The ceremony at the Baltimore Recreation Centre just north of Cobourg was well attended on Sunday as new members took their place in the sports hall of fame.
The list of those inducted, in alphabetical order was:
William John (Jack) Bevan, one of the founders of the Cobourg Legion Softball League for whom the Jack Bevan Diamond was named.
Jim Bradford, who became the first-ever umpire in Canada to receive his Level 5 status in both fast-pitch and slow-pitch.
Kristen (Fawcett) Dajia, a multi-sport athlete in Volleyball, Hammer Throw and Women’s Rugby and advocate for parity and equality for women in track and field events.
Al F. Fenton, a regular competitor at Kawartha, COSSA, OFSSA throughout his high-school career.
Effie Francis (Fran) Jay, who never played a sport, but played a critical role in baseball and the growth and acceptance of woman’s hockey taking on countless administrative tasks; creating leagues, organizing tournaments, sitting on executive boards, running fundraisers and more.
Lawrence Gerald (Larry) O’Connor, a 1936 Olympian who set Canadian records in the 110-meter-high hurdles, the 120-yard-high hurdles, and the 220-yard low hurdles.
Arthur (Art) Ravensdale, another Olympian who retired from the sport as the Canadian Hurdling Champion for seven consecutive years (1928 to 1934).
Dave (Earl) Waldie a double threat who was named the WHL Rookie-of-the-Year and made the WHL first all-star team in hockey and in baseball he participated on 18 championship teams, at the local, provincial, and national level.
We spoke with Fran Jay’s daughter Brenda Mock and grand-daughter Emily Mock who told us more about Fran.
MPP David Piccini was also in attendance to celebrate these outstanding new members of the sports hall of fame.
Dave Waldie took a moment to share some of his excitement at being inducted.
Kristen Dajia told becoming a member of the sports hall of fame means so much to her.
The Induction Dinner for the inductees will be at the Cobourg Best Western on Friday June 14 so be sure to mark your calendars.
If you know of other deserving individuals, you are encouraged you to make a nomination through the Inductee Nomination Forms on the Cobourg and District Sports Hall of Fame website: Induction Application | Cobourg and District Sports Hall Of Fame (cdshf.ca). The deadline for next year’s nominations is September 30th.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
