Chris Crooks
In Grade 7, Chris started wrestling and this would have a profound effect on his future life and on the lives of countless others. On the University of Guelph Wrestling team, he was a 4-time All-Canadian, a 2-time CIAU gold medalist in 1983 and 1985, a 2-time CIAU silver medalist in 1982 and 1984, and a CIAU bronze medalist in 1981. He was named team MIP in 1980-81 and team MVP in 1984-85. As a graduating athlete, he was also named the W.F Mitchell Sportsman of the Year in 1984-85. He also helped lead Guelph to 3 consecutive national team titles in 1981, 1982 & 1983, and won the 1981 Canadian Junior Championship where he was MVP. He earned a bronze medal at the Junior Pan American Championships in 1981. Chris won the 1984 Ithaca New York Invitation and was MVP and won the prestigious 1985 Michigan Open. At the Senior Canadian Wrestling Championships in 1987 Chris placed 4th. In recognition of all his accomplishments in 2007, Chris was inducted into the University of Guelph Sports Hall of Fame. Upon graduating in 1985 he was an Assistant Coach at the University of Guelph and Mount Allison University. Chris began his teaching career in Ajax in 1987 where he coached wrestling, both at school and for the Durham Region Wrestling Club (currently known as “Team Impact”). Chris moved to Northumberland County in 1990 and taught and coached for the next 25 years. While teaching at CDCI West and East Chris coached cross country, wrestling, rugby and track & field where he had numerous students qualify for OFSSA. As a coach at the Kawartha Wrestling Club Chris coached several provincial champions and national medalists. Chris has always been more than a coach mentoring youth and encouraging them to do their best in school and life. Chris “retired” in 2015, and took a teaching job in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. There he started the Cambridge Bay Wrestling Club, a program that used wrestling as a vehicle for growth and social development. The program involved Inuit youth who had experienced trauma through various incidents, including suicide. The goal of the program is to develop discipline, resilience, leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship & improve mental health. The wrestling program produced Nunavut’s first gold medalist at the 2022 Canada Summer Games. Chris is presently President of Wrestling Nunavut and the Cambridge Bay Wrestling Club.