Life Members

Honouring a Lifetime of Contribution

Life Membership is the highest honour awarded by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. It recognizes individuals whose lifelong dedication, leadership, and service have helped shape lacrosse in Ontario and strengthen the communities it serves.

This distinction reflects not only years of involvement, but the lasting impact an individual has had on the growth, integrity, and spirit of the game. Life Members are formally recognized by the Association and hold voting rights at the OLA Annual General Meeting, along with a lifetime pass granting complimentary admission (with a guest) to all OLA-sanctioned events.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates for Life Membership must meet all eligibility criteria outlined below, reflecting a lifetime of service, leadership, and meaningful contribution to the growth and integrity of lacrosse in Ontario.

Nominees must have demonstrated an exceptional level of dedication, leadership, and integrity in their service to lacrosse. Their contributions must reflect positively on the OLA and exemplify outstanding conduct that has elevated or brought dignity to the sport at any level or sector of participation, having an impact to the OLA that will live on past their active involvement.
Candidates must have contributed a minimum of twenty-five (25) years of active service to the game of lacrosse, providing direct, unparalleled and outstanding benefit to the membership of the Ontario Lacrosse Association.
To reflect the diversity and reach of their contributions, nominees must have served in at least two of the following four levels, at least one of which must be the local or provincial level:
- Local
- Provincial
- National
- International

OLA Life Members

The Ontario Lacrosse Association proudly recognizes the individuals who have been awarded Life Membership:

Danny Atkinson

J.D. Bailey

Boyd Baragar

Harry Benham

Edward Blair

Merle Biggart

Jim Bishop

Jim Brady

Cap Bomberry

Doug Budden

Enrico Caruso

Everett Coates*

Fred C. Conradi

Barb Cormier

Bryan Davies

I. Davis

Jim DiMarco

F.J. Dixon

E.J. Dopp

Dale Douglas

E.A. Doyle

J. Dundas

Joe Engemann*

Rose Engemann

William Evans

Norm Gair

S. Galbraith

Ron Galway

F.C. Moore

Lloyd Gibson

Paul Gilkinson

Joan Gostling

Robert “Bob” Hanna

Rev. R.W. Hare

W. Harcourt

F.E. Hayes

John Herd

Ted Higgins

Dr. W. Holmes

Frank Huntley

William “Bill” Hutton

Robert Joseph

J. Labatt

Marion Ladouceur

Ruby Lang

P.J. Lally

F.J. Lubbock

Annie MacDonald*

Hugh MacDonald

Ed “E.C.” McDermott

Merv McKenzie

Dean McLeod

Ted McTaggart

W. Merklinger

Chuck Miller

A.J. Morganson

J. Murphy

Ziggy Musial

W.A. “Bert” Naylor

Ross Nelson

Bob Oliver

John Panting

C.J. Querrie

Bernard Riehl

Chuck W. Rowan

F.J. Sandford

W.J. Scott

Robert Sinclair

Marshall Spence

T.L. Taggart

John Turney

Dave Vernon

Lee Vitarelli

F.C. Waghorne

Phyllis Walker

William Walker*

Bill Willis

George Wissler

Nominations are encouraged from across the lacrosse community to ensure deserving individuals are identified and recognized. Nominations may be submitted by OLA Club Members, League Members, Directors, the OLA Board of Directors, current Life Members, and OLA Committees, Councils, or Governors.

Nominations may be submitted at any time and are reviewed annually. Submissions received by September 15 will be considered in that year’s evaluation cycle.

Individuals approved for Life Membership are formally recognized at the Annual General Meeting or at another appropriate OLA event.