Wallaceburg Sports HOF recognizes inductions, award winners

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Wallaceburg Sports HOF recognizes inductions award winners

Athletes and coaches, past and present, have been recognized by the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame.

The organization held its annual ceremony April 1 at the UAW Hall, celebrating both the new inductees and the award winners. Andy Fantuz, a former Canadian Football League wide receiver, was the head speaker.

Professional figure skater Brittany Heath and lacrosse player Lance Phenix were the athlete inducted for 2023.

Other inductions included Barry Boley, football, basketball and track coach; John Martin, founder of the Wallaceburg Mercenaries rugby team; and the Wallaceburg Griffins 1997 bantam and 1999 midget boys lacrosse teams, who were the Ontario C division champions.

The annual awards were presented to Catie Dawson and Tyler Davis (athletes of the year), Nolan DeKoning and Tanner Cole (outstanding achievement), Linda Nethery and Rob Howlett (coaches of the year) and the Wallaceburg Minor Hockey Association (builder of the year ).

Kate Martin received the Ray Aarssen scholarship.

Kate Martin, centre-right, received the annual scholarship from the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame. She is shown at the April 2023 ceremony with Marcia Simpson, hall of fame committee member; head speaker Andy Fantuz; and Ed Freeburn, hall of fame committee member. (Handout/Postmedia Network)
Kate Martin, centre-right, received the annual scholarship from the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame. She is shown at the April 2023 ceremony with Marcia Simpson, hall of fame committee member; head speaker Andy Fantuz; and Ed Freeburn, hall of fame committee member. (Handout/Postmedia Network) jpg, WC
The Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame's annual community builder award went to the Wallaceburg Minor Hockey Association for the Ojichaag Yindaawin – Spirit of Community event during the month of October to raise awareness of the impact of the residential school system in the local area. Shown here are Ed Freeburn, hall of fame committee member; Mike Moniz, Wallaceburg Minor Hockey Association; Jen Glover, Wallaceburg Minor Hockey Association; Nabeesh Shognosh Diaz; and head speaker Andy Fantuz. (Handout/Postmedia Network)
The Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame’s annual community builder award went to the Wallaceburg Minor Hockey Association for the Ojichaag Yindaawin – Spirit of Community event during the month of October to raise awareness of the impact of the residential school system in the local area. Shown here are Ed Freeburn, hall of fame committee member; Mike Moniz, Wallaceburg Minor Hockey Association; Jen Glover, Wallaceburg Minor Hockey Association; Nabeesh Shognosh Diaz; and head speaker Andy Fantuz. (Handout/Postmedia Network) jpg, WC
Nolan Dekoning, centre-right, received the Harold Martin Memorial Award for outstanding achievement at the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame ceremony in April 2023. He is shown with Marcia Simpson, hall of fame committee member; head speaker Andy Fantuz; and Ed Freeburn, hall of fame committee member. (Handout/Postmedia Network)
Nolan Dekoning, centre-right, received the Harold Martin Memorial Award for outstanding achievement at the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame ceremony in April 2023. He is shown with Marcia Simpson, hall of fame committee member; head speaker Andy Fantuz; and Ed Freeburn, hall of fame committee member. (Handout/Postmedia Network) jpg, WC
Catie Dawson, centre-right, was named the athlete of the year by the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame. Shown with Dawson are Ed Freeburn, hall of fame committee member; head speaker Andy Fantuz; and Marcia Simpson, hall of fame committee member. (Handout/Postmedia Network)
Catie Dawson, centre-right, was named the athlete of the year by the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame. Shown with Dawson are Ed Freeburn, hall of fame committee member; head speaker Andy Fantuz; and Marcia Simpson, hall of fame committee member. (Handout/Postmedia Network) jpg, WC
Barry Boley, who died in 2020, was inducted into the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame in the coach/official category. Shown here are head speaker Andy Fantuz; hall of fame committee member Chris Phenix; Teresa Boley, Barry's wife; and committee member Marcia Simpson. (Handout/Postmedia Network)
Barry Boley, who died in 2020, was inducted into the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame in the coach/official category. Shown here are head speaker Andy Fantuz; hall of fame committee member Chris Phenix; Teresa Boley, Barry’s wife; and committee member Marcia Simpson. (Handout/Postmedia Network) jpg, WC

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