McAllister among the additions to local sports hall of fame

BROCKVILLE – The Brockville and Area Sports Hall of Fame recognized five new inductees and a few first-time accomplishments for area athletes at this year’s inductee gala on Thursday.

Jim Hale, George Hunter (deceased), Steve McAllister, Roy Pyke and Jim Vickery joined the wall at the Brockville Memorial Centre, bringing the number of plaques to more than 100.

Hale, a lifetime sportsman, has been involved in several sports for over four decades in the area. He was an accomplished hockey player, curler and later a coach for the Brockville Minor Hockey Association. “I just wanted to thank everyone for coming,” said Hale, 86. “This means a great deal to me and my family.”

The late George Hunter was represented by his nephew Bob and great nephew Rob at the induction ceremony. Hunter was the founder of several leagues and teams in hockey, baseball and other sports, and was also the very first trainer for the Brockville Braves. “If a player needed equipment and couldn’t afford to buy it themselves, George would be there to make sure they had the chance to play,” said Bob, adding that he would never hesitate to chip in his own money for players and coaches if needed.

McAllister grew up in Prescott and has been a well-recognized sports writer for many years. McAllister was most notably the sports editor for the Globe and Mail and now serves as editor for Yahoo Canada’s Sports division. Growing up the in Prescott area, McAllister knows and has written about several current and past members of the hall. “It is an honour to be inducted with all of these great athletes,” said McAllister. “I know so many of these great people and I am humbled to be included.”

Pyke was best known for his aggressive style behind the plate for the Brockville Commercial Stars fastball team. “It means an awful lot to me. Seventy per cent of the people (in the hall of fame) I know or played against or played with, and it just makes me feel so proud and honoured to know I am going to be joining the people who have become my friends,” said Pyke.

Vickery joins his two friends Gary Bates and Jim Toshack, to form the “terrible three” in the hall. Vickery helped build many of the elementary school sporting tournaments over his 30-plus years coaching. “After looking at the wall of fame, I don’t think I belong here,” he said. “It is a great honour to be next to all of these great athletes.”

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Football team among area sports award recipients

BROCKVILLE – After his third consecutive nomination, 19-year-old Athens native Christopher Perkins was voted Sports Person of the Year at C.J.’s Dining Hall on Thursday night, the first time he was unable to attend the awards ceremony. The St. Mary Crusaders junior football team took home Team of the Year, after a 10-0 season and a provincial title, the first among area football teams.

Perkins had another stellar season, winning male athlete of the month by the United States sports academy for his score of 599 out of 600, a world junior and senior record. He also won his third straight all-Ontario high school men’s title for the 2010 season.

St. Mary had a season to remember. The junior team went 10-0, outscoring their opponents 326-47 en route to capturing the first provincial title for an area football team. “Obviously winning anything is a great feeling, but to be recognized in your community as the best team in the area over the past year was unbelievable,” said head coach Steve White. “Our players that attended the banquet came away in awe of the accomplishments of those in attendance and were extremely proud to accept congratulatory handshakes from some of the biggest sports names around”.

Sam Rappin took home the volunteer award for his 25-plus years of service with the South Grenville Rangers, Brockville Tikis and Brockville Braves. The Ogdensburg native has been the trainer for the Braves for the past six years.

The coaching award went to Cardinal native Walter Smail for his continued efforts with boys and girls softball and soccer. Smail has coached over 1,600 games during his 32-year career.