Woodstock Sports Wall Of Fame Inductions

Now Playing

Friday, 27 October 2017 05:11

Peter Campbell - Lifetime Achievement Recipient, (Submitted photo)

Celebrating athletes and those who have contributed to the sporting community since 1996.

WOODSTOCK - The Woodstock Sports Wall Of Fame 2017 Induction Ceremony will honour 10 of Woodstock's finest of the past and present.

As part of Canada 150 The Woodstock Wall of Fame has increased the number of inductees this year from 7 to 10. The free event will honour the accomplishments and dedication to sports in the community.

Mark Schadenberg Chair of The Woodstock Recreation Advisory Committee says the Committee has honoured a wide range of athletes.

"I think the City of Woodstock has a varied success in sports and it's all sports, not just a few significant ones, but the Sports Wall of Fame started in 1996, so we have honoured people from weightlifting, bowling and gymnastics in the past."

This year the lifetime achievement honours go to Dr.Peter Fowler. Fowler is a former Pan-Am games medallist, and more recently known for his contributions to the sports and medical community with the Fowler-Kennedy Clinic in London as well as his work as Chief medical officer for Canada at the Olympics.

When asked about the other athletes being celebrated, Schadenburg boasted about the years top male athlete Micheal Heath.

"He won two gold medals in the 50 metre freestyle and also the 50 metre butterfly, so he competes not only in the Specially Olympics but also the Paralympics in the S-14 designation, so it is very nice that he has some sporting accomplishments that will be recognized on Saturday."

In addition to Heath, those being honoured include Dawn Brokers a National gold medallist in synchro skating with Nexxice Skating Team based in Burlington in 2008.

In the Team category the 2009 Woodstock Wildcats girls’ bantam hockey team. The team won the provincial Bantam ‘B’ OWHA championship and qualified for Ontario playdowns by winning Lower Lakes league title.

There are three recipients in the Builder of Sport category. Beth Lochhead, an accomplished 35-year coach on the figure skating scene in Woodstock, including involvement in annual skating carnival and is also a current director on the club’s executive.

Long time Woodstock high school basketball coach Peter Ewing will be highlighted Long-time , including OFSAA silver in 1975 with a CASS boys’ senior team. Played for Woodstock Kings in men’s basketball. Was co-chair of Terry Fox Run in Woodstock in 2016.

Dan Sutherland. Involved in fastball, old timers slo-pitch convener (Started league in 1987) and old timers hockey. Athlete, organizer, fundraiser, and member of Navy Club executive.

In the Lifetime Achievement category, there are three recipients including Dr Peter Fowler. Previously a ‘male athlete’ as a Pan-Am Games medallist as swimmer. Significant contributions to sports medical community (Fowler-Kennedy Clinic in London). Chief medical officer for Canada at the Olympics

Peter Campbell will also receive accolades in the category. Campbell holds an impressive 34 years as a OUA basketball head coach for Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (16 years; school’s all-time leader for wins) and Laurentian Voyageurs (2 OUA championships).

Lastly Ross Garner's lifetime achievements will be honoured in the category. In 1964 senior pairs figure skating – 2nd at nationals and was named an alternate for Olympics. Competed in singles also. Power skating coach for NHL teams including Boston and Detroit. Garner passed away in 2006.

The ceremony is a free community event a the Reeves Hall at Cowan Park on Saturday at 1:30pm.