Category Archives: 2010 – 2019

1950 - 1969, 1970 - 1989, 2010 - 2019, Builder, Male

John Stephenson

2016-john-stephensonJohn Stephenson was a familiar sight behind the players’ bench and on the ice during the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s, at the regal Eddie Bush Memorial Arena on Hurontario Street.

For twenty-six winter seasons, Stephenson coached the fundamentals of hockey to Collingwood’s youngest players. Thousands of hours of dedication and commitment to his teams and the Collingwood Minor Hockey Association were recognized with a 1986 Special Award of Merit, presented in recognition of his generous donation of time and knowledge and promoting minor hockey for the benefit of kids from Collingwood and surrounding area.

Stephenson’s hockey coaching career started in 1960 with a Collingwood local league team. He remained as head coach of local league teams before starting in the ‘rep’ loop in 1967. He remained in rep hockey until 1986. His teams earned international, provincial, regional, and league championships.

The 1972-73 McKean and MacLean Major Novice ‘A’s were a powerhouse team with a stellar list of accomplishments and tournament victories. The Novices were North American and Regional Silver Stick Champions, and won the league title, the Peterborough Invitational, Regional Little NHL, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association championship, and the Georgian Bays. They were also provincial Little NHL finalists.

Stephenson was a Level 2-certified coach through the auspices of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association’s National Program. He was a key organizer and founder of Collingwood Minor Hockey’s annual Huronia Tournament parade of teams.

During summer months, Stephenson hit the baseball diamond as a Collingwood Baseball manager and Collingwood Slo-Pitch player and manager. He was the 1992 Legionnaire of the Year, receiving the John MacPherson Memorial Award and has worked 30 years at the Collingwood Legion, where he is a Life Member.

On October 22, 2016, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomed John Stephenson as an enshrined member of Collingwood’s sporting history.

1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2010 - 2019, 2010 - 2019, Builder, Male

Peter Kemp

2016-peter-kempPeter Kemp’s ‘field of dreams’ was built in the 1970s with the formation of the upstart Georgian Bay and District Slo Pitch League, one of the province’s oldest and most established slo-pitch organizations. Along with Collingwood Sports Hall of Famer Ron Ralph, he helped construct the foundation for slo pitch in the community and served as an early and dedicated president of the league.

The 72-year-old Toronto-born dentist planted roots in Collingwood during the 1960s and since then has influenced multiple sports –- in addition to slo pitch –- including golf, hockey, and curling as a competitor, leader, and key organizer. He competed provincially and won Ontario Slo Pitch crowns several times as a member of Canadian Mist and Christie’s squads. He competed in the Ontario Winter Games on four occasions. Locally, ‘Kemper’ was active in the popular Summerfest tournaments held each year to celebrate the sport of slo pitch.

An avid golfer, Kemp was President of the Blue Mountain Golf and Country Club in 1974 and during the late ‘70s was deeply involved in the organization’s Junior Development Program. He captained the Blue Mountain Golf and Country Club’s Senior Men’s Division for seven years.

During cold Georgian Bay winters on the ice indoors, Kemp’s other sports loves were hockey and curling. As a lifelong hockey player, he was a central figure in the development of old timers hockey in Collingwood and organized at least 10 Beaver Lumber Tournaments.

Kemp was an active member of the Collingwood Curling Club, instructing Juniors, as well as new and existing adult curlers.

1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2010 - 2019, 2010 - 2019, Builder, Male

Larry Sinclair

The incredible growth and overall athlete success of Nordic skiing in the Collingwood region inevitably can be traced to the involvement of the Sinclair family in Duntroon.

On Saturday, October 25, 2014, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame proudly welcomed Larry Sinclair – Builder to join his father Jim, as an enshrined member.

As a young man, Larry competed on the provincial and national level and parlayed his experience and success into a highly respected coach and mentor to young skiers.

During the 1980’s, Larry coached the Cdn. Junior team travelling to Finland, Russia and Bulgaria for international compeititions. He was also a support coach at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

Larry brought this experience home and alongside his father – Jim Sinclair – founded the Highlands Trailblazers Cross Country Ski Club. A club that has trained hundreds of youths including a 2x Olympian – Brittany Webster.2014 - Larry Sinclair

As owner of the Nordic Cross Country Ski Centre, the facility has hosted Provincial Ontario Cup races, OFSSA Nordic championships & a National Championships (2003 and 2009).

Larry’s love of the winter outdoors is infectious to the ever growing number of athletes coming to Highlands Nordic. Larry is universally respected across the sport and community.

Sadly, Larry Sinclair died on January 25, 2015 following a lengthy battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Pat Elson, and daughters Kelly and Megan.

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

Paul Shaw

Paul Shaw was introduced to trap shooting during a conversation in 1981 while goose hunting with friends.  Paul quickly established himself as a force within the sport through pure instinct built from his early years, raised on a farm near Ravenna, when rabbit hunting was considered  recreation. 2014 - Paul Shaw

In 1984, he got involved in Olympic style trapshooting.  For the past 30 years, his accomplishments in provincial, national and international competition are staggering.  He has won every championship event at the Ontario Championships incl. singles, handicap, doubles, High- All Around and High Overall.  Paul is a 4x Canadian Champion in Double Trap.

During his career, he has represented Canada as an athlete at the  1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, 4x Pam American Games and 2010 & 2014  Commonwealth Games in both Trap and Double Trap.

In 2014, Paul Shaw is ranked #1 in International Double Trap and #3 in Olympic Trap and involved with the organization of shooting events for the 2015 Pan American games in Toronto.

His trapshooting talents have been recognized in his induction in to the Ontario Provincial Trap Shooting Hall of Fame in 2007.

On Saturday, October 25, 2014,  the Collingwood Sports Hall Fame introduced Paul Shaw as one of its newest members.

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

Jay Morrill

Jay was introduced to cross country running as an elementary student at Cameron Street Public. Very soon thereafter he began to dominate races with students 4 years his senior.

It was during his high school years at Collingwood Collegiate Institute (CCI) between 2000-2004 that Jay simply dominated the cross country running scene. He was a perfect 20/20 winning every Simcoe County League race and winning 9 GBSSA championships in both cross country and track & field. He was won two OFSAA titles in 2001 & 2002 and further elevated in stature as a 2x National Team Champion ( Canadian Cross Country Running Championships – 2001 and 2002.

His high school success led to an athletic scholarship with Georgian State University where he served as captain – a testament to his commitment to training and leadership skills.

On Saturday, October 25, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Jay Morrill, joining his father Bobby Morrill and great uncle Allan Morrill, as an enshrined member of the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame.

1950 - 1969, 1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 2010 - 2019, All, Builder, Male

Dave Chandler

On the ice, Dave Chandler has seen it all throughout his career having officiated 5000+ hockey games during his 37 year career.2014 - Dave Chandler

His career started as a 15 year old a the Ted Reeve Arena in Toronto. Dave moved to Collingwood to teach at Collingwood Collegiate Institute in the late 60’s at which time he became a fixture across the region.  In 1972, Dave was invited to the first World Hockey Association (WHA) officials camp.

During his career, he was invited to referee at International Silver Stick Tournaments, Quebec International PeeWee Tournament (1973) and officiated 11 International OMHA games featuring teams from Finland, Norway and Sweden. Dave instructed at the National Canadian Hockey Association referee certification program for 6 years.

His talents allowed for him to become the OMHA Supervisor of officials from 1983-1986.

The greatest compliment to Dave is obvious by the sheer number of referees that reference Dave’s valued mentorship in their early careers.

On Saturday, October 25, Dave Chandler was welcomed as an enshrined member of the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame.

 

1950 - 1969, 1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2010 - 2019, 2010 - 2019, All, Golf, Male

MIKE JACKSON

In his competitive golfing career, Mike has atop the leader board for more than 50 golf championships spanning the local, provincial, national and international landscape. Mike has played in national events in all ten Canadian provinces at least once.

Jackson is currently ranked in the upper tier out of more than 700 senior golfers by Golf Week Magazine in the United States.  And as recently as May 2012, he won the Ontario Senior Men’s “Champion of Champions” title by two strokes in Peterborough.

His athletic roots run deep in Collingwood.  He is the son of Ken “Jeep”’ Jackson, a member of the Sports Hall of Fame.  Michael, who played local Junior hockey as a right-winger, tried out for the Guelph CMC’s in 1972. In 1973, he attended the training camp for the Toronto Maple Leafs arranged through local scout Donald ‘Nip’ Spooner.  Mike also played a couple of years of Senior “B” Hockey for the Durham Husky’s winning a provincial championship.

An excellent right-handed golfer as a youth, Jackson was Ontario Best Ball Champion with Hugh Fraser in 1976.  As an amateur, he competed numerous times at the provincial level.  He took part in the 1985 British Amateur at Royal Dornoch in Scotland and was 27th out of 288 golfers before match play.  His medal score was ahead of such greats as Duffy Waldorf, Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie.  He was the 2003 mid-amateur provincial champion (played at Mad River in Stayner) and won the 2010 Ontario Senior Men’s Amateur crown at the Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor.

Locally, Jackson has been the Blue Mountain Golf and Country Club champion an unprecedented 15 times, the club’s Senior champ twice and captured the Scenic Caves Invitational on seven occasions.  As a six-time champion with the Midland Golf and Country Club, he holds the course record of 63, shot in the final round of the club championship in 1979.  He’s a four-time winner of both the Georgian Bay Club championship and Senior Club championship, along with being Match Play champion for three years.

Jackson, a committed community citizen, owns the GM dealership in Collingwood.  A recipient of Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award, he has been the E-3 Community Living golf tournament chair for many years.  He was a board member for the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame committee from 1988 to 2002.  Jackson has been on the board of the Canadian Auto Institute (CAI) at Georgian College for several years, and was its chairman of the board from 2005 to 2007.

Jackson is appreciative of the support of his family – wife Doreen, son Ryan and daughter Courtney – which has allowed him to venture far and wide in his chosen sport.  He credits fellow Sports Hall of Famers Don Cook and Brian Jeffery for giving him the inspiration to compete in golf.

On October 20, 2012, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomed Mike Jackson as an enshrined ‘Athlete’ from our sporting community.

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

BRIAN FRENCH

Respected and competitive golf professional Brian French has been a member of Team Ontario five times in Titleist Cup match-play action. His team won the 2010 event played at the Royal Quebec Golf Club in Boischatel. ‘Frenchie’ holds course records locally at Cranberry Resort (66), Mad River (68) and Monterra (66). Among his many achievements was being the leading money winner in the 1989 Ontario Assistants’ Order of Merit.

The winner of more than 10 Ontario professional golf tournaments, French shot a 68 at Deerhurst and a 64 at Tor Hill Golf Club in Regina; both course records. He captured two consecutive championships in the Pro-Am event at the National Golf Club in Woodbridge. He also won the Head Professional T.P.D. Fall Classic at the Barrie Golf and Country Club. In 1986, French won the Saskatchewan Open and was a three-time member of the Willingdon Cup. As part of the Willingdon Cup, he was among the top four amateur golfers in Saskatchewan.

French has shot one double-eagle — on hole #14 at Cranberry — and collected 11 aces in his strong golfing career.

French has been the head golf professional at Mad River Golf Club in Creemore since 1994 and is in his 25th year as an accomplished golf instructor. He was also head pro at Cranberry. He continues to be an avid supporter of developing and promoting popular junior golf programs. Along with being a prolific squash player, he was a class ‘A’ squash referee and a member of the Saskatchewan Squash Association.

While attending Collingwood Collegiate Institute, French was part of the badminton team and continued playing the sport at university. The CCI golf team one year featured French, his brother Tim, and the Jacksons, Mike and Paul.

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

BRIAN BAILEY

Brian Bailey is the wind beneath the wings of the Collingwood Sailing School, which has been recognized by the Canadian Yachting Association and teaches the ropes to
more than 100 youth and adults each year. A Collingwood Yacht Club member since
1973, the Manchester, U.K.-born Bailey raced DEIMOS, an Express 30, for 29
years. The long-time sailor has been the club’s Keel Boat Champion three times. He has been commodore of the local yacht club as well as a member of its board of directors for more than 20 years. In Toronto, he was part of a successful racing crew on a custom C & C 34 which won the Royal Canadian Yacht Club’s;Champion of Champions.

Bailey was the catalyst in the history of the successful Collingwood Sailing School. He
channeled his energy, knowledge and pride into a unique educational opportunity
for budding sailors in the region. Bailey’s early involvement in the sailing school resulted when his son, Kyle, was hired by the former Watts Skiff Sailing School in 2001 as its sole instructor. The following season, he became the volunteer course director helping to drive increased enrolment, improved classroom instruction on the second floor of the Collingwood Terminals warehouse, and organized the repair of a collection of cast-off boats.

The Sailing School, in 2011, had close to 120 students and five instructors. (Almost
all of the instructors hired have been former graduates of the program.) The school’s fleet of 20 boats receives heavy use throughout the summer season. Student volunteers earn valuable experience for their instructor certification and community placement hours for high school graduation requirements. The school offers Canadian Yachting Association White Sail I, II, III, and Bronze IV; V courses at the Collingwood Harbour. The school uses a variety of dinghies from 7.5 feet to 14 feet.

Bailey is an avid skier, working as a Blue Mountain patroller from 1995 to 2004. He was a Mosport racer from 1961 to 1967 with his Sunbeam Alpine car. His first race was in front of a crowd of 50,000 people. He is passionate about all three sports; sailing, skiing and racing; describing how participants carve into turns in each of them. “You feel it”, he said. “You slide through it. If you have done all three, you can relate.”