Category Archives: 2000 – 2009

2000 - 2009, All, Builder, Male

WAYNE HUNWICKS

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As a teacher at Collingwood Collegiate Institute (CCI) from 1968 – 1999, Wayne Hunwicks spent his time divided between the classroom and the football field throughout his 31 year career.

Coach Hunwicks has been involved in football for almost 50 years.  He began his career in 1961 as a player at Royal York Collegiate. Upon his arrival to Collingwood in 1968, he quickly became involved in the school’s football program.

Through the years, fifteen local students have carried on their careers at the
collegiate level in the OUAA and other Canadian University Conferences.

Across the country, the “Fighting Owls” continue to fill the rosters of many Canadian
universities such as Queen’s, University of Western Ontario, Wilfred Laurier, Guelph, York and Acadia. Hunwicks coached three players who achieved All-Canadian status at the university level in Todd MacKay, Reinhardt Kellar and most recently Nick Comly.   Both MacKay and Kellar have won the Vanier Cup.

Awaiting his arrival, two existing Hall of Fame members Ryan Potter and Scott Lecky cut their football teeth playing for Coach Hunwicks at CCI and enjoyed successful professional football careers in the Canadian Football League (CFL).  Both players experienced the ultimate goal as participants in Canada’s ultimate football prize, the Grey Cup.

Over the years, it is estimated 1,000+ former students played under his leadership.
Many of these players have grown to become influential citizens as police officers, firefighters, business owners, skilled trades people, lawyers, accountants, school superintendants and teachers, several of whom coach high school football!

Unquestionably, it is the reverence of former players for Coach Hunwicks that has contributed to the success of the Fighting Owls Football Alumni program through their continued support. As per usual, he would deflect all praise for the success of
the Fighting Owls Football Alumni however it is his hand that is the driving force behind its of social fundraising initiatives.

Following his retirement in 1999, Wayne became a volunteer Coach for special teams and the offensive line. The 2008 season will mark Wayne’s 40th year involved in the CCI football program.

2000 - 2009, All, Builder, Male, Skiing

JIM SINCLAIR

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Having never been much of a cross-country skier as a youth, Duntroon’s Jim Sinclair still can’t explain why he became so involved with the sport that has earned his induction as a builder into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame.

After being exposed to Nordic skiing while on a three-year teaching stint in Sault Ste. Marie in the early ’60s, the 74-year-old Sinclair stepped into the coaching role of the Collingwood Collegiate’s cross-country squad for almost 20 years while also serving as an automotive instructor at the school. “I don’t know why we were drawn to
it, but we were. We used to ski as a family at Blue Mountain all the time – and I know it seems like a pittance now – but $5 for a lift ticket was too much,” Sinclair said. “So we tried something different. I took some technique lessons and it just grew from there. It was a pretty young sport at that time. Another teacher, Greg Titus, tried to get a Nordic team going, but he was involved with so many other sports, so I put my name in.”

Sinclair literally wrote the book on organizing cross-country skiing races for the
Southern Ontario Division for the provincial sports association and he helped
establish the successful Highlands Nordic facility in Duntroon, which is now owned and operated by his oldest son, Larry. With approximately 500 members and over 21 kilometres of trails, Highlands Nordic has become a world-class facility that has hosted several major competitions, including national championships, the 1993 world high school meet and the 1997 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

Sinclair played a key organizing role in those events, along with many others, including the 1991 Ontario Winter Games and the OFSAA championships in 1974 at Kolapore.

He downplays his role as a catalyst behind the development of Highlands Nordic and cross-country skiing at CCI and in southern Ontario in general, but his dedication continues to this day. He planned and worked on trails in Loree Forest, what is now Central Park in Collingwood and Huron Highlands and began hosting Georgian Bay and Ontario high school meets.

“I always said I was never going to do another trail after those and then I got into it big time at Highlands Nordic,” the Ottawa native added. “(Duntroon Highlands Golf Club founder) Dalt Sampson started the skiing and he cleared a lot of the trails himself. I don’t think that man ever skied, but he knew enough to make a nice, wide trail and didn’t make turns at the bottom of hills. Everything was done right the first
time around.”

This evening, October 23, 2004, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Jim
Sinclair as an enshrined member for his role as a Builder of our athletic community.

1950 - 1969, 2000 - 2009, All, Golf, Male, Other

AL GREIR

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Since playing Old Timers he has competed in over 2000 games, many
tournaments, won many medals, too numerous to mention. Alan coached Minor hockey for twenty years.

Football 1952,53,54,55 – Played football for CDCI

Track & Field 1952,53,54,55 – Competed in 100, 200, half mile, pole
vault and 2 Senior Championships, also numerous track events including the
Tud-Hope meets & represented central Vancouver Island at the Senior B.C.
Summer Games.

1950-59 – Numerous Hardball and Fastball Teams in Collingwood, winning
Fastball Championship in 1959.

Golf 1953 – CDCI Golf Championship

1958 – Collingwood Golf & Country Club Handicap Championship

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

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.

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

DON RICH

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Donald nicknamed “Richie” was born in Stayner, Ontario on Oct.29, 1938 moving to Collingwood in 1943. He is married to Sharon and have 3 children, Mark, Brad, and Lisa. Don was educated at Victoria Public School and Collingwood Collegiate Institute.

A summary of his hockey career is as follows:

1954-55 – Collingwood Midgets / OHA Midget B Finalists
1955-56 – Collingwood Juveniles / OHA Juvenile B Champions
1956-59 – Guelph Biltmores Junior A
1959-60 – New York Rovers Eastern Professional
1967-1968 – Collingwood Kings / OHA Senior A Provincial Finalists
1974 – 2000 – Numerous MVP Awards at Kinsmen/Oldtimer Tournaments
2000 – Collingwood Don Cherry’s Ontario Silver Medallist, Ontario Senior Winter Games-MVP Award

Incredibly, it was during the 2000 Senior Games that Don recorded 5 shutouts without taking gold! An overtime goal during the Gold Medal game was the only goal surrendered resulting in Collingwood taking home the Silver Medal.

As a member of the community, Don has been an Executive Member of the Kinsmen Club and a Past President for the Collingwood Minor Hockey Association. Founding member of Collingwood Beaver Lumber Oldtimer Hockey Club, Organizer of Collingwood Municipal Hockey Team/Tournaments,

This evening June 9, 2000 marks the induction of “Richie” into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame in the Players’ category.


	

	
	




	
	

				

			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.