Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame
444 - 425 Hespeler Rd N1R 8J6 Cambridge, ON, Canada

Cambridge’s Male Athlete of the 20th Century was Galt’s Normie Himes. He played 9 NHL seasons with the New York Americans scoring 107 goals in 402 games. However according to this Jan. 16 1920 article in the Galt Daily Reporter he also starred as a goaltender with the Galt Jrs.

Happy 37th birthday to Cambridge Aquajet alum Kurtis MacGillivary. Kurtis, who was a very talented age group swimmer with the Aquajets, moved to Australia to train and soon after broke the oldest existing Canadian long course swimming record. Despite setting more Canadian records and meeting the Olympic standard for the the 1500m freestyle Kurtis was inexplicably left off the 2004 Canadian Olympic team. He was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/kurtis-macgillivary/

Happy 63rd birthday to GCI alum and Galt native Rob Hedges. Rob has spent 4 decades mentoring young athletes on the ball diamond in the summer and on the ice in the winter. He was one of the founders of the Ontario Terriers high performance baseball program for 15-18 yr. olds. He has served as the General Manager for the Cambridge Winter Hawks and Kitchener Dutchmen Jr. hockey teams and is the manager of the Preston Rivulettes. Rob is also on the Board of Directors of the Cambridge Roadrunners Girls Hockey Association. He was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/rob-hedges/

Happy 57th birthday to one of the best middle-distance runners in Canadian history. Doug Consiglio, a Southwood grad, began his running career under the tutelage of George Aitkin and after leaving Cambridge to attend the University of Arkansas he would eventually hold 7 Canadian records in 5 different events. While at Arkansas Doug participated on an incredible 8 NCAA Championship teams (4 in track and 4 in cross country). He was the first Canadian to run the mile under 4 minutes indoors and in 1986 he was #2 in the world in the indoor mile. Doug is a member of the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. He is one of 32 Olympians in the Hall. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/doug-consiglio/ #sssLeadershipandAthletics

The Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame wishes to pass on condolences to the family of Gord Renwick who passed away on Jan. 6. Gord is a two time inductee into the Hall of Fame being part of the inaugural class in 1997 and later with the 1969-71 Galt Hornets. He was among the first class inductees into the Order of Hockey in Canada as he served 20 years on the International Ice Hockey Federation representing Canada. Gord also served as president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Assn. and was president of the Galt Hornets from 1966-73 leading them to two Allen Cups.

Thirteen years before the Lowther Street Arena was built Preston was playing hockey and it cost 15 cents to watch.

On this day in 1890 one of the most colourful characters that ever coached baseball in Galt was born. Robert Bush McWhirter arrived in Galt in 1921 and promptly led the Galt Terriers to consecutive Ontario Baseball Championships. He paved the way for Galt to be at the top of the Inter-County baseball world in the 20s and 30s. The Terriers also won the OBA title in 1931 and the following year he coached the Galt Robin Hoods to the Ontario Junior Championship. His run-ins with umpires were legendary and many fans came to the games to see his arguments and subsequent ejection as much as the action on the diamond at Dickson Park. Bush retired from coaching in 1947 and passed away in 1964 at the age of 73. He was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Read more http://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/robert-bush-mcwhirter/

Please join the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in wishing Cambridge sporting icon John Corbett a happy 83rd birthday. When Galt, Preston and Hespeler were amalgamated in 1973 the new city of Cambridge was faced with the task of also combining many of the sport organizations. John Corbett was the man who undertook many of these reorganizations. He helped form the Cambridge Minor Football League in 1974 and was a founding member of the Cambridge Minor Baseball Association. As a ...baseball coach his Cambridge Cubs have won 3 Provincial Championships and 10 Intercounty Championships. The baseball field on Sterling MacGregor is named after John. He has also been involved with the Cambridge Skating Races for over 50 years. John was one of the founding members of the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and was inducted into it in 2007. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/john-corbett/ See more

The City of Cambridge has a storied and impressive athletic legacy. The towns of Hespeler, Preston and Galt, later tied together as Cambridge, have produced quite an array of Champions. The Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame has inducted 90 athletes and 44 teams since 1997. These inductees have accumulated 64 Canadian Championships and 36 World Championships over some 116 years. There are 27 Olympians amongst our inductees and 29 professional athletes. We are interested to know what is your favourite Cambridge sports memory? Visit our website to see these Cambridge treasures. http://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/

On this date in 1910 Galt played its final game in the Stanley Cup Challenge against the Ottawa Senators losing 3-1. It was the first of two Stanley Cup Challenges for the Galt Professionals who were the champions of the Ontario Professional Hockey League in 1910 and 1911. Goaltender Hugh Lehman and forward Tommy Smith are both in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The story of game 1 of this series appeared in the Galt Daily Reporter on Jan. 6 1910.

On this day in 1938 one of Cambridge’s foremost athletic contributors was born. Benita Rope, along with husband Don, founded the Cambridge Kips gymnastics club in 1972 and saw it produce 5 Olympians, 4 national champions and dozens of international competitors. She was the coach of Canada’s national gymnastics team for the boycotted 1980 Olympics. Her name remains in prominence in Cambridge as each year the top sports contributor is presented the Don and Benita Rope Award at the Cambridge Sports Awards. She is a member of the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. Benita passed away in 2016 at the age of 77. Read more http://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/benita-rope/

On this day in 1944 one of the greatest Canadian rowers was born. Bill Ingraham began rowing at the age of 31 in 1975 and during the next 35 years he would win 6 World Championships , 14 Canadian Championships, 13 Royal Canadian Henley Championships and 6 U.S. Championships. He was awarded the Tim Turow Award as Cambridge’s Athlete of the Year in 1991. Bill was a founding member of the Cambridge Rowing Club and was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. He lost a battle with cancer in 2014 at the age of 69. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/bill-ingraham/

Happy 59th birthday to Preston Figure Skating Club alum Doug Ladret. Doug and partner Christine Tuffy Hough were one of the top pairs teams in the world in the late 80s and early 90s. He is a two time Olympian, a Skate Canada champion and a Canadian National Pairs champion. Following a four year professional career with Stars on Ice, Doug had a successful coaching stint in Arizona trying to promote skating in the Southwest. He is currently living in Colorado and runs a thriving real estate business. Doug was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame, along with Christine, in 2004. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/hough-ladret/

Happy 39th birthday to Preston native Scott Thorman. A #PrestonHighSchool alum, Scott was drafted in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft in 2000 and played professional baseball for 12 seasons including two years in the Major Leagues with the Atlanta Braves. He played 1088 minor league games and 175 with the Braves in the National League. He was a member of Team Canada in the 2008 Olympic games. After his playing days were over Scott began managing in the Kansa...s City Royals organization and has steadily moved up the minor league ladder winning league championships in 2018 and 2019. He is currently the manager of the AA Arkansas Naturals. Scott is a member of the Ontario Blue Jays Hall of Fame, the PHS Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/scott-thorman/ See more

As #WomensHistoryMonth comes to a close we salute the 32 women and 9 teams who are inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame. Ladies like Hilda Ranscombe and Dorothy Kerr were trailblazers and set the stage for later day standouts like Anne Dunn and Amanda Overland to post outstanding performances on the athletic stage. Similarly, teams like the Galt Gaytops in 1957 and the Preston Rivulettes in the 1930s paved the way for the 1987 Cambridge Belles and the Cambridge Turbos to rise to national prominence.

Happy 80th birthday to Cambridge’s Special Olympics ambassador, Sandra Goodwin. Sandra has been the cornerstone of Special Olympics in Cambridge for 5 decades. Beginning in 1970 she has served as a volunteer, coach, convenor and community coordinator for the local Special Olympics, most notably with the bowling program. She has also been provincial coach six times and national coach three times. Sandra also had a 25 year involvement with the Can-Amera Games. She was named the YWCA Woman of the Year and won the first ever City of Cambridge Inclusion Award and was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. Read more herehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/sandra-goodwin/

On this date in 1935 long time Hespeler volunteer Joyce Leggatt was born. Joyce spent 30 years volunteering with Cambridge Speed Skating, serving in roles from secretary to president, as well as 10 years as president of the Ontario Speed Skating Association. She was the 1994 Woman of the Year and was named the 2001 Outstanding Volunteer by Speed Skating Canada. Joyce and her husband Jack were the Don and Benita Rope Award winners in 1994 and they were inducted together into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Joyce passed away in 2014 at the age of 78. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/jack-joyce-leggatt/

On this date in 1933 one of the pillars of Ontario Ringette was born in Galt. John Cross was a founding member of the Cambridge Ringette Association in 1973 and over the next 30 years was also active provincially and nationally in six different ringette associations coaching at all competitive levels and ages. From 1984-2009 the GCI alum was also president and coach with Cambridge Girls Softball. John was the Don and Benita Rope Award winner in 1993 and is a member of the Ontario Ringette Hall of Fame. John passed away in 2010 at the age of 76 and he was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/john-cross/

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic the Induction Ceremony for the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019 has been rescheduled for Saturday May 1, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cambridge Centre Hall of Fame display area. The Class of 2019 features Olympians Nathan Brannen and Victoria Moors, broadcasting greats Mark Lee from the CBC and Randy Steinman from CTV, NHL veteran Tim Brent, lawn bowler James Law, Cambridge hockey volunteer Paul Ross and the three time National Ringette Champion Cambridge Turbos (2014-2017).

Congratulations to 2012 inductee Ian Leggatt who has been named the General Manager of St. George's Golf and Country Club in Toronto effective November 1. St. George's is ranked the 23rd golf course in the world and is poised to host the 111th RBC Canadian Open in 2021.

On this date in 1906 one of the pioneers of Jr. A hockey in Galt was born in Stratford. Al Murray played 12 professional hockey seasons, 7 of them with the New York Americans in the NHL . He was regarded as one of the toughest defensemen to play in the NHL during the 1930s. In 1950 Al helped start the Jr. A hockey program in Galt, coaching the Galt Kist Canadians and later the Galt Jr. Red Wings. During his coaching career in Galt he was the owner of the Albion Hotel. Al passed away in 1982 at the age of 75 and was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/al-murray/

The Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame would like to honour its inductees who served their country during the war years. Clarence Dolly Dolson won the Distinguished Service Medal during WWI. Lex Chisholm, Tex Kaiser, Stan Blain, Cliff Bricker, Jim Broomfield, George Heggie and Harris Legg served in WWII. Herb Morton fought in the Korean War. Harry McKendrick was the chairman of the War Memorial Committee that erected the cenotaph in Queen's Square in 1930.

Happy 71st birthday to Hespeler native Ann (Klager) Higgs. Ann was the top female water skier in Canada in 1969-70 winning back to back Canadian Championships. She was the first of many Canadian champions from the Puslinch Water Ski Club which Ann, along with the McClintocks, helped become the Can-Am Water Ski Club. In her short but brilliant career Ann also won 2 gold and 1 silver medals at the very first Canada Summer Games in 1969. She suffered career ending injuries while training on Puslinch Lake and retired in 1971. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/ann-higgs-klager/

On this day in 1914 one of the best distance runners of the 20th century was born in the old Galt hospital. Ab Morton was a member of the famed Galt Track Club of the late 1940s that won 3 consecutive team championships at the Berwick Run for the Diamondsin Pennsylvania and was considered the finest community running club in the world. Ab was the Canadian Marathon Champion in 1947 and also was runner up for Canadian Athlete of the Year. He won the International Marathon Championship in 1946. He was one of the original inductees into GCI’s Stairway of Excellence. He is a member of the Cambridge Hall of Fame and was in the inaugural class of the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Ab passed away in 2011 at the age of 97. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/ab-morton/

On this day in 1923 the father of minor soccer in Cambridge was born. Cornelius Con Cole emigrated to Canada from England in 1957 and fought an uphill battle to get soccer started in Galt. He found support from the citizens and recreation committee in Preston and finally, in 1963, the Preston Minor Soccer Assn. was formed. Today, soccer in Cambridge is one of the largest minor sports organizations, which is fitting for a city that boasts a World Championship in 1904. Con retired from Joy Manufacturing in the 90’s and passed away in 2004 at the age of 80. He was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/cornelius-con-cole/

The Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame wishes to pass on condolences to the family of Brian Shouldice who passed away on Oct. 1 at the age of 63. Brian was active in the minor sport community coaching Cambridge Hawks hockey and Cambridge Cubs baseball. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 as a member of the 1969 Galt Nationals.

Please join the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in wishing Glenview Park alum Kali (Bogias) Parsons a happy 61st birthday. Kali is a two time World Powerlifting Champion (1983 & 1984) and in the early 1980s she owned the Canadian Championships and constantly set new powerlifting records. Kali is also a two time winner of the Tim Turow Athlete of the Year Award. She returned to Glenview to teach and led the Panther Power Lifting Team to two Ontario Championships. Kali is a member of the Canadian Powerlifting Hall of Fame and was part of the inaugural class to be inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/kali-bogias-parsons/

Happy 51st birthday to Preston Figure Skating Club alum Christine Tuffy Hough. Christine, along with partner Doug Ladret, is a two time Olympian having competed at Calgary in 1988 and Albertville in 1992. During an 8 year amateur career she won the Canadian Pairs Championship in 1988 and the Skate Canada crown in 1987. She and Doug also toured with Stars on Ice for 4 years and appeared on the tv show Battle of the Blades. She currently lives in Boston with her husband Don Sweeney, the former Boston Bruin and has done some coaching with the Skating Club of Boston. Christine was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame along with Ladret in 2004. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/hough-ladret/

Please join the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in wishing waterskiing legend Joel McClintock a happy 60th birthday. A member of the world famous McClintock waterskiing family, Joel competed on the Canadian National team for 10 years during the 70s culminating with a World Championship in 1979. He won multiple gold medals at Canadian and International events and was selected as Canada’s Amateur Athlete of the Year in 1979 as well as Cambridge’s Athlete of the Year. Following hi...s competitive career he coached the National team for 9 years leading them to 2 World Team titles. He is a member of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada Hall of Fame and was part of the inaugural class inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Joel currently resides in West Palm Beach where he owns a successful real estate business. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/joel-mcclintock/ See more

Happy 74th birthday to one of the best softball pitchers in Canada during the 1960s. Bob Eccles led the Galt Slees to 4 Ontario Championships during that decade highlighted by his remarkable 26 inning, 5 hr. shutout of the K-W Forwell Super Vs in which he struck out 58 and allowed only 6 hits in June of 1967. Bob is retired from a 34 year teaching career in Guelph and was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. Read more herehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/bob-eccles/

Please join the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in wishing a happy 68th birthday to Cambridge’s premier runner/photographer. George Aitkin has run over 100,000 miles and taken over 100,000 photographs since he began running over 50 years ago. He has mentored Olympians as well as weekend joggers by his work with the Can-Amera Games, the Terry Fox Run and the Cambridge Harriers and Colts. It’s not unlikely that most Cambridge citizens have either seen George on his regular runs through the city or have seen his photos. This Cambridge treasure was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. Read more herehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/george-aitkin/

Happy 79th birthday to a Cambridge basketball icon. Jim Baird was raised in Galt and attended Dickson, Highland, St. Andrew’s and graduated from GCI. He taught physical education and coached basketball for 30 plus years at GCI and Southwood. He was a co-founder of Cambridge Basketball and served as president of the Ontario Basketball Assn. A 1997 winner of the Don and Benita Rope Award his girls basketball teams won 5 straight WCSSAA Championships in the 80s and 90s. His contributions to life in Cambridge are evident in the many students that benefitted from his leadership. Jim was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/jim-baird/

Naomi had the heart of a lioness. A true example of a Canadian hero.

On this day in 1925 one of the best hockey and baseball players ever to come from Preston was born. Vern Tex Kaiser had a nine year year professional hockey career and played on a line with Rocket Richard in Montreal in 1950. He led the Sr. Inter County Baseball League in homers in 1949 as he helped the Galt Terriers win the Inter County pennant. He was selected as one of the top 100 players of the Inter County in 2018 and he was part of the inaugural class of the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Tex passed away in 2011 at the age of 85. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/verne-tex-kaiser/

Happy 55th birthday to Galt native and GCI alum Ian Leggatt. During a 19 year professional golf career Ian won three tour events and while he attended Texas Wesleyan University he was a two time NAIA All-American. He is currently the director of golf at Summit Golf Club in Richmond Hill and serves as the golf analyst on Sportsnet. He is a member of the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame and the Texas Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame. He joined his parents, Jack and Joyce, as a member of the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Read morehttp://cambridgeshf.com/inductee/eion-leggatt/