The Belleville Sports Hall of Fame has received the names of several individuals and teams to be considered for induction into the hall this coming fall. To promote this fall’s induction ceremony and to celebrate the nominees and highlight the importance of nominating deserving candidates, the hall of fame committee has put together brief bios of our present nominees. At this point, we have thirty nominees. The actual 2022 inductees will be chosen by our selection committee later in June and shared shortly afterwards. Our main goal is to host a 2022 induction ceremony this coming September at the Quinte Sport & Wellness Centre. Follow us on social media and our website for up to date information.
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This article contains valid nominations that were received before March 30, 2022. Nominations received after this date are not included in this article due to timeline constraints. However, all nominations received before the deadline of May 25, 2022, will be considered for the 2022 induction ceremony.
Steve Bancroft -athlete -hockey
Drafted and for the Belleville Bulls of the OHL, Steve was picked in the 1st round by Toronto in the NHL entry draft. He had a 16 year professional career, playing NHL games with Chicago and San Jose.
Glen Fortin -athlete -skating
Getting started with the Quinte Figure Skating Club, Glen went on to be national champion in his age group in 1987. Following his retirement from competition, he has spent 30+ years as a builder and official with Skate Canada, working and judging at national and international competitions.
1976 Juvenile AAA Hockey team -team -hockey
This talented and hardworking group of teenagers brought home Belleville’s first ‘AAA’ hockey crown with a 69-8 won-loss record for the season. They also edged a Swedish team in an exhibition game.
Belleville Yardman Benefit team -team -softball
A dominant force in softball in the 1970’s, they won four pennants & two championships in the Belleville and District Ladies Softball League as well as three Provincial Crowns over a span of eight years.
Steven Stewart-athlete -powerlifting
A standout as a high school football player, Steve turned to weight lifting & body-building after graduation. While rehabbing a serious automobile accident, he returned to weight lifting to the point where he represented Canada at two Paralympics Games.
Ralph McCabe -athlete -baseball
A multi-sport standout in high school, Ralph was tagged with the nickname “High-Pockets” due to his 6’5” frame. After playing Junior Baseball locally, he progressed to a 14 year professional career as a pitcher, including an MLB appearance with Cleveland in 1946.
Doug Plummer -athlete -bowling
Being involved for over 30 years, Doug has coached bowlers of all ages and competed himself at the provincial level. He is a member of the Master Bowlers Assoc of Ontario as well as serving as president of the Bay of Quinte Bowlers Assoc.
Rob Cooke builder -football -rugby
Participating in multiple sports while in high school, Rob excelled on the football field as an OUAA lineman and later on the rugby pitch with the local Bulldogs club. He was a teacher/coach for 30+ years at the high school level, guiding teams in basketball, football, track & field and curling.
Barb Snedden Wood -athlete -multi sport
A standout in numerous high school sports, Barb has also held titles with the local badminton club. She has achieved gold medal titles at the provincial and national level in both softball and ice hockey.
Brad Lentini -athlete -powerlifting
After a number of years lifting weights to achieve fitness goals, Brad won gold at the first lifting event he entered. He went on to medal over 25 times at various competitions and represented Canada several time at international events.
Paula Lockyer -athlete -basketball
Following a standout high school career, Paula continued to excel at the Intercollegiate level at York University. She has also competed internationally in Marathons, Duathlons and Triathlons, including the Boston Marathon.
Jim Parkhurst -builder -drag racing
A fixture in the area racing circuit as a driver and race promoter at Shannonville Motorsports Park for years, Jim is honoured every year at Thanksgiving with a Memorial Race Weekend.
Kim Whaley-Hilts -athlete -darts
After starting as a teenager, Kim proceeded to participate 31 consecutive times at the Canadian Championships, earning the #1 ranking 7 times. She has also competed on the international stage, reaching a #5 World Ranking.
Jen Herron -athlete -volleyball
Representing high school and club teams, Jen earned multiple accolades for her on court success, including a scholarship to Barton College, where she was inducted to their Hall of Fame. She followed up with a teaching/coaching career, at multiple levels and numerous sports, including volleyball, tennis, basketball & lacrosse.
Allan Meagher -athlete
As a teenager, Al played second base for the 1919 Grand Trunk Championship team, as well as on teams in subsequent years that competed for Provincial titles. Following his retirement from the diamond, he managed the Memorial Arena through the 1940’s.
Todd Crawford -athlete -multi sport
A lifetime multi-sport athlete, Todd has medalled at the provincial, national & international levels in numerous track & field events as well as bobsleighing. He was also the driving force behind Belleville hosting a World Floorball Championship.
Howard Dell -athlete -basketball
A standout high school athlete in numerous sports, Howie was nationally ranked in decathlon in 1986. He represented Canada at international competitions in bobsleighing, including World Championships and Olympics.
1996 Quinte Red Devils Peewee -team -hockey
The first Quinte Red Devils team to win a provincial crown was coached by Brian Bowen. Many players from this team went on to the next level of play.
Mark Rupnow -athlete -hockey
A former Belleville Bobcat, Mark went on to a university career which saw him earn first team all-star accolades two years running. He had a strong professional career winning championships at various levels.
Denis Legros -athlete -badminton
As a fifteen year old, Dennis was granted an exemption to compete as an adult in the Quinte Badminton Club. He won the titles the following three years and went on to compete in Provincial and National Championships.
Pat Tracey -Builder -Football
After a standout athlete at the high school and university level in football, Pat turned his attention to coaching. He has spanned 30+ years working at the Junior, University and CFL levels, helping to foster numerous players to professional football careers.
Brian MacKenzie -Builder -multi sport
A graduate of BCIVS, at which he competed in multiple sports, Brian returned to Belleville after university to teach/coach multiple sports in area high schools. He served as President of the Bay of Quinte and COSSA, representing both organizations with OFSSA.
Joanne Moring -Athlete -weight lifting
Getting started as a teenager with the Apollo Barbell Club, Joanne repeatedly medalled at the Junior and Intermediate levels. Following a 15 year retirement, she returned to competition at the Masters level, winning gold at Provincial, National and Pan-Am Events.
1976 Midget “A” Belleville Yardmen Softball Team
This team of Belleville teenagers won the OASA crown and followed that up with a Silver Medal at the Tournament of Champions. Their roster included BSHoF inductee Andy Rossit.
Mike Kirby -Builder -basketball
A Belleville native, Mike was a standout player at the high school and university varsity level. As a high school teacher, he coached school teams, as well as starting the Belleville Spirits Basketball program.
Judi Gilbert -athlete -hockey
A standout player with local female teams, Judi was the scoring leader on the first Belleville women’s team to claim an OWHA title. She continued to excel at the university level, as a member of an OWIAA Championship team with York University.
1919 Grand Trunk BB team -team -baseball
The first Belleville team to win a Provincial Championship. A number of this team’s players would repeat a Provincial title with the Senior A Nationals in 1928.
Grant Goegan -athlete -hockey
A former Belleville Bobcat, Grant had a standout NCAA career and followed that with an 11 year stint playing professionally in Italy. He was on the Italian National Team which competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics
Jon Mills -athlete -golf
A successful amateur golfer, Jon earned an NCAA College scholarship and contributed to numerous team championships. He competed several years professionally and now coaches, winning the NCAA 2021 Coach of the Year Award.
Jim Buck -builder -multi sport
Coaching OCAA Loyalist College teams in basketball, badminton and x-country, Jim’s passion for sports and sportsmanship was evident for over 30 years. He brought the same talents to coaching youth community teams in soccer and basketball.
Our main goal is to host a 2022 induction ceremony this coming September at the Quinte Sport & Wellness Centre. Key public health and health system indicators continue to improve, and the province of Ontario is cautiously and gradually easing public health and workplace safety measures. We are optimistic that this trend will continue, and that we will see you at our first induction ceremony in three years!
The Belleville Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honouring, and preserving the record of outstanding achievements accomplished by the city’s elite athletes and builders from all eras and displaying them on a permanent basis. The Hall of Fame is housed in the Dr. R. L. Vaughan Atrium at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Center.
Contact Info:
Email: bellevilleshof@gmail.com
Website: www.bellevillesportshalloffame.com
Address:Belleville Sports Hall of Fame
265 Cannifton Road, Belleville, ON K8N 4V8
Social media:
Twitter: @bellevilleHOF
Instagram: @bellevillesportshalloffame
Facebook: Belleville Sports Hall of Fame
For questions related to this press release, please contact:
Ian Press, HOF President, 613-921-1665
Nancy Popovich, HOF Vice-President, 613-242-0330