Category Archives: 2000 – 2009

JILL MILLER

Jill Miller was born in Birmingham England in 1951, moving to Collingwood in 1977. After joining the Blue Mountain Weightlifting Club in 1991, she started competing Internationally on the Canadian Masters Weightlifting Team in 1993. During this time, Jill organized and competed provincially at competitions taking home numerous – Ontario Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, as well as the Ontario Open Championship. Jill has won the Canadian Masters Weight Lifting Championships in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2003.

Every year, since 1993, she has competed International at events hosted in Austria, Australia, Canada, United States, Scotland and the Dominican Republic.

Jill competed for 15+ years through to the World Masters Weightlifting Championships and was honored as “Best Lifter” in her age group on a number of occasions which is determined by the use of a formula that equalizes both age and body weight. 

Record Lifts:

World Masters Games Record Holder
Pan American Record Holder
Commonwealth Record Holder
Canadian Record Holder

Weight-lifting accomplishments include:

Pan American Masters Champion – 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005
World Masters Championship – 2nd Place – 1999, 2000
Canadian National Masters Champion – 2001, 2002, 2003
World Masters Champion – 2003, 2004
World Masters Games – 2nd Place 2005

Jill’s passion for weightlifting is not focused entirely on competition as she has often assumed the required administrative tasks to ensure that the sport of weightlifting continues to flourish not only in Collingwood but provincially and nationally. Her various undertakings have brought Collingwood worldwide recognition.

In addition to weightlifting, Jill’s is a Level alpine ski instructor, Swimming Instructor, Lifeguard and Swimming Course Instructor.

1) Co-chair of World Master Weightlifting Championships – Collingwood 1996
2) Co-chair of Pan American Masters Weightlifting Championships – Collingwood 1999
3) Co-chair Canadian Weightlifting Championships – Collingwood 2001
4) Co-chair of annual Collingwood Open Weightlifting Championships Approx 8 times
5) Representative of Collingwood on the Provincial , National & International weightlifting scene
6) President of the Ontario Weightlifting Association
7) Member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Weightlifting Federation
8) Chairperson of a Coaching Association of Canada committee for the development of new coaching resources for Weightlifting Canadian Coaches
9) Master Learning Facilitator training coaches in Canada
10) Level 3 Nationally Certified Coach
11) Coach of the Blue Mountain Weightlifting Club – 50+ members
12) Developer of strength (Olympic style weightlifting ) training program for older adults

SUE PALMER KOMAR

Sue was born in Collingwood on Jan. 27, 1967, lived in Collingwood until 1992, and now resides in Hamilton with her husband Chris Komar. Sue received her education at Mountain View Public School and Collingwood Collegiate Institute. She later attended McMaster University and received her Bachelor of Physical Education in 1992 followed by a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Windsor in 1993.

A summary of her career is as follows:
Collingwood Collegiate Institute – Cross Country Running & Cross Country Skiing

Cycling

1988-1993 – National Development
1993-1998 – National Team (6 times at World Championships, 50+ Career wins, 20 Mountain Jerseys
1993 – Tour de France Feminine yellow jersey
1994-97 – Tour de L’Aude mountain jersey
1994-97 – Power Bar mountain jersey
1996 – Canadian Road Champion
1996 – Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, 10th place finish

This evening June 9, 2000 marks the induction of Sue Palmer Komar into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame in the Players’ category.

RON TIMPSON DR.

Whether it’s been for the elite or recreational athlete or the junior hockey player, local resident Dr. Ron Timpson has been a physician and supporter of sporting activities for almost 50 years.

“It really started back in 1968 at the Olympics in Mexico when we had 100 kids running for Canada come down with diarrhea,” said Dr. Timpson. “Diarrhea isn’t usually a major problem, but when you’re representing your country the next day, it’s a problem.” Dr. Timpson, a Sarnia native, helped form the Ontario Medical Association’s section for sports medicine with Drs. Alan Bass and James Melvin in response to the need of medically support for those athletes. He became president of the OMA’s sports medicine body in 1974 and oversaw the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine a year later, and was also a member of the five-person medical team who treated Canadian competitors at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. “Those were the first efforts at an organizational level of getting physicians who were involved with sports and had an interest in them together,” Dr. Timpson noted.

Junior hockey watchers in the area are no doubt aware of Dr. Timpson’s contributions to the sport at the grassroots level. He began his affiliation in hockey circles while training to be an MD in Edmonton with the Jr. ‘A’ Oil Kings and the WHA’s Flyers. He moved to Wawa, Ont. in 1962 and decided to help out with the Jr. ‘B’ team and the Northern Ontario league’s establishment. After moving to Collingwood, he would serve as the Collingwood Jr. ‘B’ Blues’ physician and consultant from 1969-81. With wife Ruth and three children, Dr. Timpson also farmed for several years in Duntroon. He became medical director of the Collingwood Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre in 1991.

LEN COOKE

A few years ago, the Ontario Hockey Association singled out the Collingwood Jr. ‘C’ Greenshirts as its Team of the Century for capturing four straight provincial titles in the early 1950s.

One of the leading scorers on that first championship team was Len Cooke, a skilled left-winger who was an all-around exceptional athlete during his elementary and high school days in Collingwood. In a span of five years, Cooke would play on four Ontario-champion hockey teams, beginning with the Brown’s Taxi juveniles in 1948-49, followed by the Greenshirts, followed by the Intermediate ‘A’ Shipbuilders during their celebrated run to glory. Then in 1952-53, an employment opportunity brought him to Simcoe, where Cooke helped the Gunners beat out Collingwood for the OHA crown. “What mattered most about those teams was that there were no individual stars and everyone did their part, right down to the executive,” Cooke said. “There are a lot of good memories and great people involved.” The native of Honora Bay, Ont., which is on the north shore of Manitoulin Island, also excelled in baseball and football in his youth.
He managed Beaver Lumber and Cashway Building Centres around the province until retiring four years ago. Cooke is a keen golfer with a five handicap who boasts club championship trophies from Blue Mountain, where he dueled often with fellow 2004 Hall of Fame inductee, Brian Jeffery, along with Port Dover and his current home course, Brantford Northridge. “I’ve lived in a lot of different places but I always consider Collingwood my hometown,” Cooke added. “Memories slip by but I’ll always remember what a great nucleus we had for those Jr. ‘C’ Greenshirt teams.”

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

JOHN WALLACE COOK

There was also the duty of serving in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1944-45. “In those days, scholarships were not worth that much and you had to work as well as pay a lot for the schooling, and there wasn’t enough to support that at home,” he said. Among his achievements were high school records in the 100-yard, 220-yard, 440-yard, 880-yard and mile races, along with the broad jump and shot put.

He also won several regional and military events thanks in part to the tutelage of local native and star athlete Charles “Bus” Portland. Cook was a keen volunteer and organizer who served as CCI student council president, and with the help of Marion Clarke and Blue Mountain Resort founder Jozo Weider, established the inaugural Collingwood Collegiate invitational alpine ski meet in 1947. He worked, then managed at Walker Stores outlets across Ontario and would settle in the hometown of his wife Mary, Carleton Place, where his family would own a store for 38 years until selling it in 1995.

During this time, Cook also served as a town councillor from 1960-64 and chaired a committee that oversaw business development for this Eastern Ontario region. He has three children, Richard, Mary Jane and Melinda. His granddaughter, Alex Cook, attends the famed Nick Bolleteri Tennis Academy in Florida, and grandson Brock Matheson plays for Brock University’s varsity hockey team after a successful run with the Tier II Jr. ‘A’ Kanata Stallions. “I can’t say my family hasn’t been holding up the athletic end of the bargain,” he quipped. “It’s been enjoyable to travel and see them perform.” In his later life, Cook still rides 10 miles a day on his bicycle, and is an avid skier and recreational badminton player. “It’s not a competitive thing. I just like to stay active and healthy!”

This evening, October 23, 2004, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Wallace ‘Wally’ Cook as an enshrined member for his Athletic achievements.

JIM GEORGAS

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.

 

KEN MILLER

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.

PETE STOUTENBURG

Ask anyone who saw him skate what kind of hockey talent Peter Stoutenburg had and their answer instead invariably ends with, “he was pretty good, but he was an even better person.”

“The legacy he left was that he was such a decent person that you couldn’t find anyone else who had more integrity,” said Don French, who grew up playing hockey, working with and being the best friend of Stoutenburg. “If someone needed a helping hand, Pete was the first one in the dressing room to stand up and spearhead the effort.”

He played Jr. “C” as an under-aged bantam and soon movedup to the Jr. “A” ranks with Kitchener, Niagara Falls and eventually in the Montreal Metro League in 1964. After two seasons with the New England Amateur Hockey League,  Stoutenburg studied and played hockey at the long-time NCAA Division One program at the University of New Hampshire. In his final year of college hockey, Stoutenburg had five goals and 20 assists in 31 games and set a record for UNH defenders with a goal and four assists in one contest.

The NHL’s Montreal Canadiens came calling and Pete attended training camp with them in 1970.  He was offered a spot on the Muskegon Michigan team in the old Colonial League, but opted to pursue a career in business.

After two seasons with the New England Amateur Hockey League, Stoutenburg studied and played hockey at the long-time NCAA Division One program at the University of New Hampshire. “He always said he wasn’t exactly the best goal scorer but when you saw him skate, you felt a lot more confident about how he played,” said wife Marsha, whom Pete met while at UNH.

Stoutenburg went on to become successful in the insurance industry and was posthumously honoured by Clarica at that company’s recent convention in San Antonio, Texas for his community work.

Hockey was always a passion, however, as he played senior hockey in Barrie and Galt and coached at the Minor, Jr. ‘B’ and University levels St. Catherines, where Marsha resides.

Old-timers’ hockey was a mainstay for Pete and he always returned to the Collingwood area a couple of times a year to play in tourneys with the Legion Vets. That core of players nearly won an all-Ontario title as bantams in 1960-61. Old-timers’ hockey was a mainstay for Pete and he always returned to the Collingwood area a couple of times a year to play in tourneys with the Legion Vets. That core of players nearly won an all-Ontario title as bantams in 1960-61.

Pete took up long-distance cycling with daughter Marlo. She has become a top-flight rower, unable to attend Pete’s induction into the Hall of Fame ceremony as she was in competition at the Boston Marathon of rowing competitions on the Charles River. “If Peter was around he’d say Marlo should go to Boston instead of going to something for him,” Marsha said.
Son Curtis played Jr. ‘B’ in Thorold and at Brock University and had his first child Aug. 27 with wife Vicky. Unfortunately, Stoutenburg is the lone deceased member of the class of 2004 to enter the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame.

Pete died of a heart attack in 2002 on a trip to his hometown of Collingwood, where he’d just purchased a condo.

JIM McALLISTER

A very talented athlete since 1958, JimMcAllister dominated area ball diamonds throughout his 20-year fastball career.

Recognized for his excellent control with his drop, rise and slow pitches, Jim was a catcher’s dream as he seldom refused a pitch signal and on the rare occasion the catcher could expect ‘heat’ on the following pitch. He knew what his job was when he stepped on the mound and made sure he did his best for himself and his team.

His reputation elevated him to local legend status with the community often referring to him as “Big Jim” or “Wendell”.

A great team player, Jim’s maintained his focus on the job he was asked to do on the mound with little concern of what was going on around him. He never showed frustration and just worked harder!

Although it was his pitching exploits that are often referenced, his batting abilities were characterized as heavy moon shots that often soared over the outfield
fences.  Throughout his career, he would close out his own game at the plate!

Upon review of his career, many of his personal statistics deserve recognition in League Ball comprising of 3 time – Most Valuable Player, 5 time –
Batting Title, 5 time – League Championships as he recorded 4 No-Hitters per season, 15 Strike outs per game while allowing only 3 hits per game.

Additional achievements included:

1963                  Pitched First No-Hitter in Collingwood Softball

1965-66           Blue Mountain Softball League Batting & Home Run Champion

1967                 Top Pitcher in Wins-Losses (210 Strike Outs)

1968               Blue Mountain Softball League Most Strike Outs

1969              Blue Mountain Softball League MVP

1970             New League Record of 300 Strikeouts in 20 games

Jim’s local Competitive Career:

Co-operators Insurance Fastball Team                               1958

Beaver Valley League Champions                                         1958

Collingwood Shipyard Fastball Team                                  1959

Browns Lumber Kings Fastball Team                                 1960-1965

Beaver Valley League Champions                                        1963 & 1965

Gurney’s Sports Fastball Team                                             1965-1966

Collingwood & District League Champions                       1966

Fisher Electric Fastball Team                                               1967

Elmvale Palace Hotel                                                             1967 – 1970

LOF Glass Fastball Team                                                      1968 – 1971

Blue Mountain League Champions                                   1970

Blue Mountain League All Star Team                              1970

Woods BA Senior Fast Ball Team Barrie                        1971-1972

George’s Furniture Senior Fastball Team – Angus       1972-1974

Clarkson Hotel Senior Fastball Team – Barrie              1976-1978