Ron Hewat

Ron Hewat’s broadcasting career began in 1959 when he joined CKFH in Toronto as a staff announcer. He went on to become a host and colour commentator for Toronto Maple Leafs broadcasts, progressing to play-by-play announcer for all Leafs games over the next sixteen years.

Through his involvement in Maple Leaf games, he has broadcast every Canada Cup series including the memorable 1976 series.

To his credit Ron has broadcast five Grey Cup games, assisted in production of the Bobby Orr Story on video, and did the first ever broadcast on TSN.

Ron started the original network for the Toronto Blue Jays and today is heard on numerous radio and television commercials across Canada.

Thousands of guests have attended the annual Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame induction dinners and have had the pleasure of Ron Hewat as the Master of Ceremonies at the events.

Linda Tripney

Linda first began competing in archery in 1991. Over a five-year period, Linda won five gold medals at the annual North American Field Archery Championships and the Canadian Field Archery Championships in the Freestyle Limited Class.

In 1996, she attended her first World Games in Washington State and won her first World Field Archery Championship in the Freestyle Limited Class, setting two world records. Two years later, in New Zealand, Linda repeated her gold win and again set another world record.

In 1999, she won the Provincial Field Archery Championship, the Canadian Field Archery Championship, and the North American Field Archery Championship. One of her greatest accomplishments to that time was winning the US Nationals Field Archery Championship.

In 1999, Linda switched from a compound bow to a recurve bow and to her credit achieved the third ranking in Canada. She also served on a committee for junior development.

Father John Redmond

Father John Redmond CSB was born in Weston, Ontario in 1934 and aspired to helping others all his life. He was a faithful priest, dedicated teacher and accomplished coach.

Educated in Toronto at St Michael’s College and later a the University of Windsor, Father Redmond was ordained a Basilian priest in 1963.

His entire professional teaching career, which spanned 1963 to his death in 1981, revolved around Michael Power High School. He was the school’s athletic director for thirteen years and principal from 1976 to 1981.

He helped develop thousands of Etobicoke teenagers into responsible adults through his example of a Christian life and through the discipline of sport.

Under Father Redmond’s tutelage, Power won fifteen Toronto and District College School Athletic Association Track Championships and, provincially, nine out of ten Ontario Federation of Secondary Schools Association Crowns.

In 1976, an American reporter wrote that the Power track team won a US invitational meet over 243 schools “handily”.

Father Redmond had the ability to motivate individuals, build teams and inspire students. Many Etobicoke residents will never forget his record in that era.

The Metro Separate School Board renamed the former Alderwood High School Father Redmond High School.

Barbara Berezowski-Ivan

Barbara Berezowski-Ivan, along with her skating dance partner David Porter held impressive records as members ofthe Canadian World Team from 1973 to 1976. Together they were Canadian Ice Dance Champions in 1975 and 1976 and World Professional Ice Dance Champions in 1977.

Coached by Marijane Stong, they impressed crowds all over the world with their elegant and graceful skating style and were wonderful Ambassadors of Canada. During that period, Barbara was honored three consecutive times with the title “Miss Charm on Ice” in both Germany and Russia.

Barbara also won the titles Miss Toronto in 1975-76, Runner-up to Miss Canada in 1976 and Miss Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria that same year.

They began their professional career in 1976 and starred in Toller Cranston’s “The Ice Show”, Shipstad and Johnson’s “Ice Follies” and were featured in “Stars on Ice” in Seoul, South Korea.

Of all her accomplishments, one of Barbara’s most gratifying was being part of the team that created the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame in her role as Chair of the Founding Board of Governors.

Recently, Barbara and David thrilled audiences again by performing their signature piece “The Lord’s Prayer” at the Air Canada Centre’s Legendary Night of Figure Skating.

George Gross Jr.

George Gross, Jr. had an impressive swimming and water polo career, starting from a young age. He began competitive swimming before the age of ten and quickly made a name for himself, holding Ontario and Canadian records in relays. At the age of 15, he became Ontario’s Overall Points Champion three times, setting records in several events including the 200 backstroke, 400 individual medley, and the 800 and 1500 freestyle.

While attending Yale University, George was introduced to water polo and excelled in the sport. He became the first inductee in the Yale Water Polo Hall of Fame and was undefeated as the starting goalie in league play.

In 1974, George was added to Canada’s National Water Polo Team, marking the start of a successful international career. He represented Canada at two Olympics (1976 and 1984), five Pan American Games (winning two bronze medals), three World Aquatic Championships, and two World Student Games. He played a total of 170 international matches for Canada.

One of the highlights of George’s career came in 1986 when he was honored as the flag bearer for Canada at the opening ceremonies of the World Aquatic Games. His dedication and skill in water polo made him a respected athlete in Canada and internationally.

Glenn Michibata

At an early age Glenn Michibata won the Canadian Nationals Junior Under 12, and Junior Under 18 twice. He was the first Canadian in the junior ranks to reach quarter finals of Junior Wimbledon and paved the way for Canadian junior players coming up the ranks.

Overall he was ranked in the top ten from 1980 to 1991 and represented Canada in the Davis Cup many times.

Glenn burst onto the professional tennis scene in 1983 and during 1983 and 1984 he was the first Canadian to reach the Singles ranking in the top fifty.

Glenn, along with his Canadian doubles partner Grant Connell, ruled the tennis world in doubles in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Achieving excellent results in Grand Slam tournaments such as Australian, Wimbledon and the US Open. Together, they won the bronze at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and in 1993 were ranked first in the world for a period of time.

Recently, Glenn was inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame and has coached at a university in California.

J. Thomas Riley

Athletes who use Etobicoke’s superb recreation and sports facilities owe a portion of their success to Tom Riley. Tom was Etobicoke’s only Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the Township, then Borough, and finally City of Etobicoke. He held the position for more than 36 years.

Tom is a man of unique vision, determination, and action. He had a hand in building a parks and recreation system that combined a range of community-based and internationally recognized facilities. Tom pioneered the community school concept, which brought quality recreational programs to every part of the city.

He also developed the concept behind Centennial Park, with its internationally acclaimed facilities which provide training facilities for local athletes. The International sites include Etobicoke Olympium and Centennial Stadium. Tom was instrumental in bringing a range of high-profile events to Etobicoke, including the 1976 Olympiad.

Tom has provided strong leadership to many other organizations, including the Ontario Special Olympics and the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association. His talents and contributions have been recognized through such distinguished awards as the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, the Province of Ontario’s Corps Elite, and the Canada 125th Medal. His personal love of sports, recreation, and the public parks system have been reflected in his long and distinguished career.

At its final meeting, Etobicoke City Council renamed Central Park Tom Riley Park in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Etobicoke community.

Archibald Dixon

Albert Archibald Dixon’s list of lacrosse accomplishments began in 1938 when he was a star defenceman for the Mimico Mounties winning the junior Minto Cup.

Four years later, he again struck gold as a member of the 1942 Senior Mimico team, winning the Mann Cup Championship. Archie began coaching the Long Branch Monarchs in 1955 and was able to bring the Juniors to victory in the Canadian Minto Cup Championship.

In the summer of 1994, the Mimico Mountaineers Lacrosse Club retired his #10 at the Mimico Arena.

After years of dedication to the sport of lacrosse, Archie was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1996, when the Hall was officially opened.

In 1997 he was inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame as a chartered member.