Three athletes, two builders, and a national championship team will make up this year’s slate of Inductees to enter the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
The 26th-annual induction dinner and ceremonies are set for the Valhalla Inn ballroom in Thunder Bay on Saturday, Sept. 29.
< *c>Athletes
Thunder Bay’s Janette (Dowton) Stoot made her mark in distance running, winning regional, provincial, and national track and cross-country titles throughout the 1970s.
Named to the national junior and senior teams, she represented her country with distinction at the 1978 World Cross-Country Championships.
Earning a scholarship to Purdue University, she competed in NCAA Division I cross-country and track events, and served as a member of the record-setting 1980 Big Ten championship cross-country team.
She returned to competitive running during the 1990s in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she continues her involvement as a successful coach at the high school level.
Johanna (Malloy) Stewart honed her skills with the Thunder Bay Thunderbolts, claiming numerous medals in individual and team events during the 1970s.
A freestyle specialist, her talents earned her a spot on the Canadian national swim team from 1977-80, and into the history books for her record setting times.
Her outstanding performance at the 1977 Canada Summer Games saw her smash the 50m free Games’ record and set a Canadian senior record, returning home with two individual gold and two team gold and silver medals.
Accepting a scholarship to Auburn University in Alabama, she claimed All-American honours in 1980 and 1981 before a knee injury forced her into an unfortunate early retirement.
Fort William born Joe Szura, who will be inducted posthumously, enjoyed a 15-year professional hockey career which spanned the AHL, WHA, and NHL.
A centre ice performer, his high-scoring abilities led the Cleveland Barons to the 1963-64 AHL Calder Cup title and earned him AHL all-star honours.
Skating in the NHL with the Oakland Seals from 1967-69, he rounded out his career in the World Hockey Association, adding that league’s title to his record of success with the 1973-74 Houston Aeros.
He retired from the professional ranks following the 1975 season.
< *c>Builders
A respected coach, official, and volunteer, Thunder Bay’s Bill Charlebois has spent close to 30 years involved with the sport of curling from the local to the world level.
Holding numerous positions with the Fort William Curling Club, Curl Northwest, and the Canadian Curling Association, his exceptional leadership skills have seen him hold key positions with many events, including the national mixed, Scott Tournament of Hearts, and world junior championships.
His officiating duties have seen him at more than 25 major championships.
His coaching talents have seen his curlers excel at national and world events, and most recently have been sought after by other countries, including the United States and Holland.
John Ritchie took the skills he learned at the Port Arthur Ski Club and as a member of the National Ski Team, and passed them on to some of Canada’s finest skiers as head coach of the Canadian Alpine team.
Leading the women’s team from 1975-76 and the men’s team from 1977-83, he was responsible for the disciplines of downhill, giant slalom, and slalom.
His skiers, who included the likes of Kathy Kreiner, Dave Irwin, Dave Murray, and Steve Podborski, were a skiing powerhouse, producing 13 World Cup wins and unprecedented Olympic medals for Canada.
Transferring his leadership skills from the snow to the turf, he spent time during the 1990s as vice-chairman of the Ottawa Rough Riders and as alternative governor of the Canadian Football League.
< *c>Team
The team category will welcome the members of the 1975 Fort William National-Internationals Senior Little League Baseball Team.
This team dominated regional and national competition to become Canadian Senior Little League Champions, representing Canada with distinction at the Little League World Series in Gary, Ind.
The Canadian Championship roster included Mark Backor, Lee Browning, Gord Griffin, Doug Harris, Andy Hay, Grahame Longley, Ken Mayor, Bill Oleksuk, Dave Osipenko, Gordon Pearce, Peter Poshtar, Dave Purdy, John Sliskovic, and Dan Tennant.
The coach was Bill Poshtar while Maurice Sawchuk was the manager.
The 26th-annual induction dinner ceremonies will see the citizens of our region come together to celebrate our rich and proud sports heritage on Sept. 29 at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay.
Tickets for the event are available at a cost of $65 each ($30 tax deductible), which can be ordered by calling the Hall of Fame at 1-807-622-2852.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
