Cobourg

For over forty years Clarke Harnden was a mainstay of the Cobourg Community Hockey League!

A volunteer, a member of the executive, a tournament organizer, but to all of those who were lucky enough to know him he will always be remembered first and foremost as a coach. Clarke gave his time, his knowledge, and more often than not his patience, in teaching prospective young hockey players the fundamentals of the game. But perhaps more importantly, Clarke also passed along his passion and pure joy for the game to generations of young boys and girls in our community.

In addition to his time on the rink, Clarke also leant his coaching expertise in the summer on the diamond, coaching teams to the Tyke EOBA championship in 1970 and 1987. As a player he was a long-time fixture in the Cobourg Town League, winning a number of league batting championships as well as playing on the 1949 Dunham Aces championship team and as a member of the 1953 OASA Intermediate B Eastern Ontario Softball championship team. In 2000, Clarke began coaching in Baltimore with a dream to keep coaching until he coached his great-grandchildren … a dream that he fulfilled.

One of those countless youngsters who learned the game from Clarke was future three-time Stanley Cup Champion and longtime NHL coach Steve Smith; “Clarke truly made you feel better about yourself every time he crossed your path. I wish more people got to see just how special he was … he was the Pied Piper when he opened the doors to the old Cobourg Arena. I treasure my memories of his charismatic smile and inviting spirit that only a lifelong coach could give. His kindness, generosity, and selflessness were second to none. All these years later, I still try to emulate his patience, wisdom and knowledge with the players I am lucky enough to coach – passing on the true gift that he gave to everyone he met”.

In 1965, Faye Gaudet began her sporting career as the bat girl with the Coverdale Aces. The following year she began playing Fastball and has continued to be on the diamond ever since in both a player and coaching capacity.

Faye was a member of the Provincial Championship Bantam B Fastball team in 1970 and in 1975 and 1976. Faye played on the Cobourg Angels Junior B Ontario Championship Team. Running concurrently, Faye began her own Fastball coaching career, winning a Bantam B Ontario Championship in 1977, leading the same team to the Silver Medalists of the Bantam A division in 1978 and then back-to-back provincial finalists in 1979 and 1980 in the Midget division.

At the rink, Faye began playing organized hockey on a Cobourg Women's team at the age of 14. Faye joined the Rice Lake Rebels the following year and played with them until heading to Centennial College to play for the Colts. After 2 years with Centennial Faye played 4 years with Brampton Canadettes Senior team. Prior to leaving for College Faye helped to establish the first Cobourg girls hockey league, which eventually led to her coaching an all-girls team sponsored by St. Michael's Church and christened “The Flying Nuns”. Faye also served as a member of the CCHL executive for years.

Faye began refereeing in the OMHA and the OWHA while umpiring in the summer with Softball Ontario. In the late 1980's, Faye was part of the organizing committee for the Cobourg Jr. Angels. Faye continued to coach a Jr. Angels team. In 2000 Faye again coached a Jr. Angels team to the Bantam Tier II PWSA Ontario Championship.

Those years also saw Faye coach boys teams for the Cobourg Legion. Faye has served on the executive board of both Cobourg Legion Minor Softball and Cobourg Baseball Association at the same time coaching her two sons in baseball and hockey. Faye returned to the Cobourg Junior organization to coach in 2003 and has been with the organization ever since in both a coaching and executive capacity. In 2017 her Novice team won the Eastern Canadian Fastball Championship. Faye also volunteered her time coaching Basketball teams in the Cobourg Youth Basketball League from 2004 to 2007.

Jeremiah Brown was at a crossroads in his life. As a teenager in Cobourg, Jeremiah participated in a variety of sports, most notably with the Midget A team that won an Ontario Hockey Federation championship in 2001-02. A Football walk-on at McMaster University, Jeremiah would make the varsity team and become a two-year starter at Offensive Tackle, along the way being recognized as the team's Most Improved Offensive Player.

After graduating Jeremiah was searching for a new athletic challenge – and he found it in rowing. Inspired by watching the Canadian Men's Eight Rowing Team win the Gold Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Jeremiah made a vow to be a part of the same team and win the Gold at the 2012 London Olympics, a mere four years away.

A novice rower, Jeremiah and his family moved to Victoria, B.C, site of the National Rowing Team's training facilities. Upon arriving, he met Doug White, who agreed to coach him. Commencing a learn-to-row program, Jeremiah would quickly put in 1700 hours of training, and by the fall of 2009, he was representing British Columbia in the National Championships. In 2010, he captured a silver medal at the National Championships in the single sculls, and in January 2011 he was named to the national rowing team. Later that year he would claim a bronze medal at the World Championships as part of the Men's Eight. In 2012, Jeremiah would gain another bronze medal at the World Cup in Men's Eights, where in an earlier heat, his team would set a “World's Best Time” that would stand for the next eight years.

Just three weeks before the London Olympics were set to begin, Jeremiah would be named to the Canadian Men's Eights team, where he would fulfill his dream, standing on the podium after Canada won the 2012 Olympic Silver Medal. Jeremiah transitioned again shortly afterward, leaving rowing behind, throwing himself into another passion of his; music. He has also penned a best-selling memoir “The 4 Year Olympian”, and become an in-demand motivational speaker.

Many athletes can point to a great game, some to an exceptional season, and a precious few to a great career; but not many athletes can match the longevity of Don Ball Sr. … Football, Hockey, Fastball, Basketball … Don Ball Sr. played them all, at an extremely high level, and won countless championships along the way.

The Left End on the legendary Cobourg Galloping Ghosts Football Team that won the Canadian Intermediate “A” Championship in 1948, Don also was the guard on the Cobourg High School Basketball team that won the Queens University High School Invitational in 1946 and 1947. It was at the hockey rink and on the ball diamond that Don made his most lasting impact. A forward, Don enjoyed a 24-year career on the ice, mostly spent in the Cobourg Mercantile League. Don was renowned for his agelessness and his sportsmanship.

In recognition, the Cobourg Mercantile League annually presented the Don Ball Trophy to the least penalized team in the circuit and in 1971, Don was awarded the Percy Baker Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and ability. On the diamond, Don spent an incredible 37 years as a player, predominantly in the Hamilton Township and Cobourg Mercantile Fastball Leagues. Lovingly referred to as “The Grand Old Man” and “Softball's Gordie Howe”, Don was also the last of the conventional underhanded pitchers in the area, a style of delivery that often befuddled opposing batters.

Approaching 50-years-old, Don was still able to routinely throw perfect innings, while also pacing his team, the Baltimore Merchants, at the plate; an achievement not lost on Layton Dodge. “Just when it seems the sports world is peopled exclusively with cynics and complacent athletes for whom such words as “loyalty” and “the love of the game” are alien, along comes a remarkable individual like Don Ball to restore faith in humanity. That there are such gentlemen on our playing fields is comfort enough; that Don Ball should be still there at age 49 when he should be reaching for the pipe and slippers instead of a Louisville Slugger or a Cooper glove is an unexpected bonus.”

Gail Johns-Rees

Gail Johns was born in Cobourg on February 10, 1955. Upon her arrival at CDCI West in 1969 she was sought out by Jerry Lawless, whom having been made aware of her running exploits in elementary school, insisted that she attend the track and field training being held on the back lawn of the high school. It was as an encounter and an opportunity that changed the course of Gail’s life.  Over the next five years, Gail, competing as a sprinter, would set records in the 200M and 400m races at Kawarthas and COSSA, in the 60M, 100M, 200M and 400M at South Kawarthas, and as a result became the first female athlete from Cobourg to ever qualify for OFSSA. In 1972 CDCI West dedicated the “Johns Trophy for Outstanding Track Performance” in recognition of her accomplishments. After high school Gail started distance running, competing in 5K’s and 10K’s, and running marathons in Toronto, Ottawa, Washington, and Boston. In 1994, Gail and her family moved to New Hampshire, and at the age of 47 she returned to sprinting with the Masters Track and Field program, which is devoted to adult runners divided into designated age categories. As the first female member of the Mass Velocity Track Club, Gail has been a nationally ranked masters sprinter for the past two decades, competing in 50M, 60M, 100M, 200M, and 400M races, earning 17 US National Masters Tracks medals, setting 13 New Hampshire state records, along with being recognized with the “Best Performance by a New Hampshire Athlete” five times. In 2006, at the USA Masters National Meet in Charlotte, North Carolina, Gail represented her home country, running a leg in the 4x100 relay, and helping Canada win a gold medal. A pioneer, a pacesetter, a record-breaker, a champion, and still competitively running, Gail Johns has enjoyed a life of excellence on the track.

Elaine Devlin

Born in Indian River on July 27, 1964, Elaine Devlin resided in Cobourg, Colborne, and Grafton for a decade and has maintained her athletic connections to our community ever since. Before moving to our area Elaine had already established herself athletically as an all-star goalie and a member of numerous OWHA (Ontario Women’s Hockey Association) gold medal teams and as one of the best softball pitchers in the province winning ORSA (Ontario Rural Softball Association) Midget and Junior provincial titles in 1981, 1982 and 1983 with Douro and Keene; two OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) Silver Medal’s with Fleming College and numerous Peterborough Women’s City League titles. In 1985 she attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas on a scholarship where she played in the NCAA softball circuit. Still the holder of seven school records she was Gulf Star Conference Female Athlete of the Year; Most Outstanding Player and won a Conference Championship. Recruited to play for the Cobourg Angels, by Paul Currelly in 1984, over the next five years Elaine and her teammates medaled 9 times at the provincials, including three golds, a period of sustained excellence that was due in large part to Elaine’s pitching prowess, which didn’t go unrecognized by the opposition as she was recruited by other teams 3 different times to represent Ontario at the Canadian Championships. Since her time playing in Cobourg, Elaine has continued to contribute to the sport by coaching and attending pitching clinics during the off-season to help the next generation of hurlers hone their techniques. It would be hard to imagine an honour, accomplishment in Softball that has eluded Elaine. Beyond pitching a countless number of no-hitters and perfect games, Elaine Devlin has competed in a total of 34 Provincial championships (14 gold, 12 silver, 4 bronze), 17 Canadian championships (4 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze), and at least 5 World Championship/International competitions (1 gold, 1 bronze) and has coached at 20 Provincial championships (5 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze), 12 Canadian championships (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) and 3 World Championship/International competitions, winning gold each time.

Roger Cole

Referred to by no less an authority than Layton Dodge as “the finest softball pitcher between Oshawa and Kingston”, Roger Cole’s quarter-century career was marked by continued excellence, countless awards, and a right arm that never seemed to grow tired. Born in Cobourg on July 27, 1954, Roger Cole’s pitching career began in the Plainville Township League in 1965. Over the course of the next four-plus decades an almost uncountable number of accolades and awards came his way including 15 OASA medals (including 9 Golds), 2 Perfect Games, at least 10 (maybe 12) No-Hitters, multiple MVP and Top Pitcher awards in both the Cobourg Men’s Softball League and the Hamilton Township Men’s Softball League, and countless league, Provincial, Canadian, and World Championships, mostly with the Cold Springs Cats. In 2003, Roger was given the Milestone Award, after recording a total of 2059 career strikeouts in the Cobourg Men’s Softball League, a testimony to his talent and his stamina. But that only tells part of the story. Simply put, to see Roger Cole pitch was an “event” - one that drew both admirers and the curious from far around just to see him throw, and to bear witness to a continuous parade of overmatched hitters try to make contact, and at times a befuddled catcher attempt to catch, Roger’s famed “drop ball”. But beyond his own personal and team accomplishments Roger was a strong believer in the Cobourg Men’s Softball League, often taking younger players onto his team, encouraging them, and giving them a place to play when other teams wouldn’t. Those teams were often more concerned with winning that season’s league championship, whereas Roger was more concerned with the long-term health of the league itself, even if it came at his team’s own expense. This nurturing of younger players, and personal sacrifice for the league was recognized in 2006 when Roger Cole was the recipient of the Dedication Award by the Cobourg Men’s Softball League.

Al Burnham

Born on August 31, 1952 in Cobourg and raised on the Burnham Family Farm, like many children of the time, Al Burnham was first introduced to bat and ball in elementary school during the recesses and lunch hour that helped break up the day. Coincidentally, the Cobourg Legion Minor Softball Association was formed in the late 1950’s, and Al was part of that first group of youngsters who signed up. And thus began a two decade long playing career that saw Al Burnham become one of the top Fastball players; in the area, in the province, in Canada, and ultimately, in the world. A member of the Cobourg Juveniles that captured the Ontario “B” Championship in 1971, Al, now playing with the legendary Cold Springs Cats, would be part of three more provincial championship teams, OASA Intermediate C titles in 1975 and 1976, and in 1980 an Ontario Senior A fastball championship. Thanks to his proficiency at the plate Al quickly gained a reputation from teammate and opponent alike as a clutch hitter, and when combined with his understated demeanor, he was christened with the nickname “The Iceman”. From 1984 to 1992, Al Burnham was an integral part of five more Senior “A” Ontario championship teams, 4 Canadian Senior A championship teams, and in 1987 and 1988 he was named to the All-World second team both years at the International Softball Congress championship. At the 1991 ISC championship, held in Sioux City, Iowa, and playing for Owen Sound, the World Championship runner-up, Al Burnham was named All-World first team … the culmination of a lifetime spent on the diamond all the way from Cobourg to the World Championship.

Ross Quigley

No one ever loved Cobourg – it’s people, its history, and the community itself – more than Ross Quigley. A lifelong Cobourg resident, born in 1944, Ross quickly developed the passions that would stay with him throughout his life, first as a player and soon branching out to coaching and refereeing. Concurrently, Ross also began a life a giving back to his beloved hometown, starting in his teenage days while working at Sommerville’s Sporting Goods when on Christmas Eve he would dress up as Santa Claus and personally give out gifts to children … to his later tenure as the President of Legion Softball, as well as his organizing the annual All-Summer Sports Parade, a summertime affair which at one time spotlighted each of the local softball/baseball/soccer teams. Ross also was long involved with many local organizations where he helped to push through countless enhancements to our town’s community. Starting with a desire to preserve the sporting history of the town, Ross began the process of what would eventually lead to the establishment of the Cobourg and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. While not the sole person involved, Ross was the driving force behind the idea, the creation, and finally, the establishment of the Hall, behind the scenes and also as both the public face and most enthusiastic supporter. And it is through these efforts that Ross has made an invaluable historical contribution to our town by bringing the sporting history of Cobourg out of the past and preserving it for future generations, through his discovery of long lost sporting events, or in gathering artifacts, to most notably shining a renewed spotlight on the builders and the athletes who through the passage of time slowly receded from active memory only to have Ross, through his tireless work and commitment, bring them back to the prominence and the local understanding that they so richly deserve. In 2021, Ross Quigley was recognized at the annual Cobourg Civic Awards ceremony as the recipient of The Angus and Bernice Read Volunteer Award, which is given to an individual whose volunteerism, leadership, commitment and actions have improved the quality of life for a large spectrum of the population in Cobourg.

Paul Allen

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 2^nd and a 4^th 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.