The Builders section of a Sports Hall of Fame is reserved for men and women who have contributed time, talent and leadership to the organization and
development of sports.
Generally, these dedicated men rarely hear the plaudits of the crowd; never see their names in headlines and most often are forgotten entirely.
Such a man was the late Lou Stapleton, the beloved former principal and physical education teacher at the Collingwood Collegiate. He is the one man who definitely had left his mark in the development of every phase of high school athletics in the Georgian Bay District. You of this generation, who never know Lou Stapleton, were deprived of the influence of this very special man.
He possessed the gift that enabled him to bring out the most and the best in every
athlete. His keen sense of sportsmanship and fair play left a lasting impression on every student fortunate enough to come under his guidance on a football field, a baseball diamond, the gymnasium or in track and field competition.
He drilled his junior and senior football teams in after school sessions that lasted until after dark and then he had them back at night for blackboard talks.
He was the man responsible for the formation of the Georgian Bay Secondary Schools
Athletic Association and he became its first president. When Stapes first came to Collingwood, football was only two bucks and a kick. But in less than two years he had his players away ahead of Barrie, Owen Sound, Midland and Orillia in the fine points
of the modern game.
His best football team was built around Jack Portland in 1929 and the squad won the
Ontario Secondary Schools championship. His track team brought national acclaim when he brought a small squad of ten jumpers and runners of the C.N.E. Intercollegiate title.
Lou Stapleton was a giant in the athletic field but he died all too soon. His untimely death took place in 1938 at the height of his brilliant career.
I am the oldest grandchild of Lou Stapleton. My mother was his youngest child. She was 12 when he died and her ever present love for him was passed on to us throughout our childhoods. My brother’s middle name is Lou. I, like my mother, have never been athletic. Our admiration for Lou was based on his life lessons, calm personality and tolerance of others. As a new Irish Catholic public High School Principal. Lou was not initially supported by the community in this role. However, his grace when discriminated against helped build his popularity. As late as the mid-nighties when I was visiting Collingwiod, some of his students, then in their 80s , still cried telling me how much they admired him. It was very humbling. My mother inherited his kindness and his tolerance. I am most grateful for that. We are Lou’s only 3 grandchildren. His spirit was honoured in our home by his adoring daughter. I have tried to pass on my mother’s stories to my nieces and nephew. She died when they were young so her stories did not get their full due. I hope I can do the same with my great nephews and niece. Hopefully they will be inspired. I want Lou’s radiance to live on as a promoter of community sports and as a lovely family man.
Good Morning Debra:
Thank you for sending your note. In my role, I amn fortunate to learn the story “behind the name” of the many great athletes from our community. As noted, your pride in “Lou” is justified. Debra, thank you for your note.
Cheers – Mark Rich (Chairman)