The Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame will have some new additions next year, with five athletes, two builders, and one team to be inducted in the Class of 2024
Roger Trull, hall of fame chair, said nominations for the next batch of sporting heroes are now open. A committee will be accepting recommendations until the end of October. Trull said a second class will be announced in February, with an induction ceremony to be held May 25, 2024.
“We got started on this because we understood the importance of sport to our community. There are a lot of decorated people deserving of recognition for their commitment to excellence, to their team, and to making other people’s dreams become reality,” Trull told The Highlander.
The inaugural class, inducted in June 2022, features football stars Michael Bradley and Taly Williams, track and field Olympian Lesley Tashlin, university track star Anna Tomlinson, hockey players Cody Hodgson, Ron Stackhouse, Bernie Nicholls, Donald Beverley (Joe) Iles, Glen Dart, and Marla MacNaull, and curler Jake Walker.
Those honoured in the original builders category, recognizing those who have made significant contributions to furthering sport in the Highlands, included Linda J. Brandon, Albert John (Ab) LaRue, and Lenny Salvatori.
The 1934 Haliburton Huskies, 1956-58 Minden Monarchs, and 1971 Haliburton Jr. D Huskies were recognized in the teams section.
“We purposely started with a larger group to help establish the hall of fame. We worked really hard to make sure it wasn’t viewed solely as a hockey hall of fame. We want to recognize people who have made a name for themselves in any sport. There’s lots of great athletes here in the Highlands,” Trull said.
There are criteria each candidate must meet to be eligible for induction, Trull notes. They must have attained significant recognition and/or fame in, or for, the Haliburton Highlands for at least five years in any sport. Athletes must have been retired from active participation for at least three years, or if they’re still active, be at least 40 years old. Nominations for the builders and teams categories are eligible at any time, with no waiting period.
Written nominations and supporting documents, including newspaper clippings, awards and certificates, stats and records, and a photograph, are required.
“Generally, we’re looking for athletes who have had outstanding careers locally and beyond. People who have provincial, national, or international exposure,” Trull said. “For builders, we’re looking for people who have dedicated themselves to making sport better in the Highlands – and that can take many forms… and for teams, we want something that sets them apart and distinguishes themselves from other teams.”
Trull said a seven-person selection committee, of four community members and three people from the hall of fame committee, will have final say on any new addition. A wall mounted display, outlining their accomplishments, will be erected in the hall of fame, located on the second floor of A.J. LaRue arena. The induction ceremony will also be held at the arena.
“We want this to be a special thing for athletes, and a special thing for their families,” Trull said.
For more information, including how to submit a nomination, visit hhshoff.ca.
