Played with passion
MacDonald, Johnston Moore join UPEI Sports Hall of Fame.
Jennifer Johnston Moore didn’t hesitate when asked a memory that stands out during her five- year basketball career at UPEI.
The Cardigan native said winning the 1997- 98 AUAA, which later became the Atlantic University Sport, championship game on home court.
“It was pretty special,” she recalled Thursday night before being inducted into the university’s Sports Hall of Fame.
But the first play of the game was a tough one for the fourth- year post.
“I hit a layup and it hit off the backboard so hard it almost went back to half,” she said.
“I was like, ‘ uh- oh, this is not good.’ . . .
“I got the nerves out on that shot and then I was ready to go.”
It turned out perfectly from there as the Panthers claimed an Atlantic championship.
Johnston Moore said she was fortunate to have her teammates to turn to after missing that shot. Those teammates were just as pleased to have No. 7 wearing their colours for five seasons.
“She dominated the game, draining threes from well outside and pushing every player to their max,” said Trish Atkins Walsh. “Her commitment and dedication was contagious.”
Johnston Moore and Hubert ( Sockey) MacDonald were inductees into the university’s shrine at this year’s sport legacy dinner.
MacDonald, from a sporting family, was a standout on the gridiron.
While he started as a slotback it was as a defensive back where he rose to prominence, routinely shutting down the opposing team’s top player.
“He made an impact the first time he stepped on the football field,” said teammate Mike Lyriotokis, one of the two other football players in the hall. “He was fearless, he had great heart and he was also a great team player.”
MacDonald said he is proud to say his family members have earned 15 degrees from the university.
“UPEI has been very good to me and I am honoured they selected me to join their Hall of Fame.”
MacDonald said one common element from his playing days 35 years ago to today is the dedicated group of coaches patrolling the Panthers sidelines.
“What commitment and what passion,” he said after rhyming off the Panthers current coaching roster.
“Sometimes the lack of dollars for recruitment gives us an opportunity, as an athlete, to grow. In our case, it gave us a chance to play and make mistakes.”
Both inductees said they were fortunate to play with great teammates, for great coaches and have very supportive families. Many of those people were there to share in the special evening.
Today, Johnston Moore lives in Philadelphia where she coaches her son’s Tball team and plays tennis, which she took up two years ago.
MacDonald is a fan of various sports and attends numerous Holland College football and UPEI hockey games.
They had a similar message to the student- athletes being honoured Thursday.
Both said the university days go by quickly, so take in as much as you can and enjoy the journey.
“When you finish you just seem like you know what you’re doing and you’d like to have another few years to play,” MacDonald said.