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In recognition of local athletes' achievements and the unsung individuals who have committed time to improve a sport they love, this year's Orillia Sports Hall of Fame will honour seven inductees at its upcoming Gala.
"Without the Hall of Fame, most people would have no idea of the impact of local citizens on sports both near and far," said Roy Micks, the chair of Sports Orillia.
The class of 2021 includes community "Builders" Joanne Stanga, Nels Dunlop and Bill Smith and athlete Mark Shivers. The 2020 nominees will also be honoured, as last year's ceremony was cancelled due to the pandemic.
A pioneering figure in women's lacrosse, Joanne Stagna’s passion and commitment to the sport are evident at both local and international levels. She was the head and assistant coach of the senior women and U19 women's field lacrosse national teams. Her many accolades include the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award, the Canadian Lacrosse Association's Lester B. Pearson award and an induction into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame. From coaching to developing training materials, she has left her mark on the sport.
Nels Dunlop will also be honoured as a Builder. Dunlop has been a stalwart figure in the Orillia minor baseball community since the late 1950s. He's worn the hats of a coach and umpire and won the 1966 Ontario Bantam Championship when he was manager.
"Anything that minor baseball needed, Nels was always there," Micks said.
Another longtime figure in the sports community is Bill Smith. Smith bought the Orillia Travelways in 1979, and under his ownership, the Travelways went to the Canadian Championship from 1984 to 1986, winning the Centennial Cup in 1985. Smith has continued to support minor and junior hockey programs in Orillia over the last 35 years.
Elite swimmer Mark Shivers will be honoured in the athlete category. Shivers began his career with the Orillia Channels Cats in 1989 and was one of Ontario's top swimmers throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. A Canadian National Champion in the 50-meter butterfly, his athletic ability is well-worth celebrating at this year's Gala.
The 2020 inductees include "Builders" Bill Watters and Wayne Dowswell, and athlete Dave Town.
The landscape of the Orillia sports community would not be the same without the contributions of Bill Watters, who was instrumental in running the Orr Walton Sports Camp and having it located in Orillia. After graduating as a star athlete at the University of Toronto, Watters became an NHL player agent and broadcaster. He was the assistant general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs for several years and founder and part-owner of the Toronto Rock National Lacrosse League team.
Joining Watters in the Builder category is Wayne Downsell, whose contribution to weightlifting and wrestling has strengthened the sports community. While a gym teacher, he led Park Street Collegiate Institute to 19 consecutive city wrestling championships.
Dave Town, a longtime coach of Orillia's master's swimmers, will be inducted as an athlete. An elite swimmer, Town has won seven gold medals for the University of Toronto and a gold at the Canada Games. He continues to be a top-ranked swimmer and has more than 60 Canadian and four world records in masters swimming.
The May 28 gala will be hosted at Hawk Ridge Golf and Country Club. To purchase a ticket, email [email protected].
