Burlington has a long and notable sports history that includes many outstanding athletes, coaches, officials, media, and volunteers. The Burlington Sports Hall of Fame (BSHOF) is dedicated to identifying and honouring these individuals who have contributed to this rich tradition. Next Tuesday, May 31, the BSHOF will be installing five honourees at their 2022 induction ceremony at the Burlington Golf and Country Club.
The fifth and final inductee for the 2022 class of the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame is Bryce Leggatt.
It is with heavy hearts that the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame posthumously inducts Bryce Leggatt into the builder category. Not only did Bryce have an impact on Burlington sports, but he also brought honour to our city and demonstrated pride in Burlington through his exceptional leadership, commitment, and achievements.
The breadth of the impact of Bryce Leggatt on life in Burlington spans education, community service, athletics, and so much more. Bryce was a beloved principal at several Burlington high schools. He also showed a passion for service with the Rotary Club. He worked with Halton Adolescent Support Services and was co-founder of the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame.
A great athlete in his own right, Bryce was a OIAA All Star at McMaster in 1964 and was drafted into the CFL by the Ottawa Rough Riders. He turned to teaching and coaching and got involved in officiating. Maybe that noble profession showed the best version of Bryce Leggatt, as he was a member of both the Hamilton Board of Approved Basketball Officials and the Lakeshore Football Officials Association and attained a high level as referee in both basketball and football at the high school, amateur, and university level. He used every game to bring out the best in every player, to bring out the best in the game. He diffused many high-energy situations just with the way his classy approach made everyone else respect the process.
In education, Bryce used his position and personality to mentor hundreds of teachers and students to become the best version of themselves. Always seeing the strength and beauty of the Burlington community, Bryce’s colleagues at Rotary can attest to his passion for service. An advocate for the sporting history of Burlington, Bryce relished in the success of others and pride in Burlington. That passion helped create the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame.
Because of his passion for supporting others and commitment to community excellence, Bryce was honoured locally with the A.J. Dunn Sports Person of the Year Award in 2016, by the province of Ontario with the Award for Community Service in 2009 and was inducted by the OUA into the Kitch MacPherson OUA West Hall of Fame in 2005.
The greatest thing about Bryce Leggatt is that he made others feel good about themselves just because a person of such stature showed them respect and genuine pride. His strength was seeing the potential and talent in someone, tapping them on the shoulder to get involved, building coalitions that got things done, and then sitting back and letting others shine. His style of intense friendship and his classy demeanour should be a role model for any leader in any walk of life.
A class act who always represented our city with pride, the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame is honoured to induct Bryce Leggatt into its builder category.
