Cobourg Dary Queen Juniors

John W. Hayden

Athlete, Teacher, Coach, Volunteer, Referee, Convenor, Executive Member … Visionary. John W. Hayden left a legacy to our local sporting community based on generosity, leadership, loyalty, and dedication. Born, raised, and devoted to all things Cobourg, John first made his mark on the local sporting scene as a standout Softball pitcher, leading from the mound as the Dairy Queen Juveniles and then Juniors captured back-to-back OASA Provincial Championships in 1970 and 1971, the first of which saw John named the Most Valuable Pitcher of the tournament, and the latter of which saw John toss a two-hit shutout in the championship game. After that, John enjoyed a long career in local education, focusing on special needs, and finding fulfillment and pride in the lives of his students. But, he didn’t leave sports behind. In addition to coaching numerous school team sports through his teaching career, John immersed himself in the local sporting scene. At various points in his life, John served as a Basketball referee, and a Baseball Umpire, but his true love could be found in coaching. Beginning in 1971, as a Peewee House League Hockey coach in the CCHL, he added another pair of OASA provincial softball championships in 1977 and 1978, as the coach of the Red Wing Squirts. In 1982, John turned his attention to the Cobourg Angels program, where as a coach he added two more Provincial Championships in 1984 and 1985 and served on the Association’s Board of Directors. Also in 1985, John began coaching with the Cobourg Minor Soccer Club and over the next eight years he also served stints as the group’s Vice President and President, playing a pivotal role in growing the sport locally. But if John did have a favourite sport, it was undoubtedly Basketball. John was part of the trio that founded the Lakeshore Minor Basketball Association (now the Northumberland Minor Basketball Association). His administrative talents, knowledge, and local contacts were invaluable in establishing the league but almost as important was his calm and steady manner, and his unwavering focus on player development and team unity over politics. John’s organizational skills were recognized in 2010 when he was named the Chairman of a Feasibility Study for the future Cobourg Community Centre and in 2017, when he was named as one of the original Board of Directors for the Cobourg and District Sports Hall of Fame.