Student, Athlete, Referee, Teacher, Coach, Instructor, Convenor, Scheduler, Co-Ordinator, Organizer, Volunteer, … Paul Allen has worn a lot of different hats in life, with most of them related to sport, which is ironic, considering that up until his Grade 10 year at CDCI West, Paul had never played a sport or been a member of any athletic team. Paul quickly discovered his sporting passion – Basketball. But by no means was basketball his only sport at the West, with him also excelling in Volleyball, Soccer, Cross-Country, Football, and most notably Track & Field, where he won 4 COSSA gold medals in the Triple Jump (along with a 2nd and a 4th place finish at OFSSA), and 3 COSSA gold medals in the Long Jump. After graduating high school, Paul then proceeded to continue his education – and his athletic career – at the University of Guelph, where in his final year, Paul helped the Gryphons to the Canadian University Basketball Championship. At the same time, Paul became a carded Volleyball referee, beginning an officiating career that would encompass many sports and over five decades. Upon graduation from Guelph, Paul returned to Cobourg and subsequently competed in numerous sports and leagues – Basketball, Soccer, Hockey, Slo-Pitch – winning many individual and team awards. In addition, Paul would also re-enter CDCI West, as a teacher, where he would spend the next 33 years, impacting the lives of countless students. Naturally Paul was heavily involved with the sporting aspect of the school, in particular the Senior Basketball team whom he helped coach to 3 COSSA championships. During those years Paul was instrumental in the growth of Basketball in the area, putting his time and efforts into the Lakeshore Adult Basketball League, the Lakeshore Lynx Rep Team, and the Lakeshore Minor Basketball Association. Since his retirement from teaching in 2010, Paul has turned his hand to volunteering on the local level, coordinating numerous events. In 2021, Paul Allen was the recipient of the Cobourg Civic Award for Sportsmanship, which is presented annually to a coach, official or sports organizer who has shown outstanding leadership in contribution to Cobourg’s sports and recreational community.
The Cobourg Galloping Ghosts are the most famous team in Cobourg sports history. Managed by Fred Dufton, the Ghosts won eight Ontario championships, five after World War II. They were Canadian Dominion champions in 1946, 1948 and 1950. They were the first team in Canada to wear aluminum cleats and the second to wear white uniforms.
