It’s not easy to earn a spot in Orillia’s Sports Hall of Fame. That’s what makes it special.
But the process starts with a nomination and that’s where you come in.
“Nominations are now open for athletes and builders to be inducted in 2019,” said Martino di Sabatino, the president of Sport Orillia, the local organization that oversees the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame. “We know Orillia has produced some outstanding athletes and some incredible builders and one of our mandates is to recognize those from our past who have helped put this city on the map.”
It’s easy to nominate an athlete or builder. Just visit the website and fill out the three-page nomination form found there.
“The deadline to nominate someone is Nov. 30,” said di Sabatino. “We’re really hoping people in the community will step up and nominate worthy candidates … that’s the only way we can induct someone into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame. It starts with the nomination.”
However, only worthy candidates are inducted, noted di Sabatino, who heads up the selection committee that determines hall eligibility.
“The selection criteria is pretty stringent but that’s what makes being inducted into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame special,” he said.
For example, athletes must have performed at a high level, represented Orillia with honour and must have concluded their careers at least three years prior to being nominated or have reached the age of 50.
Builders may include officials, sponsors, executive, trainers, owners, coaches, etc. whose work over an extended period has been outstanding in providing a consistently high level of contribution to the sports community.
To date, there are 17 esteemed members of Orillia’s Sports Hall of Fame.
The first class of inductees entered the shrine in 2015 and included Elaine Thompson, Cam Devine, Jake Gaudaur Jr., Walter Knox and Walter Henry.
In 2016, Brian Orser, Rick Ley, Harry Gill and Jake Gaudaur Sr. were inducted. The following year, Rob Town, Jerry Udell, Terry Bullen and Lawrence Mervyn McKenzie were inducted.
Last year, Ken ‘Jiggs’ McDonald, Brittney Fess, Toben Sutherland and Jayme Davis were feted at the annual gala at Casino Rama.
Each of these hall of famers in addition to future inductees will be memorialized at the Sports Hall of Fame lounge that will be part of the Orillia Recreation Centre set to open next year on West Street.
If worthy nominees are submitted in time (by Nov. 30) and if they are approved by the selection committee, an Orillia Sports Hall of Fame Gala would take place in April of 2019.
For more information about Sport Orillia and the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame, visit the website.
