Cobourg Juveniles Fastball

Ken “Nipper” Stevenson

Born in Cobourg on May 11^th, 1957, Ken Stevenson’s small stature has always been offset by a strong desire and drive to succeed, whether it be on a ball field, a hockey rink, or putting in the countless hours in the gym to become an elite level bodybuilder. “Nipper” first made his mark locally on the golf course in 1974 when he won the Dalewood Golf and Country Club’s Junior Championship. The very next year he was a part of the Sommerville’s Juvenile Fastball team that captured the Provincial Championship. Two years later he added another Provincial Championship to his sporting resume with the Grafton Junior Fastball team. In the fall of 1976, Ken joined the Cobourg Cougars and had what could only be termed as a “dream” season for the local hockey outfit. Scoring 40 goals as a rookie, in the 1976-77 season, Ken would not only claim the team’s Rookie-of-the-Year honors but would also be voted as the team’s most popular player, a tribute to his goal-scoring prowess and his hard work on the ice, which was evident to all those who saw him play. Unquestionably, the highlight of the year for Ken would come on the night of January 21^st in Frankford, when Ken tied a team record with six goals in a game and also added an assist. Later that year, Ken was rewarded for his achievements by being named as Cobourg’s Male Athlete of the Year. In 1991 Ken retuned to the local hockey scene as the head coach of the Cobourg Jr. Cougars Rep Novice team. Over the next eight years he would also do the same for the Rep Atom, Peewee, and Bantam teams. At the same time, Ken began the process of re-entering Athletic competition, this time in competitive bodybuilding. In 1999, he won the Men’s Master’s 40+ Division, and claimed the title of Mr. Ottawa. The very next year he placed third in the same competition. In 2005, Ken also placed third in the Men’s Master’s 40+ Fame Championships, only to follow that up with three straight first place finishes in that same competition in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Two years later, Ken would compete in the Men’s Master’s 40+ UFE Championship, again claiming first place, in all claiming four finishes at the top of the podium in 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2018; with a second-place finish in 2016. 

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. 

William (Bill) J. O’Neil was born in Oldcastle, Ontario, on December 28, 1924. As a youngster, Bill had a great love of sports and played both baseball and softball. He coached youth baseball for a number of years in the village of MacGregor, not far from his hometown. Bill started work with General Foods in Windsor, Ontario, at the age of 18. In 1963, he moved with the company to Cobourg, where he went on to make a significant impact in the athletic community. Bill coached the local General Foods sponsored team in the Cobourg Men’s Softball League from 1963 to 1970.

He coached Juvenile and Junior Ontario Amateur Softball Association (OASA) teams that also played in the Cobourg Men’s Softball League from 1971 to 1990. He was the coach of four OASA Juvenile “B” championship teams during the 1970’s. Over the years, Bill O’Neil received numerous honours and awards for his outstanding dedication to sports in the Town of Cobourg. In 1976, Bill was named Cobourg’s Sportsman of the Year. In 2002, he was saluted for serving 40 years as Treasurer and a volunteer with the Cobourg Men’s Softball League.

On November 17, 2004, the main building at Legion Fields was named “The Bill O’Neil Pavilion”. The Ontario Amateur Association recognized Bill by presenting him with the F.R. (Frank) Feaver trophy as Ontario’s “Mr. Softball”. During his coaching career, Bill was always the cool, calm and collected field manager. Over the years, he never abused an umpire or a player but would discuss and reason a solution to its conclusion. He respected the game and all those involved. Bill O’Neil was a unique individual.

He gave back far more to the sporting community than he ever took and was a true gentleman. Bill O’Neil was a great role model and an incredible asset to Cobourg and District’s athletic community.