On May 30, 2023, the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame (BSHOF) will induct another stellar class, which includes Shelley Simonton Barnett, Marnix Heersink, Brady Heslip, and Kate Psota.
The evening will celebrate a landmark in the hall’s history: fifteen years of honouring Burlington’s finest in the categories of Athlete, Builder, and Sport Media.
And who are Burlington’s best? Check out the website to see the 64 inductees since the inception of the hall of fame in 2008, or better yet, drop by the BSHOF site at the Burlington Visitor’s Centre at 414 Locust Street, where you’ll see an interactive touch screen that displays pictures and biographies of all past inductees, as well as a display case that has a rotating collection of memorabilia.
The storied history of the BSHOF has its humble beginning with an idea conceived by a few local sports enthusiasts who recognized the need to celebrate the world-class accomplishments of the people of Burlington, both on and off their fields of play.
World class
The first group of inductees in 2008 included champion long-distance runner Gord Dickson, CFL Hall of Famer Tony Gabriel, world-record swimmer Angela Coughlin, football great, athlete, and coach Bernie Custis, along with M. M. Robinson, whose vision started the British Empire Games in 1930. If there was ever a need to recognize Burlington’s best, this inaugural event showed the way, and every year, for the past 15, the BSHOF selection committee has chosen a star-studded class.
Of course, anything of importance involves a group of citizens with a passion. The Hall was originally the idea of educators Bryce Leggatt and Mary Nichol. The other founding contributors were Steve and Marion Duffield, and Wayne Heslop. Bryce Leggatt was the chair from 2008–2014. The original committee organized the groundwork required to launch Burlington’s Sport Hall of Fame, along with contacting other local halls of fame to get ideas and develop protocol and a selection process. Current chairperson Lyn Patterson was elected in 2015.
The BSHOF is a community-based, grassroots organization. The protocol established calls for the formation of a selection and an executive committee. The nominations received each year are sent in by individuals in our community. Anyone can visit the website, http://www.burlingtonsportshalloffame.ca, to review the selection criteria and submit an application to nominate an Athlete or Builder of Sport they feel is worthy of Induction into the BSHOF.
All nominations are then presented to the selection committee, which is composed of five BSHOF executive members and six respected members of the community.
The Burlington Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the newest members at a formal Induction Reception at the Burlington Golf and Country Club. The Induction Reception is an evening to honour Burlington’s sport heritage. Numerous former inductees/alumni attend the event, making the evening a sporting reunion for so many, every May.
This year, the Don Green Award of Distinction will be awarded. This award is not presented every year. The 2023 recipient of the Don Green Award is the Nexxice Synchronized Skating Organization. The Nexxice Synchronized Skating Organization has won multiple Canadian and World Championships and the BSHOF is proud to present the organization with this prestigious honour.
The BSHOF Induction Reception is being held on May 30, 2023, at the Burlington Golf and Country Club. This year’s event will be emceed by Steve Foxcroft. Tickets are available for $60 per person. Hors d‘oeuvres are served throughout the evening and a cash bar is available. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the formal inductions beginning at 7:00 p.m. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets can email Wayne.Heslop@cogeco.ca or call 905-520-8922.
