https://www.cobourgblog.com/news-2019/cobourg-district-sports-hall-of-fame-first-inductees/
The startup of the Cobourg’s Sports Hall of Fame was held Sunday afternoon at the Cobourg Community Centre. Joel Scott was the MC but the spotlight was on the organizing board, the display cabinets and the first eight inductees. Ross Quigley introduced and spoke for the Board who presented certificates of appreciation to supporters and donors. One supporter was the Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame who had provided a lot of help and took the opportunity to present a cheque for $2000 – see the list of all major supporters below. When the Town of Cobourg was recognized, Mayor John Henderson acknowledged that Council support had happened when Gil Brocanier was Mayor so he shared the recognition. The first eight inductees were announced and then the display cabinets with donated memorabilia were unveiled.
Organizing board
The original members in 2016 were: Liz Basinger, Don Conway, John Hayden, Peter Harrison, Richard Irvine, Mike Irwin, John Ovens and Ross Quigley. John Hayden and Richard Irvine have since left and been replaced by Gil Brocanier and Jennifer Ashley (see photo below).
First Eight Inductees to the Cobourg and District Sports Hall of Fame.
(in alphabetical order except for #1)
- Layton Dodge
- Paul Currelly
- Fred Dufton
- Don Ito
- Marty Kernaghan
- Bill O’Neil
- Frank Mazza
- Steve Smith
Download short bios of all these here.
Nominations for next year’s inductees will be called for in the Fall – please send any names to any member of the board. Similarly if you wish to donate memorabilia, you should contact one of them.
Cobourg Sports Hall of Fame – Display Cabinet
After the inductees were named, the display cases with memorabilia were unveiled. These are in the hall of the Community Centre.
Major Supporters
- Rotary Club of Cobourg
- Peter Lorenz
- Stevenson Cartage
- Harry Cortesis
- Pro Electric
- Brian and Kim Read
- Horizon Plastics
- John and Darlene Lamers
- Frank Bouwman – Cabinet Maker
- Town of Cobourg
- Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame
Cobourg and District Sports Hall of Fame - Board
Previous Mayor Gil Brocanier with Mayor John Henderson
Unveiling the large Cabinets
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.
