Before they could be listed, chairman Ken Langille paid a tribute at a ceremony in Westville on Saturday to a New Glasgow boxer and community figure, who received his induction in 1990 and whose life ended in March at the age of 89.
“An honest man – he was one I could depend on to be at the meeting,” Langille said of Hugh ‘Sparky’ Paris, a member and honorary chairperson of the Sports Heritage Hall of Fame.
A 25-fight career without getting knocked out, years of refereeing and training, he was also a charitable man, and a member of the Second United Baptist Church in New Glasgow.
“It’s not just an honour, it’s a privilege,” Ruth Paris said of the dedication paid to Sparky.
Surrounded by family, friends, the community, and fellow sports enthusiasts, three builders, one sports reporter, and five athletes were added to the long list of Pictou County’s great athletic contributors.
The first name on the program was one Pictou County knows well, and helped to lead the Canadian Olympic women’s hockey team to its gold medal in Sochi, working her way from playing minor hockey in rural Nova Scotia to coaching university hockey at Saint Mary’s University and involvement with Hockey Canada programs.
“Lisa’s had a memorable year – Olympic gold and the upmost respect of a national hockey league coach. Of her unbridled energy, we haven’t seen the last,” Reid said, noting the comments of head coach Kevin Dineen who complimented Haley’s brutal honestly and coaching intuition.
Haley’s love and appreciation for her family, and her town, was clear as she struggled to compose herself during her acceptance speech, naming the importance of hard work as just one of the lessons her family has taught her.
Cathy Mason, the woman with “a heart as big as Mount Everest” was next in the builders’ category, a volunteer with Pictou County Special Olympics for two and a half decades and mission staff for Team Canada on several occasions.
“Cathy’s contributions transcend sports,” Reid said, naming her lasting effects on the people she encounters.
For all of the builder inductees, it’s the same story, known for their commitment to the community as much as for their superior sporting skills.
Roy Bennett, inducted posthumously, isn’t an exception, added for his contributions to the Pictou County Junior Hockey League, the New Glasgow Rink Commission, and the Pictou County Grammar School Hockey League.
Richard, his son, spoke on his behalf, noting his love of Pictou County.
“This grand little town has allowed me to accomplish it,” Richard can remember his father saying of his life’s work.
In the media category, one would be hard-pressed to find someone in Pictou County who isn’t aware of Steve Goodwin.
For more than 40 years, Goodwin has been covering sports and news in the area, first for the Evening News and now the Pictou Advocate.
It’s not his first time receiving recognition for his work, but it didn’t make it any less thrilling for him.
Drawing attention to a photo of him photographing triathlon swimmers from the water, he said, “It is evidence that I do get totally immersed in my work.”
Following Reid’s words about his dedication to the job and place he calls home, Goodwin proceeded to use his moment in the spotlight to call on people to nominate others in the community for the honour and noted that the Hall of Fame can always use volunteers.
In the athletes category, Clayton MacLeod was honoured post-humously for his skill in harness racing – a sport with “little room for error.” Hailing from Westville, his career started with a winning race in New Glasgow at 15 years old, a sign of the other 1,400 wins or so to come.
New Glasgow’s Tara Dunn was next, a former student-athlete at New Glasgow High, who took part in several sports, before working herself up to the women’s hockey roster at Harvard University and was a part of their NCAA championship in 1999 – their only national championship.
Continuing with a theme of women in sport, Courtnay Malcolm’s accomplishments were next touted at the lectern, an enthusiasm of sports that runs in the family as made clear by her previously inducted grandfather who was watching from the audience.
From her start in rugby at North Nova Education Centre in Grade 11 to her AUS point record and spot on the St. FX rugby team as captain during two CIS championships, Malcolm was noted for her quiet, but effective leadership.
Jennifer Weir, a rifle shooter, was inducted for her skill, which set a record in 1979 when competing in England with the Royal Canadian Cadet team.
“You can’t be sidetracked when taking aim,” Reid said when discussing Weir’s superior shooting, also noting she was one of the first female cadets in the area.
Lastly, Jason MacDonald was recognized for volleyball and mixed martial arts, leading East Pictou High to a championship as well as playing for Mount Royal in Alberta before making the switch.
Former teammate Jeff Sangster spoke on his behalf, noting how proud his friends felt when they watched him compete in Montreal and saw his hometown of New Glasgow on the screen.
The Scott Weeks Celebrity Golf Tournament and the original Trenton Rink Builders were also honoured in the special recognition category.
On Twitter: @NGNewsAmanda
