Cobourg | Cobourg and District Sports Hall Of Fame

Ann & Dick Raymond

Ann & Dick Raymond

Dick and Ann Raymond have devoted a considerable amount of their lives to fulfilling a single desire, to make their beloved Grafton a better place and as a result of their tireless work and organizational skill they have forever changed, and enhanced, their community. Dick Raymond’s lifetime of volunteerism can be traced back to 1962, when as a 19-year-old, and still not old enough to drive, he started coaching a team in the Cobourg Community Hockey League (CCHL). As a coach, Dick would lead three teams to provincial hockey championships, in addition to a Provincial Women’s Softball Association (PWSA) Bronze Medal with the Cobourg Bantam Angels in 1989. But it is as an organizer and administrator that Dick has had the largest impact. In addition, to a five-decade long tenure with Grafton Minor Hockey, which saw him at various times serve as the organization’s President, Vice-President, past President, coach, equipment manager, bingo organizer, fundraiser, etc.., Dick was one of the founders and lead organizer for the Grafton Fastball Tournament for its four-decade long existence, while also serving on the Grafton Arena recreation committee for forty years, thirty-five of which saw him operate the Grafton canteen. And then there was all the hours put in to construct the Grafton facility itself, 5 ball diamonds, all the backstops, the scoreboard, fencing the diamonds, the playground, score keepers’ benches, etc. all bear the handprint of Dick Raymond. But Dick was never alone in his efforts, in fact he represented one-half of a formidable team. Every step of the way, at every event, every fundraiser, was Dick’s wife Ann. A true team, Dick and Ann would not only work together, but complement each other, so while Dick was organizing, it was Ann placing the calls and answering the phone. Despite both holding full-time jobs, and raising a family, and despite being tired most nights, both Dick and Ann Raymond always found the energy and the time to give of themselves for the greater good of their community and the people of Grafton.

2022

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Ontario

Recreation

Hockey

Softball

Ball Tournament

Grafton

Team or Principal Name

Ann Raymond

Cobourg

Dick Raymond

Grafton Softball Tournament

Hamilton Township Softball League

Gail Johns-Rees

Gail Johns-Rees

Gail Johns was born in Cobourg on February 10, 1955. Upon her arrival at CDCI West in 1969 she was sought out by Jerry Lawless, whom having been made aware of her running exploits in elementary school, insisted that she attend the track and field training being held on the back lawn of the high school. It was as an encounter and an opportunity that changed the course of Gail’s life. Over the next five years, Gail, competing as a sprinter, would set records in the 200M and 400m races at Kawarthas and COSSA, in the 60M, 100M, 200M and 400M at South Kawarthas, and as a result became the first female athlete from Cobourg to ever qualify for OFSSA. In 1972 CDCI West dedicated the “Johns Trophy for Outstanding Track Performance” in recognition of her accomplishments. After high school Gail started distance running, competing in 5K’s and 10K’s, and running marathons in Toronto, Ottawa, Washington, and Boston. In 1994, Gail and her family moved to New Hampshire, and at the age of 47 she returned to sprinting with the Masters Track and Field program, which is devoted to adult runners divided into designated age categories. As the first female member of the Mass Velocity Track Club, Gail has been a nationally ranked masters sprinter for the past two decades, competing in 50M, 60M, 100M, 200M, and 400M races, earning 17 US National Masters Tracks medals, setting 13 New Hampshire state records, along with being recognized with the “Best Performance by a New Hampshire Athlete” five times. In 2006, at the USA Masters National Meet in Charlotte, North Carolina, Gail represented her home country, running a leg in the 4x100 relay, and helping Canada win a gold medal. A pioneer, a pacesetter, a record-breaker, a champion, and still competitively running, Gail Johns has enjoyed a life of excellence on the track.

2022

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Ontario

Running

Cobourg

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2008 Gail Johns-Rees Nike track spikes

Elaine Devlin

Elaine Devlin

Born in Indian River on July 27, 1964, Elaine Devlin resided in Cobourg, Colborne, and Grafton for a decade and has maintained her athletic connections to our community ever since. Before moving to our area Elaine had already established herself athletically as an all-star goalie and a member of numerous OWHA (Ontario Women’s Hockey Association) gold medal teams and as one of the best softball pitchers in the province winning ORSA (Ontario Rural Softball Association) Midget and Junior provincial titles in 1981, 1982 and 1983 with Douro and Keene; two OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) Silver Medal’s with Fleming College and numerous Peterborough Women’s City League titles. In 1985 she attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas on a scholarship where she played in the NCAA softball circuit. Still the holder of seven school records she was Gulf Star Conference Female Athlete of the Year; Most Outstanding Player and won a Conference Championship. Recruited to play for the Cobourg Angels, by Paul Currelly in 1984, over the next five years Elaine and her teammates medaled 9 times at the provincials, including three golds, a period of sustained excellence that was due in large part to Elaine’s pitching prowess, which didn’t go unrecognized by the opposition as she was recruited by other teams 3 different times to represent Ontario at the Canadian Championships. Since her time playing in Cobourg, Elaine has continued to contribute to the sport by coaching and attending pitching clinics during the off-season to help the next generation of hurlers hone their techniques. It would be hard to imagine an honour, accomplishment in Softball that has eluded Elaine. Beyond pitching a countless number of no-hitters and perfect games, Elaine Devlin has competed in a total of 34 Provincial championships (14 gold, 12 silver, 4 bronze), 17 Canadian championships (4 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze), and at least 5 World Championship/International competitions (1 gold, 1 bronze) and has coached at 20 Provincial championships (5 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze), 12 Canadian championships (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) and 3 World Championship/International competitions, winning gold each time.

2022

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Team or Principal Name

Cobourg

Cobourg Angels

Elaine Devlin

Sport Played That Connects To Collection List

1986 Elaine Devlin trophy -Gulf Star Conference Female Athlete of the Year

1987 Elaine Devlin PWSA Senior Tier 1 MVP Plaque

1995 Elaine Devlin PWSA Senior Tier 1 MVP Plaque

1985 Elaine Devlin Canada Games softball gold medal

1991 Elaine Devlin Senior National Fast Pitch Championship gold medal

1989 Elaine Devlin OWHA Sr C Provincial gold medal

1986 Rice Lake Rebels Team jacket worn by Elaine Devlin

1991 Elaine Devlin's National Senior Women's Fast Pitch Champions Jacket

Heather Brown

Heather Brown

Heather Brown, born on January 6, 1977, showed an avid interest in sports at a very young age. Starting with soccer at age six, she soon was also participating in t-ball (then softball), figure skating, and eventually hockey, all the while playing on teams with boys since there were no girls teams. But early on it became clear that soccer was her sport, as evidenced by being the only girl chosen for the Cobourg Soccer Club’s Select Team. Attending CDCI East, at one point she was on five different soccer teams (indoor, outdoor, high school, house league, and the provincial U16 team). In addition, while at the East she also participated in numerous other sports; basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, cross country, track & field and she excelled, competing in OFSSA in the javelin and in badminton and being the recipient of the school’s Junior Athlete of the Year twice and also a two-time winner of the school’s Athlete of the Year. Throughout her high school years Heather was also an integral part of first the U16 and then the U18 Women’s Provincial team, with whom she earned a silver medal at the 1994 Nationals and then a gold at the 1995 Nationals. After graduating from the East, Heather received a scholarship to the University of Nebraska where she played Division 1 varsity soccer from 1995 to 1999, while earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Regarded as one of the team’s most consistent and intelligent players, in her first three seasons as a Cornhusker, she started in 42 consecutive games, and was named Nebraska’s Co-Most Valuable Player in 1995, only to see her playing time limited due to a torn ACL in her right knee in 1998, an injury that was serious enough to eventually put an end to her elite soccer career. While at Nebraska, in the summer of 1996, and at the age of 19, Heather was chosen as part of the Canadian Women’s National team and was the youngest player on the squad that competed in the U.S. Cup. Also in 1996, Heather Brown once again represented her country, this time on the Canadian U20 National team, where she was named co-captain, an experience which she relished.

2022

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Soccer

Team or Principal Name

Cobourg

Heather Brown

Sport Played That Connects To Collection List

1998 Heather Brown in Nebraska Corn Huskers Media Guide

1995 Heather Brown Canadian National Champions team photo plaque

1996 Heather Brown Commemorative coin to Team Canada players

1996 Heather Brown World Cup Women's National Team Canada plaque

Softball-Margie Matthews

Softball-Margie Matthews

by Patsy (Currelly) Hand

Margaret Anne Matthews was born on May 15, 1960, in Cobourg. From a very young age, Margie was an abundantly talented, multi-sport athlete who consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership. Her enthusiasm was contagious.

While in high school at CDCI West, 1974-1979, she played each year on the basketball, volleyball and badminton teams. She was on the track team and participated in javelin, discus, shotput and the 4 x 100 relay teams. It was in javelin that she excelled. In 1978 she was voted MVP of the basketball team, the volleyball team, she received a coaching award and was the school’s Athlete of the Year.

She was also awarded Cobourg's Athlete of the Year that year. In 1979, CDCI West created the “Matthews Award" which was presented to students for performance and leadership. After high school she played varsity hockey and basketball. She has been awarded Athletic Letters at all levels of school: public, high school and university levels.

Margie burst onto the provincial softball stage at the age of 12 when she played for David and Clarke Sommerville’s Sinclair Mustangs. They were successful in capturing the Ontario Novice Championship in 1972. Here is how David recalls Margie’s contribution to the win in the qualifying tournament leading up to the finals….

At 14, Margie Matthews joined Paul Currelly’s Cobourg Angels Juvenile softball team and competed against players that were 18 and 19 years of age.
Margie’s talents continued to shine. While playing with the Angels, she won two more Ontario Titles at the Junior B level in 1975 and 1976. In 1977, Paul decided to start a Midget Cobourg Angel team and as Margie was still eligible to play at this level, he built the team around her.

She was the captain that year and won the batting championship. Her determination, positivity and talent motivated the team to achieve a higher standard of play. She continued to play with the Angels and won an Ontario title in 1979 (Juvenile). Comments from her coach, Paul Currelly follow:

Margie left Cobourg for university and played Senior Tier I fastball with the Kitchener Kieswetters. She returned to Cobourg in 1984(Senior Tier II) and helped the Cobourg Angels win another Ontario Title. In 1985 Margie started a full-time job in New Hamburg and again left the area and played Senior Tier I softball with Kitchener.

She won their outstanding player award that year. In 1986 she was picked up by an opposing team, the St. Clements Suns to attend Expo ’86, a mini world tournament in Vancouver. In 1989 her team, the St. Clements Suns won an Ontario Senior Tier I Championship and went to the Canadians, placing 4th.

Margie continues to be an amazing athlete as a golfer. She has won 18 Club Championships (Stratford (16) & Craigowan-Oxford (2)). She played for team Ontario in 2004 and won a Canadian interprovincial title.

She won an Ontario 4-ball Tournament with MaryAnn Hayward in 2007 and an Ontario mid-Am tournament in 2009 (73-75-69). In 2011 she made the Ontario senior team that won a Canadian interprovincial title. She had a Golf Ontario Mid-Am ranking of 4th and 5th in 2009-2011.

Margie has not only been an amazing athlete but she also has coached volleyball and badminton at the high school level, coached softball at the Midget level and was assistant coach to the 1990 Cobourg Angels Senior Tier I fastball team that won the Ontario title and then went to the Canadian championship and placed 4th. She was a Softball Canada clinic instructor and has refereed volleyball, basketball and umpired softball.

As an athlete Margie has had many accomplishments in multiple sports and continues to add to these accomplishments but it is her talent, her work ethic, her enthusiasm and her love for sports that raises her above her peers.

Biography

COBOURG DISTRICT COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE (CDCI) WEST HIGH SCHOOL - 1974-1979

1974 - 1979 Participated on basketball, volleyball, badminton, and track & field (javelin, discus, shotput and 4x100 relay) teams. (Lots of awards)

1975 - won midget javelin (92' 4") & discus(74') both South Kawartha records, Kawartha javelin (92'6") and placed 6th at C.O.S.S.A.

1978 - MVP basketball, MVP volleyball, Coaching Award, Athlete of the Year

1978 - Cobourg Athlete of the Year

1979 - Won Senior South Kawartha javelin (98'5"), won Kawartha Singles badminton

1977 - 1979 President co-ed Athlete Association

1979 - Awarded newly created 'Matthews Award' for Performance and Leadership (awarded annually until school closed)

1979 - awarded 'Citizenship Award' (Burnett - Drope)

Awarded public school, high school and university athletic letters

Refereed volleyball and basketball throughout high school

Umpired one summer, girls Cobourg softball

SOFTBALL/FASTBALL

1972 - Ontario Novice Champions 'Sinclair Mustangs'

1975 - Ontario Junior B Champions, 'Cobourg Angels'

1976 - Ontario Junior B Champions, 'Cobourg Angels' (team was voted Cobourg Athlete of the Year)

1979 - Ontario Juvenile A Champions, 'Cobourg Angels'

1984 - Ontario Sr Tier II Champions, 'Cobourg Angels'

1986 - St. Clements Suns picked Margie up to attend the Expo 86 'mini world fastball tournament', held in Vancouver, B.C. Teams participating were from Japan, China, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Chinese-Taipei and the host Vancouver team

1989 - Ontario Sr Tier I Champions, Cambridge/St. Clements Suns

1989 - National Sr Tier I Championships Cambridge/St. Clements Suns (finished 4th)

1990 - Ontario Sr Tier I Champions, Asst. Coach, 'Cobourg Angels'

1990 - National Sr Tier I Championships, Asst. Coach, 'Cobourg Angels' (finished 4th)

POST HIGH SCHOOL

1979 - 1980 Centennial College varsity College hockey- Co-MVP

1980 - 1981 Wilfrid Laurier University- varsity basketball team- Voted Rookie of the Year

1981 - 1982 Wilfrid Laurier University- varsity basketball team

1983 - 1989 competitive Senior womens hockey- Kitchener and St Clements

COACHING

1978 - Midget girls volleyball - CDCI West

1979 - Midget girls volleyball - CDCI West

1983 - Badminton - CDCI West

1983 - Stratford Midget girls softball team

1983 - Softball Canada - clinic instructor

1990 - Cobourg Angels, assistant coach, senior fastball team

GOLF - 1993-present

2004 - made Ontario women's amateur team by placing 4th at ON tourney
- team Ontario won Canadian inter-provincial title

2007 - won Ontario 4-ball tournament with MaryAnn Hayward

2009 - won Ontario Mid-Am title at Markland Woods (73-75-69)

2011 - made Ontario senior team by placing 3rd at ON tournament
- team Ontario won Canadian inter-provincial title
- placed 8th at Canadian tournament at Whitevale G.C.

2009 - 2011 Golf Ontario mid-am ranking 4th and 5th 2009-2011

Won 16 Stratford Club championships, 2 at Craigowan-Oxford

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1972 Marg Mathews & Sinclair Mustangs win Ontario Championship

1977 Marg Matthews places 2nd in javelin CDCI West event

1979 Marg Matthews softball game sheet vs Richmond Hill

1984 Marg Matthews Paul Currelly after winning Ontario title

2009 Marg Matthews wins Ontario Mid-Am Golf Championship

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Hockey-RBC Cup 2017-Nine Days in May

NINE DAYS IN MAY

May 13 to 21, 2017 - The RBC Cup: The “Canadian National Junior A Championships” played throughout the week of May 13 to 21 at Cobourg Community Centre.

The teams qualifying included the media darlings and favourites to win, “Brooks Bandits” from Alberta (West 1) featuring Cale Makar who was touted to go in the top ten in this year’s NHL draft. Also winning their way to the championships were the “Penticton Vees” of BC (West 2) who finished second to the Bandits; the OJHL’s Trenton Golden Hawks (Central) who defeated the Georgetown Raiders in the Dudley Hewitt Cup; the “Cobras de Terrebonne” from Quebec (East) and the host team Cobourg Cougars who were swept by Trenton back on April 6th.

The Cougars finished the preliminary round in first place by defeating Trenton 3-2 in OT; a 3-2 OT loss to Penticton and a 6-1win over Terrebonne; then defeated the Bandits 5-2 who choose to rest their top five players including their goaltender Mitch Benson and defenseman Cale Makar. In their semi-final game the Cougars defeated Penticton 3-1 to meet the Brooks Bandits in the championship final on May 21st with puck drop at 5:30 before a sold out house. The game, televised on TSN was everything it was expected to be with an exhilarating 3-2 overtime Cougar win when at 8:21 Nick Minerva one-timed it past goaltender Mitch Benson from the point on a pass from defenseman Matt Bumstead after Brenden Locke won the face-off in the offensive zone and Josh Maguire got the puck back to the blueline.

Jamie Huber opened the scoring for Cobourg in the first and Brooks’ Connor Jean tied it up. The score remained tied until deep into the third when Bandits captain Nick Prkusik scored a big go-ahead goal with 8:31 left to play. Brooks was closing in on an RBC Cup victory in the third period when Cobourg's Ryan Casselman arguably scored the most important goal in Cobourg Cougar history when he buried a rebound from a Brennan Roy shot with 1:07 to play in regulation time to tie the game sending it into OT. The CCC exploded!

The rest was history for the Cougars, who went on to win their first championship as a Junior A franchise—a national one at that, which was their first since capturing the 1974 Ontario Junior C title. Goaltender Stefano Durante earns the top goalie award and is the final MVP. Spencer Roberts was the leading scorer and top forward for the tournament. Nick Minerva’s stick and gloves are enshrined at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
(Written with notes from Jeff Gard)

A number of graduates from this team moved on to further their education through hockey. Goaltender, Stefano Durante is playing for American International College's Yellow Jackets. Brennan Roy, Jesse Baird, Spencer Roberts and Cobourg native, Josh Maguire were recruited to UOIT by former Cobourg Cougars coach, Curtis Hodgins. Brenden Locke committed to Cornell University and Quinn Syrdiuk to McGill University. Sam Dunn of Hamilton Township played for the QMJHL's Ramparts before joining St. Mary's University Huskies in Halifax and Nick Minerva committed to Aurora College in Chicago. Assistant Coach, Corey Beer is now the Head Coach of the Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.

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Cobourg

Hockey

Sport Team or Name This Story is about

Cobourg

Cobourg Cougars

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2017 RBC Cup Cobourg Cougars #4 Bumstead

2017 RBC Cup souvenir scarf

2017 program RBC Cup in Cobourg

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ROBERT CLARKE SOMMERVILLE

Robert Clarke Sommerville was born in Toronto, on December 5, 1930. Playing hockey in his early life, he worked his way up to the Junior A ranks, spending 4 years as a goaltender for the Galt Black Hawks. The following two years were spent in the American Hockey League, playing with Philadelphia and Washington.

In 1952, Clarke purchased a small retail business in Cobourg that evolved into Sommerville’s Sporting Goods. Upon arrival, he got involved in the local sports community. He played for the Intermediate hockey team, joined the golf club, pitched in the Town Softball League and joined the executive of the Cobourg Church Hockey League. Quietly, and with a small group of other local sportminded men, a lacrosse league for kids was formed, which operated out of Cobourg’s Memorial Arena. In the mid 1960’s, Clarke, Dick Robinson, Jeff Rolph and Layton Dodge were instrumental in starting and funding a local Junior “B” hockey team, the Cobourg Cougars. Clarke was a Cobourg Cougars’ lifetime executive member. He served in many roles with the team, including General Manager. Clarke was also involved with minor softball.

In 1972, Clarke and his son David coached their “Sinclair Mustangs” to an Ontario Softball Championship. The sporting goods store was a gathering spot for people to discuss current issues. Many important decisions about local sports were made around the store’s famous pop cooler. Clarke was proud and humbled to be involved in the successes of the Cobourg Cougars, the Cold Springs Cats and countless other local teams and organizations.

Throughout the decades, Sommerville’s Sporting Goods has been a staunch supporter of many sports and athletes in various ways behind the scenes. His support of athletes was truly profound.Clarke Sommerville was a good athlete but his true legacy is as a builder of sport. His contributions will have an everlasting impact on our community.

2020

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Clarke Sommerville

Cobourg

Cobourg Cougars

Cobourg Intermediates

Cobourg Legion Branch 133

Cobourg Men's Softball League

Cobourg Town League Softball

Sinclair Mustangs

Sport Played That Connects To Collection List

1963 Clarke Sommerville softball jacket

Clarke Sommerville photos at Legion Fields

1952 Clarke Sommerville photo as goalie in EHL

1952 Clarke Sommerville photo when EHL goalie

1997 Clarke Sommerville obituary tribute

Clarke Sommerville photos and JrA game ad

MARGARET ANNE MATTHEWS

She was very skilled, was the ultimate team leader, and always gave 100%. Margie burst onto the provincial softball stage at the age of 12 when she played for David and Clarke Sommerville’s “Sinclair Mustangs”. They captured the Ontario Novice Championship in 1972. At 14, Margie Matthews joined Paul Currelly’s Cobourg Angels softball Juvenile team and competed against players that were 18 and 19 years of age.

While playing with the Angels, she won 2 more Ontario titles at the Junior ‘B’ level in 1975 and 1976. Paul Currelly remarked that, “When you are talking about Margie, you are talking about one of the best juvenile ball players, anywhere. Her desire and hustle keep the entire team moving.” Margie Matthews won 7 Ontario Softball Championships in her career. While attending high school at CDCI West, from 1974-79, Margie was a multisport outstanding athlete. In 1978, she was voted Most Valuable Player of both the basketball and volleyball teams, received a coaching award and was selected as Cobourg District Collegiate Institute West’s Athlete of the Year.

Margie was also named Cobourg’s Athlete of the Year. In 1979, the West dedicated an award in recognition of her contributions - the “Matthews Award” for performance and leadership. Margie continues to display exceptional athletic skills as a golfer. In 2004 and 2011, she was a member of Team Ontario. Both teams went on to win the Canadian Inter-provincial Golf titles at their respective national golf championships. She has won 18 club championships, 16 championships at the Stratford Country Club and 2 titles at Woodstock's Craigowan Golf Club.

As a member of the Ontario Women’s Amateur golf team in 2004, Margie won the Canadian Championship. In 2009, she won the Golf Ontario Women’s Mid-Am title with scores of 73-75-69. Margaret Anne Matthews, one of Cobourg’s best-ever all-round athletes.

2020

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1975 CDCI West basketball

1975 Cobourg Angels team photo

1976 Cobourg Angels champion team photo

1979 Cobourg Angels Ontario champions

GORD BROOKS

Gord Brooks was born in Cobourg on September 11, 1950 and has the distinction of being Cobourg’s first National Hockey League player. He played his minor hockey with the Cobourg Church Hockey League and spent the 1967- 68 season with Cobourg’s Junior ‘B’ Cougars where he collected 21 goals, 26
assists and 44 minutes in penalties.

Gord played his major Junior ‘A’ years with the Hamilton Red Wings and the London Knights. At the end of the 1969-70 season, Gord Brooks was drafted 51st overall by the St. Louis Blues and spent his first professional season with their farm team, the Kansas City Blues.

From 1971 to 1975, Gordie played 70 National Hockey League games with both the St. Louis Blues and the Washington Capitals. From 1975 to 1980, he played in the North American Hockey League and the American Hockey League where he truly made a name for himself. He played for both the Philadelphia Firebirds and Syracuse Firebirds, averaging 93 points a season for a total of 464. In 1977, his team won the Lockhart Cup as American Hockey League champions.

In 1978, Gord won the John B. Sollenberger trophy as the American Hockey League’s scoring champion and was named to the League’s first All-star team. In 1980, he played part of a season in Klagenfurt, Austria until a knee injury forced him out.

The next year he joined the Saginaw Gears winning an international league championship. Two years after retiring as a pro, he came back to play Senior hockey for Brantford, winning an Allan Cup. Today, Gordie Brooks and his wife Beth live in London, Ontario, close to their children and grandchildren.

2020

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Cobourg

Hockey

Team or Principal Name

London Knights Junior A

NHL

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Gord Brooks pencil sharpener with Capitals crest

Gord Brooks lighter with Washington Capitals

Gord Brooks beer stein with Washington Capitals

Gord Brooks ball cap with Washington Capitals

1973 Gord Brooks 1st NHL goal Trophy

Gord Brooks beer coolie cover St Louis Blues

Gord Brooks St Louis lapel pin

School-CCI 2014-2020

Emerging in 2014 as the newly amalgamated public high school in Cobourg, Cobourg Collegiate Institute (CCI) has brought together the rich athletic histories of the former Cobourg District Collegiate Institute East and Cobourg District Collegiate Institute West schools. Moving from medium sized “AA” schools (between 500-900 students) to a larger AAA school (1150 students in 2020), C.C.I. offers its students an extensive selection of sports teams, with the continued pride and success that was enjoyed by the former East and West schools.

Since its inaugural year in September of 2014, C.C.I. sports teams have won many Kawartha (local) and COSSA (regional) championships. This has led to many trips to the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association (OFSAA) provincial championships with its sports teams, including Girls Hockey, Boys Hockey, Boys Volleyball, Girls Volleyball, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Wrestling, Cross Country, Badminton, Tennis, Track and Field, and Swimming.

A trip to CCI’s Dillon-Lawless Gym (named after renowned local high school physical education teachers Del Dillon and Jerry Lawless) will also allow you to see the growing number of team and individual OFSAA honours, including medal performances for finishing in the top 4 in the province.

As of the winter of 2020, OFSAA Honours include the Girls Hockey team with a 4th place finish, and the following individuals: Wrestlers-Amara Hill (4th place), and Jayden Sparks (3rd place), Track Athletes- Cameron Bruce (4th place, 300m Hurdles) and Kate Current (2nd place, 800m), and Swimmers- Lauren Burleigh (2x 1st place 50m Para Backstroke, and 1st place 100m Para backstroke), and Carlie Bilodeau (1st place, JR 50m Backstroke). Some of these athletes, and many others have enjoyed success at the college and university sports level following their years of competing for Cobourg Collegiate Institute.

In addition to an impressive C.C.I. OFSAA presence to date, they also consistently have demonstrated exceptional character through sport. Two teams were awarded with the OFSAA Sportsmanship Award during their OFSAA debuts – the varsity girls’ hockey team in 2016, in Stratford, and the senior boys’ soccer team in 2018, in Thunder Bay.

Beyond the successes of sports teams to date, dedicated coaches have planned a variety of trips to enrich the students’ experiences, and to provide lasting memories. One of the highlighted trips include rugby teams taking part in tournaments in New York City and New Brunswick (Rothesay Netherwood Private School in Rothesay, NB). As well, basketball teams have annually made trips to prestigious American Colleges and Universities to play games, tour the facilities and watch high-level teams train and compete. Recent trips have been to Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Washington D.C., Virginia, West Virginia and New Hampshire.

Building on the excellent athletic facilities on the C.D.C.I. East school site, one major facility upgrade enjoyed by C.C.I. students was the installation of a 6-lane rubberized track. This has attracted athletes and visitors, including the likes of Canadian Olympic medalist Andre De Grasse, for a training session before his trip to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Highlights on our track to date include running our school’s annual Relay for Life event, and a Board-Wide “Inclusive Track and Field Day”.

The Inclusive track and field day is open to all Learning and Life Skills high school students around the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, and includes running, wheel-chair and field events, along with a barbeque lunch. We are also happy to be able to accommodate local and regional elementary schools, housing our future C.C.I. athletes, who need a venue to run their annual track and field meets.

C.C.I has also been a support to many community members and visiting schools looking to access our gym facilities. This has included a close relationship with the Lakeshore Minor Basketball Association, who has been a partner in helping us to invest in new glass backboards, adjustable nets and a padded score table. The local Badminton Club, along with the Northumberland Sports Council, used our gym for the Ontario 55+ Winter Games in 2017, which was a unique opportunity to open our school to athletes from all age groups. Our gyms are rented most nights, and weekends, throughout the year to service local sports clubs for training and competition, including volleyball, badminton, basketball, soccer, rugby, softball, baseball, lacrosse, rowing and more.

As Cobourg Collegiate Institute continues to grow its history, they are proud to be an important and vital part of the Cobourg community.

Updated August 2020

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