2024

Growing up in Colborne, Kristen Fawcett came from a sporting family. A provincial “Wintario Grant” awarded to the town of Colborne in 1974 resulted in track and field equipment being available at Colborne Public School. It was a time when interest in the upcoming 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics was very high. This infusion of equipment had an immediate impact on Kristen’s athletic trajectory, and she enjoyed particular success throwing the discus in high school at ENSS. Continuing her studies at York University Kristen made both the varsity volleyball team and the track and field team. In volleyball she was part of 3 OWIAA (OUAA) Championship teams and 2 CIAU (USport) bronze medal winners. 

Upon graduating, she had the opportunity to be a pioneer in two sports. A coach at York saw Kristen throwing discus for fun and asked her to join a group learning to throw the hammer. Kristen would become one of the first women in Canada to train and compete in the hammer throw. She captured the Ontario championship in 1990, represented Canada at the Harry Jerome Track Classic in 1991, and competed at other international events - events progressive enough to include new events for women. In addition to competing, Kristen spent a great deal of time training, teaching full time and writing letters to federal politicians in order to get parity and equality for women in track and field events. After much lobbying and convincing, Hammer Throw officially became a new track and field event for women along with pole vault and triple jump – nationally recognized in 1990 and internationally recognized as Olympic events in 2000. 

Thanks in large part to Kristen’s advocacy, Canada emerged as a leader in officially recognizing new events in track and field for women and was one of the first countries to stage these events at our national championships. Kristen was also a trailblazer in women’s rugby. After playing for the Ajax Wanderers she played second row for the very first Ontario Women’s Rugby team. In its second year of existence, her Ontario Team won bronze at the Canadian Championships. Today women's rugby flourishes across Ontario and the Canadian International Women’s Team is among the top teams in world competition. 

Like many youngsters of his generation that grew up in Cobourg and the surrounding area, sports formed an important part of Jim Bradford’s childhood. And like many he didn’t limit his activities to one sport as he participated and excelled in Softball, Baseball, Hockey, Skiing, Football, Volleyball, Cross-Country Running and Basketball. Amongst his playing accomplishments on the diamond, Jim was a valued member of the 1962 Legion Bantam Ontario Championship Softball Team, the Winchester Western Jr. Provincial Championship Team’s in 1963 and 1964, and the Cold Springs Cats All-Ontario Championship squad in 1975 and 1976. 

It was thanks to the inspiration (and a drive to a Basketball officiating clinic) from Jerry Lawless, the Physical Education Head at the Cobourg West Collegiate, that Jim took an alternate path. Not only would he officiate the sport for many years, but would help found the South Kawartha Basketball Association. It was on the diamond where Jim achieved his greatest success as an umpire. In 1968, Jim began his umpiring career, mainly working local games and tournaments. Over the next three-plus decades, Jim would earn a reputation as the top umpire in our area and without question, the most accredited. 

Jim would work the Pan Am Games in Indianapolis, the Canada Senior Men’s Fast Pitch Championships in Fredericton, New Brunswick, the National Midget Boys Fastball Championships in Napanee; the Women’s World’s in Newfoundland, and numerous provincial championships, while also acting as an umpiring supervisor in various national competitions. Jim founded the South-Central Umpires Association and served for many years as the Vice-President of the Cobourg Men’s Softball League. Over his career Jim convened countless umpiring clinics, sharing his wisdom and experience with the next generation of arbiters. 

In 2000, Jim became the first-ever umpire in Canada to receive his Level 5 status in both softball disciplines: Fast-Pitch and Slow-Pitch. Three years later, Jim was elected into the Canadian Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame as well as into the Softball Ontario Hall of Fame.

With the notable exception of a three-year stint in the Air Force during World War II, Jack Bevan spent his entire life in Cobourg. As a youngster, Jack (born September 11, 1924) played some hockey, was an avid bowler, and during his high school years he excelled at basketball. Above all Jack’s passion was softball, where he starred as a catcher, first on local pick-up teams, and later in organized leagues. Throughout his life, Jack was a familiar, smiling, and constant presence in our town’s ballparks. 

One of the founders of the Cobourg Legion Softball League in 1958, Jack was involved in all aspects of the organization for many years that followed, whether it was coaching, umpiring, being in charge of the equipment, serving on the local executive, or being a member of the OASA executive board. In recognition of his length of service Jack was made a Life Member of Legion Minor Sports. Along with John Ryan, Jack coached the Legion Peewee Baseball team to Cobourg’s first Ontario Championship in 1960 and 1961. Two years later he was part of the group that helped found the Cobourg District Girls Softball League. 

He would spend the better part of two decades coaching girls’ softball teams. He also went on to coach Men’s softball and had his last-at-bat, a single, at the age of 60 for Burnett’s in the Cobourg Industrial Softball League. Jack passed away in 1993. The following year saw the opening of the Legion Fields facility on D’Arcy Street. A world-class Softball facility made up of three diamonds, the middle one was officially christened “The Jack Bevan Diamond” … a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to our community and one who spent most every summer night of his life at a diamond in his beloved hometown.