Sports Hall of Fame members get their due recognition

The Huntsville Sports Hall of Fame officially unveiled its new sign at the Canada Summit Centre on Monday (June 26).

Hall of Fame committee chair Wendy McConnell called it “a big moment for our Sports Hall history.”

McConnell said the Hall was the vision of the late Mike Greaves, 26 years ago, and he would be proud to be a part of this latest sign in its more prominent, more vibrant location just inside the main entrance to the building.

McConnell also said the committee is hopeful of working with the Town to include a digital kiosk soon, which would provide information on request about each of the members in the Hall of Fame. It would be located beside the sign and available to the general public. “All information would be updated on a regular basis,” she told those in attendance at the unveiling, “and come directly from our group.”

Huntsville mayor Scott Aitchison said it was time to give the Hall a better location and greater visibility in the Summit Centre.

It’s no surprise to anyone here that Huntsville has a proud sports tradition. I think that’s something we should celebrate more, and more visibly, and that’s why I thought we should move it out here.Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison

“I’ve been to many museums and the Canadian hockey hall of fames,” Aitchison said, “and they have these digital readouts, and that is where I came up with the idea that while I recognize most of the names, a lot of visitors don’t, and I think it speaks volumes about this community if we are celebrating our sports heroes present and past and we have information available about those people.”

Among those on hand for the unveiling were Ken Thompson who was inducted this year into the Hall for his years in lacrosse and hockey in Huntsville. He was joined by Tom Conlin and Donna Trumbell, the daughter of Roy Oke who was also inducted this year in the builder category. Stan Rimmington, a long time softball promoter, was also at the ceremony.

In the past, the Huntsville Sports Hall of Fame sign was not as attractive and was located in a low traffic area of the Summit Centre. Over the past year, McConnell has worked with Mayor Aitchison to make the change and Monday it became official.

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