In Loving Memory
Charles William “Pete” Conacher Jr.
July 29th, 1932 – October 20th, 2024
With great sadness, The Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, Board of Directors announce the passing of Pete Conacher. His contributions to our board and his passion for promoting sports in our community were truly remarkable.
Pete’s dedication, wisdom and spirit to the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame will be profoundly missed.
Pete’s dedication, wisdom and spirit to the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame will be profoundly missed.
Board of DirectorsWe gratefully acknowledge the contributions of our sponsors:
MEET THE
2024 ONTARIO SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Honoured Members
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are Canadian ice dancers who became the first North Americans to win the Olympic gold medal in ice dancing when they triumphed at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Virtue and Moir began skating together when they were aged seven and nine, respectively.
Career Highlights
Olympic Achievements:
- Three-Time Olympic Medalists:
- Gold Medal: 2010 Vancouver Olympics (Ice Dance)
- Silver Medal: 2014 Sochi Olympics (Ice Dance)
- Gold Medals: 2018 PyeongChang Olympics (Ice Dance, Team Event)
- Virtue and Moir are the most decorated Olympic figure skaters of all time, with five medals, including three golds.
World Championships:
- Three-Time World Champions: 2010, 2012, 2017
- Three-Time Silver Medalists: 2008, 2011, 2013
- Bronze Medal: 2009
- They are known for their consistent excellence at the World Championships, medaling in nearly every appearance.
Other Major Titles:
- Eight-Time Canadian National Champions: Winning from 2008 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2014, as well as in 2017 and 2018.
- Four-Time Grand Prix Final Champions: 2016-2017, 2017-2018
- Two-Time Four Continents Champions: 2008, 2012
Record-Setting Performances:
- Virtue and Moir have set multiple world records in ice dance, including the highest score ever recorded in the short dance, free dance, and total combined score.
- Their performance at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics set a new world record for the highest overall score in ice dance (206.07 points).
Innovative and Memorable Programs:
- Their routines, particularly “Carmen” in 2013 and “Moulin Rouge!” in 2018, are celebrated for their creativity, emotional depth, and technical brilliance.
- Virtue and Moir have been praised for their ability to combine athleticism with artistry, setting a new standard in the sport.
Post-Competitive Career:
- After retiring from competitive skating, Virtue and Moir have continued to influence the sport through their involvement in coaching, choreography, and public speaking.
- In 2019, they were named Canada’s Walk of Fame Honourees and have received numerous accolades for their contributions to Canadian sports.
Tessa Virtue
& Scott Moir
Figure Skating -
Ice Dance
Honoured Member
Mike Ceresia is a retired racquetball player from Sarnia, ON. He was a member of five Canadian teams that won gold at the Racquetball World Championships, which is the most gold medals won by a Canadian at the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships.
Career Highlights
World Championships:
- 3 Golds – Men’s Team Event (2000, 1996, 1988)
- 1 Gold – Men’s Doubles (2002)
- 3 Silvers – Men’s Doubles (1996, 1994, 1990)
- 4 Silvers – Overall Team (2002, 1998, 1996, 1994)
- 1 Silver – Men’s Singles (1994)
- 3 Bronzes – Men’s Singles (1998), Men’s Doubles (2000), Men’s Team Event (1998)
Pan American Championships/Games:
- 1 Gold – Men’s Doubles (1992)
- 5 Silvers – Men’s Doubles (1997, 1998, 1989, 1990), Men’s Team Event (1995)
National Championships:
- 7 Golds – Men’s Open Doubles (1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000)
- 2 Golds – Men’s Open Singles (1992, 1997)
- 10 Silvers – Men’s Open Doubles (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003), Men’s Open Singles (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996)
- 4 Bronzes – Men’s Open Singles (1988, 1985, 1998), Men’s Open Doubles (1998)
Mike CeresiaRacquetball
Syl Apps Award for Ontario Athlete of the Year
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the youngest guard in NBA history to average 30 points on 50 per cent from the field beating Michael Jordan’s record, he’s also the first player in Thunder history to score 40-plus points on 80 per cent shooting.
Career Highlights
NBA Career Highlights:
- All-NBA First Team: 2023
- NBA All-Star: 2023
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team: 2019
- NBA Western Conference Player of the Week: Multiple honors
Records and Achievements:
- Top Scorer: Averaged 31.4 points per game during the 2022-23 NBA season, joining Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as the only players in Oklahoma City Thunder history to average at least 30 points per game in a season.
- Youngest Guard to Average 30 Points: Became the youngest guard in NBA history to average 30 points per game on 50% shooting from the field, surpassing a record previously held by Michael Jordan.
- 50-Point Game: On February 10, 2023, scored a career-high 44 points on 80% shooting from the field, becoming the first player in Thunder history to achieve this feat.
- Most Improved Player Finalist: Gilgeous-Alexander was a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, showcasing his rapid development and impact in the league.
International Career:
- Team Canada: Represented Canada in various international competitions, including the FIBA World Cup.
Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderBasketball
Conacher Family Heritage Award
The 1973 edition of the Toronto Marlboros are known as one of the greatest junior hockey teams in Canada. The Toronto Marlboros represented the Ontario Hockey Association at the 1973 Memorial Cup. The Marlboros dominated the 1972-73 season, earning a league best record of 47-7-9 for 103 points.
Career Highlights
1972-73 Toronto Marlboros – Team Highlights and Statistics
Regular Season:
- Record: 47 wins, 7 losses, 9 ties
- Points: 103 (Best in the OHA)
- Goals Scored: 416 (Most in the league)
- Goals Against: 199 (Fewest in the league)
Postseason:
- Quarter-finals: Swept St. Catharines Black Hawks (8 points to 0)
- Semi-finals: Swept Ottawa 67’s (8 points to 0)
- Finals: Defeated Peterborough Petes (8 points to 6) to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHA Champions
Memorial Cup:
- Memorial Cup Title: Won by defeating Quebec Remparts 9-1 in the final
- Overall Memorial Cup Record: 2 wins, 1 loss in the round-robin stage, advancing to the final and securing a decisive victory
Team Achievements:
- Hamilton Spectator Trophy: Awarded for the best regular-season record in the OHA
- Dave Pinkney Trophy: Awarded to the team’s goaltenders for the lowest goals-against average (Mike Palmateer)
- Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy: Awarded to the team’s MVP in the Memorial Cup (Mark Howe)
1973 Toronto MarlborosHockey
Honoured Member
John Tavares is a former professional box lacrosse player. It’s impossible to discuss the history of the National Lacrosse League without the name John Tavares being uttered early and often. The Toronto native now stands as one of the very few Hall of Fame players (in any sport) who has also led a team to a championship as a head coach.
Career Highlights
National Lacrosse League (NLL) Records:
- Most Goals: 815
- Most Assists: 934
- Most Points: 1,749
- Most Games Played: 306
- Loose Balls Recovered: 2,191 (Second in league history)
Championships and Awards:
- 4-Time NLL Champion with the Buffalo Bandits (1992, 1993, 1996, 2008)
- 3-Time NLL Most Valuable Player (MVP): 1994, 2000, 2001
- 10-Time NLL All-Star
- 19-Time NLL All-Pro Team Selection
Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) Achievements:
- 8 Mann Cup Championships (1992-2012)
- MSL Scoring Title: Won 8 times
- MSL MVP: Won 3 times
International Achievements:
- 2 Gold Medals at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships with Team Canada (2003, 2007)
- 2 Gold Medals at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships with Team Canada (2003, 2007)
Coaching Career:
- Currently the head coach of the Buffalo Bandits, continuing his impact on the game beyond his playing years.
John TavaresLacrosse
Honoured Member
A celebrated Canadian high jumper who won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics and silver at the 2012 London Olympics, making him the first Canadian in 84 years to win Olympic gold in a field event. He also dominated at the collegiate level, becoming the only athlete to win five NCAA high jump titles. Drouin further claimed gold medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2015 Pan American Games, and 2015 IAAF World Championships, setting a Canadian record by clearing 2.4 meters outdoors.
Career Highlights
Olympic Achievements:
- Gold Medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics
- Bronze Medal at the 2012 London Olympics
World Championships:
- Gold Medal at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing
- Bronze Medal at the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow
Commonwealth Games:
- Gold Medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
Pan American Games:
- Gold Medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto
Collegiate Achievements:
- Five-Time NCAA Champion in high jump (3 indoor, 2 outdoor)
- Seven-Time Big Ten Champion
- Seven-Time All-American
- Three-Time Indiana University Male Athlete of the Year
National Records:
- First Canadian male to win an Olympic gold in a field event since 1932.
- Cleared a personal best of 2.40 meters (7 ft 10 in) in the high jump, setting a Canadian national record.
Derek Drouin Track and Field - High Jump
Honoured Member
Brian Williams is a Canadian sportscaster that provided coverage of just about every sport imaginable. The Olympics and the CFL were two of his mainstays as a principal studio anchor and longtime host with CBC and later CTV and TSN. There was Liz Manley’s skate and the Battle of the Brians at the 1988 Calgary Games. Ian Sunter’s game-winning field goal for the Tiger-Cats at the 1972 Grey Cup in Hamilton.
Career Highlights
Olympic Coverage:
- Brian Williams is best known for his coverage of the Olympic Games, having hosted broadcasts for 14 Olympic Games (both Summer and Winter) from 1976 to 2010.
- He became the face of Olympic coverage in Canada, first with CBC and later with CTV/TSN.
Professional Accolades:
- Gemini Awards: Won multiple Gemini Awards, including Best Host or Interviewer in a Sports Program or Series.
- Order of Canada: Appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2011 for his contributions to sports broadcasting.
- Canadian Screen Awards: In 2014, he was awarded the Sports Media Canada Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Canadian Football Hall of Fame: Inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2010 as a reporter.
Signature Events:
- Known for his coverage of the CFL, NHL, and major international sports events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.
- Williams’ in-depth interviews and engaging storytelling style have made him a respected figure in sports journalism.
Legacy:
- Williams has been a pivotal figure in bringing Canadian sports stories to a national audience, and his legacy includes mentoring many younger sports broadcasters.
- After over 50 years in broadcasting, Brian Williams retired in 2021, leaving behind a storied legacy as one of Canada’s most iconic sportscasters.
Brian WilliamsCanadian Sportscaster
Brian Williams Media Award
Rosie DiManno is a prominent Canadian journalist and columnist, known for her extensive career at the Toronto Star where she began as a sportswriter in 1975. Over the years, she has become one of the most recognized voices in Canadian journalism, covering not only sports but also a wide range of local, national, and international issues.
Career Highlights
Sports Journalism:
- DiManno began her career as a sportswriter in 1975 and has covered a wide range of sports, including baseball, hockey, and the Olympics. She is particularly known for her in-depth coverage of the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs.
- She has reported from over 10 Olympic Games, providing comprehensive and often provocative commentary on both the events and the broader implications of sports on society.
Awards and Recognition:
- Canadian Olympic Committee Recognition: In 2012, DiManno was honored by the Canadian Olympic Committee for her extensive coverage of the Olympics.
- Brian Williams Media Award: In 2024, she was awarded the Brian Williams Media Award by the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, acknowledging her significant contributions to sports journalism in Ontario.
Books and Publications:
- DiManno is the author of several books, including Glory Jays: Canada’s World Series Champions (1993), which chronicles the Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series-winning season, and Coach: The Pat Burns Story (2012), a biography of the NHL coach.
Broad Scope of Work:
- Beyond sports, DiManno is known for her wide-ranging columns that address current local, national, and international news. Her work often combines hard-hitting journalism with personal and emotional narratives, making her one of the most read and debated columnists in Canada.
Rosie DiMannoCanadian Journalist and Columnist
Bruce Prentice Legacy Award
Stacey Allaster is a visionary global leader serving amateur and professional sports for over 30 years. Formerly Chair/CEO of the WTA Tour, she was instrumental in the international growth of women’s tennis, notably securing equal prize money at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Career Highlights
Leadership Roles:
- Chairman and CEO of the WTA (2009-2015): During her tenure, Allaster was instrumental in expanding the global reach of women’s tennis, including securing a landmark 10-year media rights deal, the largest in women’s sports history. She also played a pivotal role in achieving equal prize money at prestigious tournaments like Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
- First Female Tournament Director of the US Open (2020-Present): Allaster made history by becoming the first woman to lead the US Open, one of tennis’s four Grand Slam events. Her leadership ensured the successful staging of the tournament during the COVID-19 pandemic, setting a standard for innovation and resilience in sports management.
Innovations and Contributions:
- Allaster is credited with transforming the WTA Finals into a 10-day sports entertainment extravaganza, significantly enhancing the fan experience through innovations in media, data, and technology.
- As a champion of gender equality, Allaster’s efforts have had a lasting impact on the promotion and support of women in sports, earning her numerous accolades.
Honors and Awards:
- Order of Canada (2022): Allaster was appointed as a Companion of the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor, for her contributions to tennis and sports leadership.
- Top 50 Heroes of Tennis: Recognized by Tennis Magazine for her significant impact on the sport.
- Various Awards: She has been named one of Forbes’s most powerful women in sports, and has received numerous accolades including the Sports Business Journal Gamechanger and the WISE Woman of the Year.
Earlier Career:
- Allaster began her career in tennis with roles at the Ontario Tennis Association and Tennis Canada, where she was the Tournament Director for the Rogers Cup and played a key role in the event’s development.
Stacey Allaster
Former Chairman and CEO of the Women's Tennis Association
Honoured Member
Geraldine Heaney is one of the most decorated figures in women’s hockey, renowned for her contributions both as a player and a coach. Over an 18-year career, Heaney played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Aeros, winning six Ontario provincial championships and earning recognition as the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association’s most valuable defenseman three times.
Career Highlights
International Achievements:
- Olympic Games:
- Gold Medal: 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics (Captain of Team Canada)
- Silver Medal: 1998 Nagano Olympics (The first Olympics to include women’s ice hockey)
- IIHF World Championships:
- 7 Gold Medals: A member of the Canadian national team that won the first seven IIHF Women’s World Championships from 1990 to 2001.
- Individual Records: Holds the Canadian record for most goals, assists, and points by a defenseman in World Championship play.
National Achievements:
- Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL): Played with the Toronto Aeros for over a decade, winning multiple provincial championships.
- Ball Hockey:
- 2-Time World Champion: Gold in 1992 and silver in 1994 at the World Ball Hockey Championships.
- Coaching Career:
- Following her retirement as a player, Heaney transitioned to coaching, including a six-year stint as head coach of the University of Waterloo women’s hockey team.
Honors and Inductions:
- Hockey Hall of Fame (2013): Heaney was the third woman ever inducted, following her pioneering efforts in the sport.
- IIHF Hall of Fame (2008): She was one of the first women inducted, highlighting her impact on the international stage.
- Ontario Sports Hall of Fame: Recognized for her contributions to the sport at both national and international levels.
Geraldine HeaneyHockey
Honoured Member
Neil Lumsden is a retired former football player that played his entire professional career in the Canadian Football League. Lumsden lined up mostly as a fullback and at times as a running back for the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Edmonton Eskimos from 1976 to 1985.
Career Highlights
CFL Career:
- Three-Time Grey Cup Champion as a Player: Lumsden won Grey Cups with the Edmonton Eskimos in 1980, 1981, and 1982 as part of the team’s dynasty that dominated the league during the early 1980s.
- CFL Rookie of the Year (1976): Lumsden began his CFL career with a bang, earning the league’s Rookie of the Year honors.
- Outstanding Canadian in the 1981 Grey Cup: He was named the game’s Most Outstanding Canadian after making significant contributions to the Eskimos’ victory.
CFL Statistics:
- Lumsden played for the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Edmonton Eskimos throughout his career, primarily as a running back and fullback.
- Over his career, Lumsden accumulated 3,755 rushing yards and 36 rushing touchdowns. He also recorded 180 receptions for 1,729 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns.
Collegiate Career:
- Lumsden was a star player for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, where he led the team to an undefeated season and a Vanier Cup victory in 1975.
- He set several records during his time at the university, including scoring 410 career points, making him one of the most prolific scorers in Canadian university football history.
Post-Playing Career:
- General Manager of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Lumsden continued his football legacy off the field, leading the Tiger-Cats to a Grey Cup victory in 1999 as their general manager.
- Honors and Inductions:
- Canadian Football Hall of Fame (2014): Lumsden was inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of his significant contributions to Canadian football.
- Ontario Sports Hall of Fame (2024): Lumsden was honored for his enduring impact on the sport in Ontario and beyond.
Neil Lumsden Retired Football Player
Sandy Hawley Community Service Award
Bhatia is known for being the Raptors’ biggest fan, having attended every Raptors home game in the franchise’s 25-year history from 1995 to 2020, until the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Raptors to temporarily play their 2020–2021 season in Tampa, Florida. Bhatia founded the Superfan Foundation in 2018 as a way to bring diverse people in Canada and around the world together through sport.
Nav Bhatia Raptor's Biggest Fan
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