Top 100 most influential sports figures
Lacrosse’s Ted Higgins, rowing’s Carol Love, hockey’s Brent Tully among those placing on the list from No. 51 to 100
These individuals, in my opinion are the Top 100 most influential sports figures in Peterborough and area in the last 100 years.
Undoubtedly, I have missed some who definitely should be included, for that I apologize.
(Today, Part 1 No. 51 to 100)
51. Ted Higgins, lacrosse
Organized and sponsored the resurgence of senior Lakers in early 2000s; became president of team.
52. Carol Love, rowing
Member of Canada’s women’s eight at 1976 Montreal Olympics. Coached Trent University, Peterborough high school and national rowing teams.
53. John Godfrey, hockey
Played Sudbury Wolves, 1938 world hockey champions. Turned pro with New York Rovers, later coached Jr. B in Peterborough.
54. Cec Perdue, media
Became Examiner’s first sports editor in 1931, continued chronicling sports in the city for 37 years.
55. Clair Leahy, softball
After a career of softball pitching, Clair turned to organizing and resurrecting softball programs in the city. 56. Fred Blowes, lacrosse
Fred, a high school coach, promoted girls lacrosse in the schools and also in the city. His efforts resulted in a number of girls receiving scholarships to NCAA schools and Peterborough hosting two U19 world field lacrosse championships.
57. Bud Labranche, media
As a writer for the Peterborough Review, Bud’s column under the name Joe Narf, covered sports in the city for many years. He was involved in the building of the Civic Arena and Memorial Centre.
58. Tracey Kelusky, lacrosse
Won three Mann Cups playing with Lakers, three more as assistant coach. Won NLL title with Calgary, in NLL Hall of Fame.
59. Rick Kinsmen, gymnastics
After competing in Pan Am Games and Olympics, Rick won a world title in synchronized trampoline. He later toured with a trampoline act, playing regularly in Las Vegas.
60. Joan Sparrow, figure skating
Sparrow won the Canadian junior figure skating championship at the age of 15, later made the Canadian world team. Turned to a successful career in coaching and instructing skating.
61. Elaine Devlin, softball
After stellar minor career locally, went on softball scholarship to Sam Houston University. Played in 16 Canadian championships and represented Canada three times in international tournaments.
62. Brent Tully, hockey
Brent won two world junior gold medals, captaining the 1994 Canadian team. Managed Cobourg to 2017 Canadian Tier II title.
63. Tim Barrie, lacrosse
Won Minto and Mann Cups with Peterborough. MVP of both series. President of Peterborough Juniors, won Minto Cup in 2006.
64. Gene Hurtubise, wrestling
Gene was an undefeated amateur wrestling champion of Canada in 1920s. He later wrestled some of the top professional wrestlers of the time. 65. Mike Oke, hockey
General Manager of Petes since 2013. Raised in Peterborough, followed a career of scouting, coaching and management leading to current position.
66. John Grant Sr.,
lacrosse MVP in Minto and Mann Cup series. Played pro for Philadelphia, member of 1978 Canada field team, world champions, promoted game in Sudbury and Peterborough.
67. Gord Beatty, football
After playing football for the Air Force in the Second World War, coached Peterborough junior team. Later played and coached the Orfuns to Eastern Canadian and Canadian titles.
68. Dr. Ralph Clark, curling
In 1952, skipped a local rink to the Ontario Consuls. Represented Ontario at Brier in Winnipeg, had 6-4 record for fourth place.
69. Red Wasson, softball
Won three Ontario Intermediate A softball titles, played Jr. B goal in hockey, longtime chair of Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame.
70. Chloe Black, cycling
National road and track team member 1995 to 2000. Coached USA men’s Paralympic Tandem team at 2012 Olympics.
71. Lee Vitarelli, lacrosse
Managed Peterborough Jr. A lacrosse team for over 40 years, winning nine Minto Cups.
72. Frank Buckland, hockey
Coached teams in 1930s and 40s. President of OHA two terms in 1950s. Elected Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975.
73. Knottie Lee, baseball
Brought in to manage baseball in the 1920s, creating long legacy for the sport by bringing in top players.
74. Jack Dugan, boxing
Had 105 amateur bouts and a 44-2 record professionally. Held Canadian middleweight championship in 1942. Ran boxing programs in Toronto.
75. Doug Gibson, hockey
Twice AHL MVP, played for NHL Washington and Boston. Voted AHL coach of year with Hershey in 1980. Chairs Hall of Fame golf tournament.
76. Kerri Hardill, lacrosse
Twelve years with national teams, played in two world championships. MVP of 1994 Commonwealth Games lacrosse tournament. 77. Roy Henderson, wheelchair basketball
Roy has participated in five Paralympics winning gold medals in 2000 and 2004. In 2004, his Canadian wheelchair basketball team was voted Canada’s team of the year.
78. Bill Huntley, football
Played at Queen’s then senior in Hamilton. With Peterborough Orfuns, the teams MVP in 1952-53-54. Captain of Canadian Intermediate team championship in 1954.
79. Cory and Chris Johnston, fishing
Chris first Canadian to win Bassmaster Elite series in 2020, Cory finished second in Bassmaster Elite Angler of the Year standings in 2019.
80. Steve Terry, baseball
Steve has coached local teams since 1977. Also coached and scouted for the national baseball team and won bronze medal as coach on 1993 Canadian team at University Games.
81. Elaine Hewitt, swimming, track
Member of Canadian Cerebral Palsy team from 1980 to 86. Won gold in swimming at 86 CP Games in Belgium. Peterborough athlete of year in 1984.
82. Gabe Robinson, football
Gabe played high school football at TASSS, then Toronto Varsity Blues and two years with CFL Toronto Argonauts in 2003 and 04, winning a Grey Cup.
83. Bill Callidine, hockey and baseball
Won Ontario baseball title with Peterborough in 1930. Played NHL hockey in the 1930s and 40s with Dit Clapper in Boston and New York.
84. John Gouett, hockey
John spearheaded oldtimer’s hockey in Peterborough, organizing the first Canadian tournament in city in 1975.
85. Gunner Whitehill, baseball
Top pitcher in Central Ontario League in 1948. Helped Peterborough to 1950 championship.
86. Rayma Dixon, running
Rayma has won 19 gold medals for running and established eight Canadian and two North American records.
87. Paul Wilson, rugby and squash
Six time Peterborough squash champion, competed provincial level. Ten years with Pagans rugby winning Ontario title in 1967. Athletic director at Trent University.
88. Bob Armstrong, hockey
Bob played 11 season with the Boston Bruins. Later, he became athletic director at Lakefield College School, coaching their hockey team to a number of titles.
89. Don Bye, lacrosse
Don sponsored Jr. B hockey in the city and later became a longtime sponsor of lacrosse including the entire minor lacrosse program.
90. Bill Bowers, slo-pitch
Bill spearheaded the introduction of slo-pitch to the city. He organized events and lead the fundraising for a slo-pitch complex at Fleming College named after him. 91. Astrid Verdun, running
Ontario champion 10 times, Canadian champ five times. In 1967 Ontario senior pentathlon champion. 92. Lefty Reid, bowling
Top bowler in city in 1950s. Be-
came curator of Hockey Hall of Fame, later helped set up Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame. 93. Andria Hunter, hockey Played minor in area, went on to play for U of New Hampshire and U of Toronto. Won four OWIAA titles and gold with Team Canada at worlds in 1992. 94. Gary and Peter Dalliday, media
The father-son team did radio broadcasts of Petes for 12 years. Gary also was a sportscaster on CHEX-TV and Peter does the morning show on Fresh 100.5 FM plus Petes and Lakers games on YourTV. 95. Sheldon Smith, motorcycle racing
Top racer in Canada between 1950 and 1968. Won national titles in 500 mile races for three years in the 1950s.
96. Steve Casey, hockey
Chair of the city’s largest hockey tournament, the Liftlock Atom Hockey Tournament for 25 years. Volunteered in bowling and golf events.
97. Rick Johnston, baseball
Played senior ball in city, Inter-county league from 1986
95. On Canada national team for six years, played in 1988 Olympics.
98. Mike Davies, media
Well-respected longtime reporter and sports director of The Examiner in spite of sight disability.
99. Louis Yeotes, sponsor
Very active sponsor of sports especially during the1930s. Later helped with fundraising for Memorial Centre.
100. Brian Condon, softball
Longtime pitcher in the men’s city league in the1980s and ’90s. Pitched for Oshawa in 1984 Canadian championships.
(Monday: The Top 50.)
Don Barrie is a retired teacher, former Buffalo Sabres scout and a member of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame. His column appears each Saturday in The Examiner.