‘A’ , serving as an assistant in two separate stints with the club. Consistent with his playing career, Tom coached his teams to multiple Silver Stick Championships and league titles. Not
surprisingly, his induction supported by many heartfelt testimonials from his
coaching career.

Away from the rink, Tom’s baseball prowess resulted in an invitation to the 1970
Pittsburgh Pirates training camp. Following his hockey career, Tom was a valued
member of the Provincial Champion – Collingwood John’s Car Wash Slo-Pitch team
that represented Ontario in the 1989 & 1993 Slo-Pitch Nationals.

Alongside his son Kevin Colley, Tom Colley’s induction marks the fourth time a parent-child has been represented in the Collingwood Sport Halls of Fame.

1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2000 - 2009, All, Builder, Harness Racing, Male

JOHN BURNS

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His father and grandfather earned a spot in the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame for their efforts on the hockey rink.

John Burns has earned the same honour for his prowess in a different sport,
Harness Racing John was born in Collingwood January 27, 1949, leaving
Collingwood in 1970. He has two sons John Derek and Rodney Willis. He was
educated at Victoria Public School and Collingwood Collegiate. He has been in
Harness Racing since 1967, throughout Canada & United States.

A four time Ontario Jockey Club trainer-of-the-year-award recipient, John has received a half-dozen O’Brien awards for his horses. He purchased and owned two world champions in Towners Image and Hardie Hanover, adding to the lengthy list of his major stakes’ champions, selling both of them in one afternoon for a combined $780,000.00 U.S.

Among John’s ownership partners today are former Montreal Canadians’ enforcer John Ferguson and the Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitcher Dan Plesac, who played last season with the Toronto Blue Jays. Presently John has a stable of 26 horses that race at Mohawk and Woodbine Raceway. John also played hockey in the Collingwood Minor Hockey system from 1956 to 1967.

This evening June 9, 2000 marks the induction of John Burns into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame in the Builders’ category.