Category Archives: Other

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

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
1970 - 1989, 2000 - 2009, All, Female, Other

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.

1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2010 - 2019, All, Male, Other

EARL WILSON

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With little fanfare, it was 20 years ago that Earl began his journey to become the
most recent inductee into the Canadian Arm-Wrestling Federation – Hall of Fame.

At the age of 16, Earl natural physique and strength directed his competitive
spirit towards this “Power” sports. In 1995, in his first major competition,
Earl received 2nd place in the left & right arm division with the 110 kg category. In the coming years, Earl continued to refine his tactics and strength conditional that resulted in his arrival as a World Champion in Finland – 2000. In fact, he became the first person to win 3 gold medals within a 24 hour period; Left arm (110 kg), Left Arm and Right Arm (Masters) to go along with a silver medal for Right Arm (110 kg).

In the next 9 years, Earl chalked up an unbelievable 11 Gold – World Championships
alongside 4 Silver & 2 Bronze medals. During this time, Earl travelled
across Europe, USA & Canada that quickly earned him the title as the man to
beat in the 100 & 110 kg division! Incredibly, Earl repeated his record
performance during the 2009 World Championships in Italy as he won another 3
gold medals within 24 hours. His reputation was cemented during the 2009 Event
as a record number of competitors – 1600 witnessed his conquests.

On our home turf, Earl has captured 11 Provincial & 28 Canadian
Arm-Wrestling titles to accompany 6 Silver & 2 Bronze finishes. Additionally, Earl set a Canadian Bench Press record at the time of 421.25 lbs – in competition. At home, Earl actively promotes his sport through his ongoing 17 year commitment to the Great Northern Exhibition – Arm-Wrestling event. As Chair, this event is free to all participants with all competitors taking home an award.

In 2010, Earl’s good fortune has returned with another run of 3’s: Inducted into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame and Canadian Arm-Wrestling Federation – Hall of Fame while in August, he was recently married.

1900 - 1929, All, Athlete, Builder, Golf, Male, Other

NORM RULE

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Norman Rule qualifies for Collingwood’s Sports Hall of Fame as a competitor and a builder.

This pioneer sportsman passed away in 1973 at the age of ninety-six, a member of Collingwood’s first hockey team organized eighty-nine years ago in 1894.

It was mainly through the organization ability of Mr. Rule that the first team came into being. He borrowed a pair of cricket pads and took over the goalkeeping duties behind such pioneer players as Ed Elworthy, Charlie Norris, a man who later became vice-president of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, Date Andrews, Reg Brown, later a wealthy business man in British Columbia, Fred Hopkins, who lost his life in Klondike Gold Rush in ’98, and Bill Toner, who had the honor of being elected Collingwood’s first hockey team captain.

Norman Rule could be classed as one of the town’s first all around athletes. He was a better than average ball player, an outstanding golfer and his name is on the Ontario Tankard Curling Trophy won by Collingwood in 1913.

His contribution to hockey alone rates him as a candidate for the Sports Hall of Fame but his real value came in the promotion and organization of sports in general. I have five individual trophies, all won by Norman Rule, stored at my home at the present time.

1900 - 1929, 1970 - 1979, All, Athlete, Hockey, Male, Other

BERT McLEOD

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Bert McLeod can qualify for Collingwood’s Sports Hall of Fame in several categories because he excelled in every game he ever tried.
As a student in the Collingwood Collegiate over seventy years ago, he won the junior, intermediate and senior athletic awards in senior athletic awards in successive years and played fullback on the C.C.I. first ruby-football team.
As a member of the Collingwood Y.M.C.A. he stared in basketball, volleyball, track and field, gymnastics, baseball and lacrosse.
Bert played on Collingwood Junior O.H.A. teams for several years and then became a key defenseman with the Collingwood Intermediate team that lost only four games in three years- winning the provincial title in 1918-19-20.
Bret moved on to Peterborough in 1921 where he led the Lift Lock City team to two O.H.A. Senior “A” championships.
He turned professional with Kansas City in the mid twenties and pioneered the game in the mid-west American city as a player and coach.
During his seven-year win three championships and was never out of the play-offs. After his long athletic career he operated a successful pharmacy in Peterborough.

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.

1900 - 1929, 1970 - 1979, All, Athlete, Male, Other

JOHN ROWE

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Jack (aka John) Rowe was not only one of Collingwood’s greatest and best known athletes, at the age of 90, he was still an important cog in this town’s sporting fraternity.

Born of a pioneer Collingwood family in 1885, he was on the active sports scene for
almost three quarters of a century. Apart from numerous team sports, he will be
remembered mostly for his success as a long distance runner. He once defeated
Billy Steel in a ten-mile race at Barrie and Steel represented Canada
in the 1908 Olympics.

Jack and two other outstanding Collingwood runners, Ancil Williamson and Hec Lamont, once ran an exhibition five-mile race against the legendary Tom Longboat, Canada’s greatest distance runner. The race took place sixty-five years ago right here
in Collingwood in the old Pine Street rink. We won’t go into the details, but the
Collingwood trio running as a relay team and with the assistance of a little skull duggery, defeated the peerless Indian runner.

Jack’s best game was lacrosse. We saw him play his last game against Alliston at the
age of forty-eight. To say he held his own that evening would be a bit of an
understatement. Collingwood won the game 5-4 and Mr. Rowe scored four goals,
including the winner.

For forty years he was a landmark on Collingwood ball diamonds as a player,
manager, umpire and as president of the softball league no fewer than six
times.

He played on Collingwood’s first basketball team, re-organized and served as
president of the Town Hockey League. Few people know of his boxing ability but
he has a gold medal to prove it. In 1917, Sergeant Jack Rowe, representing the
157 Battalion, won the Fourth Canadian Division Welterweight title. Ten years
ago, at a testimonial dinner, Bill Akos presented a new trophy to Blue Mountain
Softball League. It was named the Jack Rowe Trophy. Just a small tribute to a
man who played such a major part in Collingwood’s sporting history.

1930 - 1949, 1950 - 1969, 1980 - 1989, All, Athlete, Male, Other, Wrestling

LARRY SMITH

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Larry Smith’s qualifications for the Sports Hall of Fame can come under any of the following headings: Boxing, wrestling, softball, baseball, football, track and field, bowling and coaching.

A very astute business man, he has often been known as “Square Deal Larry”. His idea of a square deal is to trade you a pork chop for a pig and the pork chop would probably be a shoulder cut.

Larry did not come into athletic prominence until around the age of 16 due to the fact that he was an only son and was more than urged to lead a sheltered life. He played a pretty good football game with

Collingwood Collegiate under the coaching of the late Lou Stapleton, earned a letter in Track & Field and made quite an impression in the Coronation Meet at Owen Sound by winning the 100 and 220 yard sprint in a pair of great duels with Eddie Sergeant, the well-known former M.P.P. for Grey. He finished his secondary school education at Glebe Collegiate in Ottawa At Glebe, he took up boxing and wrestling and went to the finals in both these sports in the Ottawa Valley championships.
Incidentally, he lost out in the boxing final to the late Johnny Quilty of St. Patricks College. Quilty later became a hockey star with the Montreal Canadiens.

At the Aggie College in Guelph, he played football and made the college track and field team in the sprints and relay races. Along came WWII and Larry enlisted with the 541 st Parachute Regiment. He won the light heavyweight boxing title at Fort Bragg and found in several important military boxing tournaments at Camp MacKall, Fort Jackson, Camp Gordon and Fort Benning.

He was selected to represent Airborne Command in the All American Army Golden Gloves at Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1943. He won three bouts and lost in the final. During his active duty in Europe, he made sixty parachute jumps and took part in the bloody battle of Arnheim. While in the army of occupation in Germany and Austria, Larry took part in several wrestling bouts with Captain Vern Smith, former American Amateur Union and American Intercollegiate champion. He won points in the General Patton Third Army Track and Field Meet and ran the anchor leg on
the 506th Regiment Relay team in Munich.

After the war, Smith returned to Collingwood, where he pitched softball for the Collingwood Legion softball team. The Legion team won the Blue Mountain League title in 1949, the Legion District title and went to the Ontario final. In 1950, he played centre filed for the Collingwood Intermediate baseball team and won the Georgian Bay League batting championship. This team also went to the provincial final.

He took up 5-pin bowling after he settled down to business as  the owner and operator of the Collingwood Bowling Lanes and had a 250 average for 6 straight years. His best effort was a 256 average and a 975 triple in Senior play. He also won the Legion District Singles title at Newmarket.

Larry coached the Collingwood Collegiate Senior Football team in 1947, acted as wrestling and boxing instructor for the Collingwood Sea Cadet Corps and supervised a bowling school for Grade School children.

Collingwood fans got a chance to Larry in action when he challenged the Masked Marvel, who was then giving wrestling exhibitions with the Kings Brothers Circus. With the assistance of a thick coating of olive oil and the referee (long-time friend Don Jeffrey) Smith beat the Masked Marvel, much to the delight of the hometown fans.

2000 - 2009, 2010 - 2019, All, Male, Other

CHRIS STOUTENBURG

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Chris Stoutenburg’s was an all-around athlete that excelled in football, basketball, golf, track and field. During his senior year at CCI, many Canadian Universities scouted his football talents with Guelph ultimately being selected as Chris’s choice to wear their colours for the coming season.

In 1997, after sustaining a spinal cord injury, Chris refocused his athletic talent into the sport of wheelchair basketball where he has never looked back! A life-long Collingwood resident, Chris has become a collector of gold – gold medallions! Within 2 years, Chris became a member of the national team in 1999, Chris’s national team athletic career is represented by two Paralympic gold medals   (2000-Sydney & 2004-Athens) and one silver medal (2008 –Beijing; a world championship and Wheelchair Basketball Canada All Star (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008).
Today, a recent retiree from the national wheelchair basketball program, Chris has begun to focus his energies towards sledge hockey.Away from the world of athletics, Chris dedicates himself towards for the seamless integration of disabled persons into society. As a spokesperson on Accessibility and Paralympic Sport, Chris represents Canada Basketball, Sunnybrook “Life after Injury” and Breaking Down Barriers. Annually, he is the featured guest speaker at 20+ engagements annually.

In 2008, Chris’s services were called upon as he was the honorary chair of the 2008 Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships held in Collingwood. In his words, “never stop keep making people aware of disabilities but don’t hesitate to beat the odds yourself, make yourself important and build the muscles that still work and find another way.” Unquestionably, words that have driven Chris Stoutenburg to his incredible number of achievements in Paralympic sport. His international successes in Wheelchair Basketball have made Chris Stoutenburg a global ambassador for the Town of Collingwood.

1900 - 1929, 1970 - 1979, All, Male, Other

JACK STOUTENBURG

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Jack Stoutenburg makes the Sports Hall of Fame on a bicycle. He was the top bike
racer of his days in the Georgian Bay district and probably one of the best in Canada when bicycle racing was a major sport.

Would you believe that a crowd of 3,000 came to Collingwood to watch a five mile bike race just after the turn of the century? He became prominent as a bike race almost overnight when he won surprise victory over the famed McKee brothers, Art and Jack, of Barrie in a five-mile race at Meaford.

He accumulated a case full of trophies and medals from 1904 to 1912.

Although the five-mile events was his most specialty, Jack won one & two mile events but his most important one-miler was a victory at the C.N.E. track in Toronto in 1908. He almost missed that race when he took the wrong street car from the Union Station and ended up in Scarborough. Still lugging his racing bike he finally made it with the co-operation of two or three kindly street car conductors. He was on his mark a few seconds before starting time and did not have time to procure a starter- that’s the fellow who gives the rider a shove when the starting gun is fired and Jack had to mount from a dead start. This cost him several precious seconds and by that time the field had a fifty-yard lead. But he caught them on the third lap and he won the race
by the width of a bicycle tire They say it was the greatest mile bike race ever witnessed at the C.N.E. grounds but another sporting event got he headlines that day. It seems that on that same afternoon, Tommy Longboat, the peerless Canadian Indian runner, won a fifteen- mile foot race against the great Alfie Shrubb of England.

Jack Stoutenburg continued racing bikes until 1912. Not because he was physically
finished. He just ran out of competition. Jack passed away in his 90th year.