Hall of Fame inducts four members in its inaugural year

July 4, 2013 · 0 Comments

Considering the long history of sports in Shelburne, it seems only fitting that there is finally a permanent place to honour people whose contributions have advanced sports through participation as an athlete, coach, team builder, or an actual team that has had a significant impact or achieved success.

The new Sports Hall of Fame is located on the second floor of the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex.

The Hall welcomed the first four inductees during a ceremony on Canada Day, July 1, 2013.

“We had several very worthy nominations,” said organizer Geoff Dunlop. “Only four have been inducted in this inaugural year.”

Golf Professional Sam Young, owner and head pro at the Shelburne Golf and Country Club was selected for his long time career as not only a former professional golfer, but even more so as a well known coach of many successful junior level golfers. He is also a member of the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame.

“It is a honour to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame, especially in this inaugural year,” Young said.

In the athlete category, former NHLer, Bert Wilson was inducted posthumously.

Mr. Wilson passed away in 1992 after a long career in the National Hockey League.

He started his hockey career in Honeywood hockey and was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 1972-74 season.

His NHL career ended with the Calgary Flames.

Accepting the award was Mr. Wilson’s nephew Hunter Wilson.

Known as a player who never backed down from a challenge, Hunter Wilson said his uncle “is recognized as one of the top 100 tough guys in the NHL’s history.”

Clarence White, also known as Fleet, was inducted into the Hall after a long career building teams in the area including the Shelburne Schooners fastball.

Mr. White has passed away but has a long and well known legacy in local sports.

Barry Trood, former coach and general manager of the Shelburne Muskies, of which Mr. White was also heavily involved, did the honours in presenting the award to Mr. White’s son Murray.

“They called him Fleet, although no one seems to know why,” Trood said, alluding it may be due to his speed on the ball diamond, or lack of, he joked.

Mr. White was also known as Mr. Muskie for keeping the local Senior AA team together.

In the 1997 / 98 season, the Shelburne Muskies pulled off a spectacular double achievement.

Not only did they win the Western Ontario Athletic Association Senior AA championship, they did it in the 100th year of the club’s existence.

For that, the 97 / 98 Muskies team was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the team category.

Presenting the award was former Muskies executive member Bill Sinclair.

Although many sports teams date back a long way, none in the region touch the longevity of the Muskies.

The new Sports Hall of Fame offers a lasting legacy to those from the Shelburne area who have had distinguished careers whether professionally or at the amateur level and have made important contributions to the sporting world both locally and internationally.

By Brian Lockhart