The dinner was awesome. Hearing speeches from all the inductee were like hearing success stories, and recapping on the memories that made them so passionate about sports. Some particular speeches that were most memorable were from the home grown hockey player, Mike "Crusher" Conway, who went way past his 8 minutes timeframe (lol). Also, Steve Ouderkirk was honoured for his contribution to hockey, and even had an email from Scott Arniel, Head Coach of the NHLs Columbus Blue Jackets and former player under Steve's coaching, congratulating him and reminissing about memories of his old Cornwall Royals coach.
I was truely honoured to be at this dinner, because my late cousin, Jason Lapierre, was being inducted for his commitment to Alpine skiing, and most notebly for coaching John Kucera, a Gold Medal hopefully in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver...before he blew out his knee at the Lake Louise Competition. Jasons dad, Claude Lapierre, did a wonderful speech in Jasons memory and accepted the award on Jays behalf. Jay will forever be in our hearts. And now he will forever be remembered in Cornwall for his outstanding contribution to sports.
While looking around at all the Sports Hall of Fame'ers, I couldn't help but notice some others of my own family were already in there. My late great-grandmother, Dorothy McAllister, was inducted for her contribution to Tennis in 1954. My late grandfather, Donald MacDonald, was inducted in 1998 for Track and Field. A close family friend, Don Scranton, ha been inducted for curling and the Chair of my program at Algonquin College was inducted for hockey, Mr. Jim Kyte! That last one was a true shocker!
All in all, congratulations to all the inductees this past saturday! A true honour, you will always be noted for your passion, commitment and success in sports.
