Athletics Ontario is pleased to announce the 2013 Inductees in to the AO Hall of Fame. The ceremony is to take place at the Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites on Saturday September 28, in conjunction with the Athlete of the Year Awards Banquet, “Celebrating Excellence in Athletics”.
The banquet, in addition to the presentation of awards to Hall of Fame Inductees, will also include the presentations of Athlete of the Year Awards for athletes in most age-groups and event groups. Details on the banquet, including ticket information and the on-line athlete nomination form (nominations close September 3), can be found at: http://athleticsontario.ca/celebrating-excellence-in-athletics/
The evening’s special guest will be announced in the coming weeks.
The following athletes and builders will be inducted into the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame on September 28:
Men’s 4x400m Relay Team – 1976 (Leighton Hope, Bryan Saunders, Ian Seale, Don Domansky*) * Domansky previously inducted in 2012
This relay team with all 4 team members from Ontario, placed 4th at the 1976 Olympic Games in the men’s 4x400m, finishing with a time of 3:02.64, which is still the Canadian record!
Ian Anderson, Builder (1942-)
Ian received the Special Achievement Award at the Ontario Sport Awards this past spring for his contributions to the sport of Track & Field in Ontario. He started out in the 1960’s as a high school middle distance coach. He joined the Toronto Striders and then in the early 70’s formed the Track West Club. Ian served as the meet director for the 1972 Olympic Trials in Scarborough and in 1973 formed the Ontario Meet Directors Council, for which he served as the first chairman. Ian is currently coaching and officiating in the Pole Vault and remains active at the U of T.
Cal Bricker, Athlete (1884 – 1963)
Cal won the bronze medal at the 1908 Olympic Games in the Long Jump and finished 4th in the Triple Jump. At the 1912 Olympic Games, he earned the silver medal in the Long Jump and held the Canadian record in the event until 1930.
Bob Hancock, Builder
Bob is best known for announcing – he was a long time announcer at Toronto Maple Leaf Indoor Games, Hamilton Indoor Games, ofsaa, etc. Bob also served as a director for Central Ontario Track & Field Association in the 1960’s and 1970’s and as a records chairman for CTFA.
Grant McLaren, Athlete (1948-)
Grant held the Canadian 2 mile indoor record, outdoor 2000m, 3000m, 3 mile, 5000m, 3000m Steeplechase records. Grant was also a member of the 1971 and 1975 Pan American Games Team, the 1970 and 1974 Commonwealth Games Team and the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games Teams.
Arthur Morton, Builder (1917-2010)
Arthur was a long time technical official. He was the coordinator of Ontario Officials Council during 1980’s and 1990’s and in 1991-92 was named Official of the Year in Ontario and Coordinator of officials for 1993 World Indoor Championships.
Larry O’Connor, Athlete (1916-1995)
Larry was a member of 1936 Olympic Team where he was 6th in the final of 110mH. In 1938, Larry ran 120y H in 14.2 at British Empire Games in Sydney, Australia to win silver medal – this ranked him 3rd in the world for that year. Also at the British Empire Games, Larry was part of the gold medal-winning 4x110y and 4×440 yard relay teams. His 120y H record stood as the Canadian record until 1963. His 110mH record, 14.8, set in 1939 stood as the Canadian record until 1964.
Alex Oakley, Athlete (1926-2010)
Alex was a member of the 1956, 1960, 1964, 1972 and 1976 Olympic Teams. Alex posted a 6th place finish in the 50km Walk at the 1960 Olympic Games and he was 9th in the 20km walk. At the 1963 Pan American Games, Alex won the Gold medal in the 20km Walk and was a member 2 Commonwealth Games Teams.
Glenda Reiser, Athlete (1955-2008)
Glenda ran 4:06.71 for 1500m at 1972 Olympic Games; and was Canadian native and open record holder. Her time is still the Ontario Youth U17, U18; Junior U19, U20 and Espoir record. Her Ontario Mile record at 4:35.13 set in 1973 is also still on the books. At 1974 Commonwealth Games, Glenda won the gold medal in 1500m.
Bruce Simpson, Athlete (1950-)
Bruce was a member of the 1972, 1976 Olympic Games, and the 1970, 1978, and 1982 Commonwealth Games teams, and a member of the 1971, 1975, and 1979 Pan American Games Teams. He was 5th in the Pole Vault at the 1972 Olympic Games and won Gold medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and the 1979 Pan Am Games. Bruce also picked up a bronze medal the 1971 Pan Am Games and the silver medal at the World Student Games.