Nominations remain open until Sept. 30 for the next batch of Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame inductees.
Dale Walker has taken over as president of the hall, which has its main location upstairs in the A.J. LaRue Arena in Haliburton, and a satellite wall at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena in Minden.
“Few community events create the level of enthusiasm as a Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame inauguration,” Walker said.
“Our County has been home to extraordinary athletes who have brought distinction and honour to themselves and the community. When hundreds of athletes, team members, builders, coaches, families and neighbours gather under one roof to recognize sporting excellence, the energy is undeniable.”
Last May, community spirit was on display as the athletes were piped in, followed by a rendition of O Canada by Ella Gooley. There was applause as inductees accepted their awards. Walker said a highlight was the heartfelt welcome for the 1974 Hal High football champs. “Many of them flew back to their hometown from far away for the ceremony.
“Finally, there was an outpouring of emotion for our Red Wolves and their coaches who prove year after year the importance of inclusiveness in sport,” the hall president said.
Walker said if you know an individual, team, or builder from the Haliburton Highlands whose endeavours in any sport are worthy of recognition, the hall of fame committee wants your input. The nomination period for the 2026 ceremony opened Jan. 1, and runs until Sept. 30. Forms are at hhshoff.ca.
There are three categories: athletes; an individual connected with any sport, who has attained significant recognition and/or fame in, or, for the Haliburton Highlands, over a period of five years or more. An athlete must have been retired from active participation in the sport(s) for which they are nominated for a period of at least three years, or if still active, have attained the age of 40. Builders: an individual who has served as a coach, manager, trainer, game official, executive member, administrator or sponsor, or played another significant role to the advancement of sport. Teams: any team based in Haliburton County. The team must have achieved a high degree of success at the local, district and (if the opportunity existed) provincial or national level. Teams that have had a long period of success over many years at the local level will also be considered.
For all categories, written nominations and supporting documents are to be forwarded to the secretary of the hall. If you send a draft submission prior to Aug. 31, they can provide feedback and identify what else you could add to strengthen your submission. They said strong submissions include things such as photographs, newspaper articles, statistical data, and awards. Supportive letters from coaches and teammates are also helpful.
If you have questions, contact secretary Klara Oyler, at klaraoyler@ sympatico.ca
Walker said, “sport continues to be an important part of Highlands culture and the committee looks forward to considering your nominations.”
New nominees could join stellar hall of fame
Track and field star Kate Campbell, hockey players Scott LaRue and Gary Vasey, baseball exports Colin and Greg Newell, and footballer Mark Robinson were inducted into the athletes wing last time around.
Meanwhile, Gary Brohman, former principal and athletics coach at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, Jane Heyes, Ken Rosenberg, and Mark Schell Sr. were recognized as community builders.
The 1974 HHSS Redmen football squad were the sole inductee in the team category, recognized for their exploits winning the COSSA Single A championship.
The Haliburton County Red Wolves, which work with Special Olympics to have disabled athletes compete locally, and outside the County’s borders, were an inaugural recipient.
The first-ever hall class, inducted in June 2022, featured 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.
