Paying tribute
New Waterford and District Sports Heritage Hall of Fame induction ceremony
The public is invited to help New Waterford celebrate some more of their own legends in sports, today. The New Waterford and District Sports Heritage Hall of Fame will be inducting five new members, two teams and two individuals for special achievements, during a special ceremony at the KOC hall, at 7 p.m. “It will be an interesting night for sure, a highlight,” said Ron MacDonald, a member of the New Waterford and District Sports Heritage Hall of Fame committee. MacDonald said it would be nice for people to come out and help pay tribute to the sports icons from previous years. “A lot of people come from out of town - we get a lot of visitors.” The five individuals to be inducted, with a little background provided by officials from the hall of fame, include: • Johnny Nemis, boxing - building category: “He’s a renowned fighter in his own right. Nemis trained Blair Richardson in his early career.” • Fred Connors Sr., athlete - basketball: “He was a lightening quick guard for the 1947 Strands basketball team who won the Canadian Intermediate title. Generally considered best Cape Breton basketball player of his era.” • Karl Marsh, athlete/builder - baseball and basketball: “Star baseball player. Played on 1959 Giants provincial and maritime champs. Sharp shooting guard for the New Waterford Strands basketball team, perennial Nova Scotia champs.” • Joe (Pounder) Cormier, athlete - baseball: “Versatile baseball player, played professionally in the Quebec provincial league with Grandy and Sherbrooke and semi pro with the Kentville Wildcats of the same H& D league (Halifax and District). He also played on the 1946 New Waterford Strands Hockey team, which won the Cape Breton senior hockey title. • Bruce Campbell, athlete - hockey: “Renowned hockey stalwart. Led New Waterford Jets and North River P.E.I. Winner of Capstick award with North River as top junior hockey tier two player in Canada. A prolific scorer wherever he played including the tough Newfoundland senior league and won the Allen cup with Truro. Two teams were also selected to be inducted, The St. Agnes High School 1962 Nova Scotia High School Soccer Champs and the 1963 Mount Carmel High School provincial soccer champs. “I think the year Mount Carmel won the ‘A’ division, Central High School won the ‘B’ division. That will tell you what kind of soccer teams are in New Waterford. That was a town with three schools.” Special achievement awards will go to Russell MacDonald for harness racing and Mike Campbell, for hockey. “Mike Campbell, still playing competitive hockey at age 89. Played for New Victoria Eagles in his heyday and is still going strong. “Russell MacDonald - oldest harness racing driver racing in Canada at the age of 85. Raced competitively in seven decades. Recently won at Northside against much young driver with ‘Grandtacular,’ a horse he also trains.” Tickets to the ceremony are $30 and include a meal. Anyone wishing to purchase a ticket is asked to telephone Gaye Desveaux, 902-862-8959.