Sports Wall inductees honoured tomorrow

Published Friday November 6th, 2009

Ceremonies will take place at Bernice MacNaughton High School

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An Olympian competitor, a Special Olympics volunteer, a decorated target shooter and two talented hockey teams will enter the Moncton Sports Wall of Fame tomorrow.

The ceremonies are slated for Bernice MacNaughton High School starting at 7 p.m.

Tomorrow night's inductees include rhythmic gymnast Lise Robichaud-Gautreau, Special Olympics organizer Glen Agnew, shooter Cyril Weatherdon, the Moncton Hawks 1946-47 hockey team and the Moncton Beavers 1959-61 hockey team.

The inductees were announced by the City of Moncton, which described the teams and individuals as having shown excellence and dedication that have enriched the sports community in Metro Moncton.

The selection committee was composed of Marilyn LeBlanc, Randy Roth, Gene Gaudet and M.B. (Mike) Sullivan. It tendered its inductee recommendations to Mayor George LeBlanc as exemplifying individuals and teams whose accomplishments and personal attributes make them most deserving for the Wall.

This year marks the 19th edition of the induction ceremonies.

The first inductees were made in 1986 and some years -- 1994, '99, 2000, '02 and '03 -- there was no ceremony held.

The Wall of Fame is located inside the main entrance at the Tim Hortons 4-Ice Centre. It was dedicated Sept. 10, 2005.

Following is a synopsis of this year's inductees.

Lise Gautreau- Robichaud, Athlete

Rhythmic gymnast Lise Gautreau-Robichaud vaulted into the history books in 1988 when she became the first Acadian to participate in the Summer Olympic Games.

A decade later, in 1999, Gautreau-Robichaud was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame, a tribute that recognized not only her athletic triumphs, but also her persevering and dedicated spirit.

She first stepped into the limelight in 1979, winning the provincial junior title, which she held until 1982. In 1984, '86, '87 and '88 she claimed the provincial senior championship.

Gautreau-Robichaud also won the Eastern Canadian championship four times and the Canadian junior championship twice. She was named New Brunswick Senior Athlete of the Year in 1985.

In the span of her career, Gautreau-Robichaud represented Canada in 30 international competitions in 15 countries.

Glen Charles Harold Agnew, Builder

Glen Agnew stands with New Brunswick's Special Olympians as a dedicated coach, administrator, fundraiser and champion. Thanks to Agnew's efforts over three decades, the Special Olympic program in Metro Moncton has grown significantly to boast seven sports, 160 athletes, 35 coaches and dozens of volunteers.

Agnew has coached Special Olympians in floor hockey, softball, bowling, snowshoeing, basketball, and track and field. He has served as a member of the N.B. Special Olympics program committee and its board of directors, as well as serving on the National Council for Special Olympics.

In 2007, Agnew served as a coach for the World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. His commitment has been recognized through numerous awards over the years, including Award of Distinction for Outstanding Service in 1988, Coach of the Year in 1987 and '94, Harry Red Foster Award for National Distinction in 1992, and the Olympic and Government of Canada medal as a coach in the Moncton area.

Cyril Edward Weatherdon, Builder

Cyril Weatherdon is a top-notch target shooter and coach. A retired captain in the Canadian Armed Forces, Weatherdon has coached and trained cadets for more than 25 years, helping them win more than 50 shooting championships. In 2000 he served as assistant coach and chief financial officer of the N.B. Canada Winter Games Air Rifle/Air Pistol team.

The author of a target shooting training manual, Weatherdon was responsible for cadet marksmanship from 1987-2004 for the Royal New Brunswick Rifle Association. A Level II course conductor for the national coaching certification program, he was a Major Official for target shooting at the 2003 Canada Winter Games.

Weatherdon is a gold and silver medallist for the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association and was named to the Canadian Forces Sports Honour Roll in 2005 and inducted into the NB Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Military Hall of Fame in 2004.

Moncton Hawks

(1946-47)

In 1946-47 the Moncton Hawks competed in the Big Four Hockey League, capturing first place. The team defeated the Halifax Crescents and Truro Bearcats in league playoffs, Glace Bay Miners for the Maritime title, and Cornwall Falcons for the Eastern Canadian Allan Cup quarter-finals.

The Hawks advanced to the semifinals against the Pembroke Lumber Kings but ultimately lost the title, although they did have the honour of playing in Maple Leaf Gardens.

The team boasts a historic roster of players including eight inductees in Maritime Sports Halls of Fame: Mousie Dowling, Chick Charlton, Windy Steel, Buck Whitlock, Bucko Trainer, Kyle Bastarache, Gene Poirier and George Bell. Other team members were Hughie MacDonald, Ian (Fritz) Fraser, Bob Schurman, Sammy McManus, Mike Demchuck, Wee Willie Agnew, Doug Leadbetter and George Schurman (manager). Thirteen of the 15 team members served in the Second World War.

Moncton Beavers

1959-61

Finishing the Moncton Industrial League 1958-59 season with a 11-5-3 record, the Moncton Beavers went on to capture the Maritime Juvenile title in eight straight games. Playing in the 1960-61 New Brunswick Senior League, they won the Memorial Cup against Fredericton in three straight games.

The team beat Trois Riverieres in the Eastern Canada semifinals, advancing to the Eastern Canadian Memorial Cup finals in Maple Leaf Gardens, but losing to Toronto's St. Michaels team.

Members were: owner/manager Don Ramsay, coaches Ron Gaudet and Gene LeBlanc, Nick Nicolle, Doug Hillman, Buddy McIntyre, Rae Murphy, Darryl Pollock, John Lorden, Alf Flanagan, Phil Doiron, Gene Gaudet, Emery Cormier, Oscar Gaudet, Delphis Legacy, Bev Bawn, Roland Belliveau, Hartley Estabrooks, Don Feeney, Lloyd Gallant, Cam Gaudet, Louis Gaudet, Gary Harmer, Paul Hebert, Dave Inch, Bernie Keating, Vince Mulligan, Nap Pellerin, Clarence Poirier, Gary Watts, Dave Wilbur, Romeo Boucher and Ed Gaudet.

 

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