2008 ONTARIO LACROSSE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED
Media Release
Monday, August 25th, 2008.
(Toronto, Ontario)-The Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) announces the newest 9 members of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame (OLHOF) located in St. Catharines, Ontario.
The 2008 Inductees to the OLHOF are Joe Caruso of Brampton, Brian Connors Of Akwesasne, Oliver “Lover” Hill of Onondaga Nation, Bob Hamley of Fergus, Terry Lloyd of Oshawa, Randy Mearns of St.Catharines, Larry “Wamper” Power of Oshawa, Gerald Ravary (deceased) of Whitby and Steve Thomas of Akwesasne.
Joe Caruso of Brampton, elected in the Veterans category was a high scorer and playmaker and served as a great role model playing until age 38.He was a member of the 1952 Minto Cup Champions the Brampton Excelsior’s and the OLA Jr. A MVP in 1953.In 61’ and 62 was a Mann Cup finalist.
His immeasurable passion and dedication for the Creators game has Brian Connors of Akwesasne elected in the Builders Category.
His involvement in lacrosse has spanned 3 generations as a player, referee and coach in Akwesasne serving as teacher and mentor for the young players of today. He has served as a high school field lacrosse coach and Akwesasne Jr B coach where they received OLA Coaches of the Year Award in 1997.
In a playing career that spanned 4 decades from 1964 to 1994 in both field and box lacrosse in Onondaga, Syracuse, Rochester, Six Nations and Akwesasne, Oliver “Lover” Hill is elected in the Veterans Category. He won scoring titles in all leagues he played and was a star player on every team.
Elected in the Players Category Bob Hamley of Fergus played competitively for over 20 years in Jr. B, Sr. B, Major and Pro.Known for always scoring big goals and a huge offensive threat he was Jr. B MVP in 1984, Jr. B top scorer in 1986 and Sr. B MVP in 1988.
He was a member of the Presidents Cup Champions, Fergus Thistles in 1988 and 1992. He is currently coaching in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and is a great ambassador of the game.
Terry Lloyd of Oshawa, elected in the Builders Category has been the driving force behind the Oshawa Blue Knights Field Lacrosse Association growth from one Sr. team in 1979 to over 12 teams today. He has been involved in every part of the game as manager, coach and executive and organized every detail from behind the scenes. His teams have won numerous championships and more recently he was involved with the Under 19 World Field Lacrosse Championship in BC in 2008.He received the OLA Ken Murray Award for unselfish motivations demonstrated by the dedication of their efforts to “helping the kids”.
Elected in the Players Category, Randy Mearns of St Catharine’s played many years at the highest levels of lacrosse including 6 years of Jr. A with the St Catharine’s A’s capping it off winning the 1990 Minto Cup and earning him the MVP of the tournament He was also awarded the Billy Evans Trophy as Top Graduating Jr. A Player in 1990.He went onto win the Mann Cup 5 consecutive
Years, 2 with the Brampton Excelsior’s in 92 and 93 and 3 with the Six Nations Chiefs IN 94,95 and 96.He also played Pro lacrosse with Buffalo and Rochester from 1993 to 2002.He continues to give back to the game as a coach for Canisius College and was an assistant coach for World Champion Team Canada in 2006
Larry “Wamper” Power is being elected under Special Consideration after spending numerous hours researching the history of lacrosse and compiling statistics from years and years of research. He created “The Bible of Lacrosse” website where every players stats are listed and recorded. He was OLA statistician for 4 years from 1988 to 1991.He has ensured that all the outstanding feats and history of the many great players are now permanently recorded so that future generations can read and take pride in the history of Canada’s National Summer Sport.
Gerald Ravary (deceased) of Whitby was involved in every facet of the game. Elected in the Builders Category, he was a player, coach, manager, executive member and was a referee in the OLA from 1954 until 1976, including the National Lacrosse league from 1970 to 1974.One of the highlights of his career professional career was refereeing the final game between Quebec City and Montreal in front of a sellout crowd. He served as Major League Commissioner for the OLA in 1984 and 1985. In 1997 he received the Presidents Award from the OLA and in 2002 was Inducted to The Whitby Sports Hall of Fame. He continually promoted the game of lacrosse and encouraged young people to join in the game he loved.
Steve Thomas, a hard rock defenseman from Akwesasne is elected in the Players Category. He played on Championship teams with the St. Regis Jr. Braves in 96, 70, and 71. He played for Ross Powless in Rochester in 71 and 72 and continued to play on many Championship teams in the Quebec Sr. League. He won the John Ferguson Best Defenseman Trophy 3 times.
The Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame is located at Lock 3, Welland Canal Parkway, St Catharines Ontario. The 2008 Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday October 18th 2008, starting with a Wine and Cheese Reception from 12:30 to 3:00 pm at the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame. The Induction Dinner will be held at 6:00 pm at the Quality Parkway Convention Center on Ontario St. St Catharines. For Information regarding the OLHOF Induction Ceremony contact Tom Succamore, OLHOF Chairman at (416) 742-8630.
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