Honouring Sackville's athletes, coaches, managers and boosters

Athlete Category: Speed Skating
Inducted May 27, 1989

Chester (King) Cole broke into speed skating in 1926 at the fifth annual Sackville School Sports program where he captured the high school championship at the age of 13.

Chester went on to add the New Brunswick, Maritime, Atlantic Canadian and world titles and held the skating fraternity in the palm of his hand until fate intervened and in 1930, he was struck down at the age of 17.

Athlete Category: Boxing
Inducted May 27, 1989

Frederick (Ted) Doncaster learned early the value of a powerful right hand once inside the square circle and his record proved it. Ted moved to the Boston area in 1954 after running up a 7–1 record in the Maritimes. There he built a 19–3 record; 18 of the victories coming via the knockout route. Ted Doncaster laid undisputed claim to the New England light-heavyweight championship and walked away still holding the title. Upon his return to Sackville, he soon retired from the sport and pursued a career at the Sackville Police Department, retiring after several years with the rank of corporal. During this time he offered sound advice to a good many young men, both on how to be better boxers but, more importantly, on how to be better individuals.

Athlete Category: Marksman
Inducted May 27, 1989

George Lawrence was born in Milton, Mass but spent most of his adult life in Sackville, employed with CN, before his passing in 1980 at the age of 81.

Lawrence reached the peak of his career in 1939 when he was chosen to serve on Canada’s Bisley Team in international competition. This signified he was one of the top 18 marksmen in the country. His list of accomplishments in shooting is a lengthy one which includes the NB Rifle Association gold medal in 1948, 1951, 1965 and 1967 and the Governor General’s medal during his 45 year career on the ranges.

Lawrence was also outstanding in other sports, catching for senior baseball teams from 1920 to 1928 and first performed and then coached tug of war teams.

Athlete Category: Baseball
Inducted May 27, 1989

William (Billy) Harris, who was born in Duguayville but who resided in Marysville and Dorchester, played his minor and senior hockey in Sackville and junior and senior baseball in Dieppe and Moncton before turning pro in 1951 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He went on to establish pitching marks that stand until today and is the first New Brunswicker to have thrown seriously in the majors. In the 1956 season he dropped a 3–2 decision to the Chicago Cubs and the tough Jack Sanford but went eight innings before coming out. And a year later he threw five innings of relief for the Dodgers in an era when few made it to the top.

Athlete Category: Boxing
Inducted May 27, 1989

Sheer grit and determination carried Bob Edgett to amateur boxing championships in Maine, Montreal, Central Ontario and the Canadian Navy but his proudest accomplishments have come as builder, coach and counsel for 6,000 young men spanning a 36-year career.

Cold statistics do not tell the full story. Bob produced 18 Canadian amateur champions and hundreds of Maritime champions. Three of his protégés — Mark Adams, Les Sprague and Eave Hilton — went on to win Canadian professional titles. His record earned him national recognition as coach of the Canadian, Provincial and Atlantic boxing teams. And he was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame, the Rochester, NY and Moncton Sports Wall of Fame and the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame.

Inducted June 2, 1990

The Midgic Tug of War Team was formed in 1947 and won the Maritime Championships in ’47, ’48 and ’49, coming back again in 1953 to win the championships for another three consecutive years.

Russell George was coach of the Midgic team. Practice was held at the old Roy Hicks place in Midgic. An old coal box was used at the round house and block pullies were used to practice with.

In those days, all pulls had twenty minute time limits. Midgic’s longest pull was with the strong team of Gaspereaux for about 13 minutes in 1947.

Athlete Category: Curling
Inducted May 25, 1991

William (Bill) Tracy, a member of the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, and winner of the Quebec curling championships in ’54, ’65, ’66, and ’68, took the team to the Brier Championships in ’65. Bill was winner of the Quebec Mixed Curling title in 1971, and played in the O’Keefe finals in Toronto and Saint John.

Tracy was considered one of the purest athletes ever to come out of Sackville, performing at provincial, maritime and national levels in hockey, curling, track, tennis, rugby, bowling, golf, speed skating and basketball.

Builder Category: Sport Development
Inducted May 25, 1991

Born in Quebec and raised in Nappan, N.S., the late R.J. (Bert) Robertson chose Sackville as his home. He arrived in 1930 and for the next 35 years left an indelible mark on the community.

Bert set to the task of creating organized recreation in the community, developing the Community Field where baseball and softball could be played. He also developed softball teams for three years between 1930 and 1932. Bert then turned his attention to baseball and for nine consecutive years managed and coached baseball teams at both the junior and intermediate levels. So successful was his work in baseball that he took a team to the Maritime finals in 1933.

Athlete Category: Golf/Basketball
Inducted May 25, 1991

William (Bill) Crawford came to Mount Allison on scholarship and ultimately won Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. He later returned to teach at Mount Allison, coached the varsity basketball team, was head of the Math Department, Dean, Vice President and finally President of Mount Allison.

Bill was an All-Star at each level of competition. He led the Mounties basketball team to Maritime Intercollegiate and Canadian Intermediate Championships scoring more than half his team’s points. He was one of the first players to score 15–25 points consistently.

In the sport of golf, Bill won the 1938 Maritime Junior Championship, and in 1939 was a member of the N.B.-P.E.I. Willingdon Cup golf team.

Inducted May 20, 1992

Baseball dominated the Sackville sports scene following the Second World War but no team captured the imagination of fans like the Juvenile Legionnaires. Lansdowne Street was lined with vehicles and fans crowded along the slope to watch the fireballing of young Steve Johnson, the hitting of Dunc Wheeler, Bob Hicks and Conrad Phinney and the fielding of players like Alan Milner, Fred Melanson, Bud Robertson and Bill Godfrey and the leadership of those like the late Clyde Keith and Frank Lewis. The Juvenile responded to this support, giving Sackville its first New Brunswick championship in 1948. They accomplished this by defeating a strong team from St. Stephen — the very heart of baseball in the Maritimes.

Builder Category: Sports Promoter
Inducted May 29, 1993

A former student of Mount Allison University, now retired from the Animal Pathology Laboratory, Wallie Sears has spent the past 54 years promoting sports in the Sackville area, involved in coverage of all sports in local newspapers, and a correspondent for regional newspapers and radio stations.

During the past five decades he has contributed greatly to the development of sports in numerous ways. In 1986, Wallie was recognized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches of Canada.

Athlete Category: Hockey
Inducted May 14, 1994
A graduate of the Sackville Minor Hockey Association, Hartley A. Estabrooks carved out an illustrious career in this sport and has brought considerable pride to his home town.

For 19 years he competed at the National Level in Junior and Senior play and more than held his own in the professional International League. Hartley led teams to numerous NB and Maritime Championships and to one Canadian title. He contributed immensely to the Sackville Combines who brought Sackville a Maritime Championship in 1972. His athletic skills and a desire to excel have earned him a permanent spot in Sackville’s sports history.

Inducted May 13, 1995

Solid in all positions with outstanding coaching, clutch goal-tending, a quick and mobile defense and a scoring machine up front, the well-managed 1971 Sackville Combines gave their many followers plenty to cheer about. With a season record of 29 wins against just eight defeats, they easily marched through the Central League and to the Maritime Intermediate “C” hockey championship.

The Combines, first formed in 1970, added provincial championships in 1972 and 1976 before retiring from active competition. The one Maritime championship won in 1971 is believed to be the only one of its kind ever to come to this community.

Inducted May 3, 1997<

The union of two long-time bitter rivals resulted in the only Maritime Women’s Softball Championship ever coming to Sackville. In 1934, the Town Girls and Middle Sackville Canadians forgot their differences, created one All-Star team and were unbeatable as they humbled Amherst Red Wings by scores of 9–3 and 28–20 to sweep the best of the three series in two games.

(Back L to R) Mildred Ashe, Edna Bourgeois, Georgina Simms, Louise Campbell, Alice MacPherson
(Middle L to R) Kathleen Estabrooks, Dorothy Lawrence, Edna Fullerton, Persus Dixon, Alice Bourgeois
(Front L to R) Edna Cook & Esther Leger

Athlete Category: Golf/Curling
Inducted May 3, 1997

Nice guys do finish first as has been proven for nearly 70 years by George William Chambers. This truly outstanding athlete has excelled in sports ranging from football to curling, and hockey to golf. George invariably demonstrated the finest qualities of sportsmanship; both in winning and in his occasional defeat. George Chambers, blessed with limitless talent, returned much to his community throughout his work with youth and with senior athletes.

Builder Category: Basketball
Inducted May 9, 1998
“The Father of Modern Basketball in Sackville,” Wayne MacKay brought his love of the game from Truro and Mount Allison University to his community. He single-handedly founded the first minor program on the outdoor courts which ultimately led to the formation of the Sackville Basketball Boosters’ Association (SBBA). He devoted more than 20 years of his life to coaching, managing and administering programs from mini to senior and many of this students have gone on to star at the university level. His record includes numerous provincial championships as well as a few Atlantic titles. Not only has Wayne MacKay developed basketball talent but has offered hundreds of young men a chance to mature in a healthy environment, learning to play the game in a proper manner.

Athlete Category: Golf
Inducted May 9, 1998
Nellie Johnson was 38 years old before taking up golf seriously, and in 37 years compiled a record that included 15 club championships and membership on seven provincial senior ladies’ teams. Among her many accomplishments is a hole-in-one.

Athlete Category: Golf
Inducted May 9, 1998
With 15 Sackville Golf and Country Club championships on her resume there is little wonder that Eva Estabrooks is recognized as a Wall of Fame member. From 1963 when she first joined the club, Eva was a dominant performer among the women’s group. She represented Sackville admirably, playing on seven Provincial teams from coast to coast.

Athlete Category: Football
Inducted May 1, 1999

During his High School years, Peter was named top offensive player and named TRHS co-male athlete of the year. He excelled in football throughout his University career accumulating many awards and honours including Mount Allison and the AUAA Football Rookies of the year and was nominated for the CIAU football Rookie of the Year. While at Mt.A Peter contributed greatly to the teams, AUAA & Atlantic Bowl victories and then led the Mounties to the CIAU Vanier Cup. Considered a versatile player Peter played quarterback, slotback, tight end and punter during his time with the Football Mounties. Following his University career Peter was drafted fourth (1st Canadian) by the Montreal Concordes, however Peter chose to finish his education.

Athlete Category: Basketball
Inducted May 1, 1999

Jennifer George is generally considered to be the best and purest female athlete ever to come out of Sackville. As a High School Basketball player over 4 years, she led Tantramar Regional High School to three AA Championships and one AAA Provincial Crown and was named TRHS Female Athlete of the Year in 1982. Jennifer excelled in Basketball throughout her University career, accumulating many honours and awards including, AUAA First Team All-Star, UNB Rookie of the Year, AUAA MVP, CIAU First Team All-Star and CIAU National Tournament All-Star.

She led the University of New Brunswick Red Bloomers to back-to-back championships in the AUAA and was a leading member of the University of Manitoba Bisons who won the Great Plains Championship during her two years there and also captured the Canadian University Championship in 1988. Jennifer has been named the athlete of the year at every school she has attended.

It was almost 50 years ago today, when the Sackville Eagles captured the Central Hockey league Championship with a solid 5-1 victory over the Memramcook Rovers in the fifth and deciding game of the final playoffs. A total of 2459 fans paid to see the “pride and joy” of Tantramar cap an unbelievable season with this victory which earned them the right to move on to the provincial play downs where they advanced all the way to the Provincial Finals, losing in the end to the powerful Campbellton Tigers. It was the flair and grit of the Sackville Eagles that gave Sackville its first taste of Senior Hockey since prior to World War II.

(Back L to R) H. Cormier, C. McAllister, M. MacKinnon, E. Booth, B. Harris, C. Melanson, J.Read, C. LeBlanc
(Middle L to R) A. Milner, T. McAllister, J. Morice, R. Ward, L. Cormier, P. Gauvin
(Front L to R) J. Wheeler (Manager), D. McAllister (Trainer), J. MacKinnon, R. Steeves, C. Johnson, W. Sears (Treasurer), T. Johnson (stick boy), Inset Cy Taylor (Coach)

Athlete Category: Softball/Basketball
Inducted April 26, 2003

Blessed with great athletic ability, Gail (Burns) LeBlanc excelled in softball, basketball, volleyball, field hockey and soccer. In a span of ten years she represented New Brunswick in three National competitions in softball and competed at the National level in basketball as well. She was a key contributor to seven provincial softball teams and served as captain on six, three of whom won Eastern Canadian Titles. While playing basketball for Mount Allison University she was the team’s leading scorer for four years, captained the team for three years, won two AUAA scoring titles, lead the nation in scoring in 1982 and was twice selected as Conference All-Star.

Builder Category: Community Sports
Inducted April 26, 2003

Bill Johnstone was one of a kind. A man who devoted his entire life to the betterment of the greater community. There were few that Bill had not touched in some form or other in a positive manner. Bill’s legacy may be seen at the hockey rink, the basketball court, the ballfield, the football field, the swimming pool, the local playground, Bob Edgett’s boxing club, or wherever young people go to enjoy a game.

Inducted June 17, 2006
The team was a combination of Sackville and Moncton curlers, originally conceived by teammate Krista Smith and was together from 1989 to 1992 in various combinations from among the following athletes: Heather Smith-Dacey; Denise (Cormier) Nolan, Susie (LeBlanc) Leger; Lesley (Hicks) Brannen, and Krista (Smith) Bernard. Over that time, the girls played some 217 games and attended events on the Provincial, Regional, National and International curling scenes. Together the team won 3 NB championships, 2 Maritime Junior Women’s Titles, represented NB at the 1991 Canada Winter Games in Charlottetown, won the 1991 Canadian Junior Women’s Championship in Leduc, Alberta and placed fifth at the 1992 World Junior Curling Championships in Obersdorf, Germany.

Athlete Category: Hockey
Inducted June 17, 2006
Rebecca has been a life-long multi-sport athlete. Her passion for hockey was born in the chilly confines of Allison Gardens under the wing of the Sackville Minor Hockey Association. Her talent was soon recognized as she won most of the group’s major awards including Player of the Year in 1990-91. Rebecca played for New Brunswick at the Canada Winter Games in 1991. She went on to the New Brunswick Senior Women’s Team and won medals nationally with the squad. Her career hit its zenith when Rebecca was drafted to Canada’s National Women’s Team where she played form 1995 to 1997. She won gold medals with the team twice at the Pacific Rim Championships in 1995 and 1996; at the Three Nation’s Cup in Ottawa in 1996 and a World Championship in Kitchener, Ontario in 1997. Recognition saw her earn the status of having her own hockey card, and appearing on Don Cherry’s “Coach’s Corner."

Builder Category: Minor Hockey
Inducted June 17, 2006

William (Bill) Milner began volunteering in hockey in 1963 and worked as assistant manager of the Sackville Legionnaires bantam program in 1965. By 1968 he was the operations director for the bantam level — a position he would hold for over 20 years. In 1971, he assisted with the committee that founded the Sackville Minor Hockey Association. Bill was very dedicated to Sackville’s minor hockey programs. He treated youngsters fairly and earned high respect from parents, players and participants. In 1978 Bill was awarded a plaque of recognition from the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association for his contributions to minor hockey.

Athlete Category: Boxing
Inducted June 17, 2006

Mark Adams has been described by his coach and mentor, the legendary Bob Edgett, as one of the best boxers he has ever handled and Bob worked with literally thousands of young men in over 50 years in the sport.

Mark posted 65 victories to only 8 defeats in the 73 bouts of his amateur career. Through the 1970’s he captured Canadian amateur championships in 5 weight categories. Mark’s professional career featured a 16 win, 2 defeat record. He captured the Canadian lightweight championship in 1987 and had a successful title defense.

Mark has worked tirelessly in support of the Bob Edgett Memorial Boxing Club in training young men and women in the sport of boxing.

Athlete Category: Running
Inducted May 14, 2008

Colin McCabe began his serious running career in 1979 at the age of 48. From that time to 2002 he ran in almost 300 sanctioned races around the world including 14 marathons. His best marathon finish came in Boston with a time of 3:25:18 in 1989. Colin won numerous medals for his age category including gold at the 1981 Canadian 20 km Championships, silver in the 1988 Canadian Masters 10 km and gold in the 1996 Canadian Masters Half Marathon.

Builder Category: Softball/Hockey
Inducted May 14, 2008

Robert (Bob) Cann has long been recognized as a key builder in Sackville for the sports of softball (fastball) and hockey. Whole generations of athletes have benefited from Bob’s commitment to strong teamwork and skill development. Several softball teams under his tutelage won New Brunswick and Maritime Championships including the men’s Sackville Goodwin’s Discounts and women’s Sackville Brunswick Pallet. Throughout the 70’s and 80’s, Bob lent his coaching expertise to successful teams in both minor and senior hockey, receiving the Haines Award in recognition for his dedicated and faithful service.

Athlete Category: Hockey/Baseball
Inducted May 14, 2008

Vincent Estabrooks is a talented multi sport athlete whose record of successful athletics includes baseball all-star status with the Marysville Royals, and selection to the New Brunswick team for the first Canada Games in 1969. In hockey with the Fredericton Capitals he led his team to the Eastern Canadian Senior Hockey Championships. These hockey successes have also found Vince inducted into the Fredericton Sports Wall of Fame. Vince is a leader, who after retirement turned to coaching, acting as an example and exhibiting a deep commitment to excellence and sportsmanship.

Athlete Category: Golf
Inducted June 2, 2010

Randy Beal began his career as a talented golfer at the age of 9, at the Sackville Golf Club. By the early 1980s his success in regional, national and provincial play caught the attention of collegiate scouts from south of the border, where he would eventually attend school at Marion College in Marion, Indiana, on a scholarship.

Athlete Category: Soccer
Inducted June 2, 2010

Katherine (Kate) Crawford started her career in soccer with the Sackville Youth Soccer Association, and she moved all the way up the ranks to eventually play with the University of Maine Black Bears from 1999–2003, in Division I National College Athletic Association Women’s Soccer. When Kate returned to Sackville after University, she turned her passion for the game to coaching.

Builder Category: Highland Dancing
Inducted June 2, 2010

At the age of 5, Sharon embarked on a competitive career as a dancer that would span 12 years and see her win many medals and trophies across Atlantic Canada. She began to teach Highland Dancing at 14, and reached a teaching milestone 50th anniversary in 2011. When it comes to Highland Dancing, Sharon has done it all — dancer, teacher, coach, judge and administrator.

Builder Category: Hockey
Inducted June 2, 2010

In the late 1960s Wayne began his volunteer work in hockey. Since then he has been a manager, organizer, timekeeper and “behind the scenes” jack-of-all-trades, in support of generations of young people pursuing their hockey dreams. Wayne is very dedicated and committed to work in all areas involving Sackville’s Minor Hockey program. His service to the hockey community has not gone unnoticed and he has received several awards honouring his efforts.

Athlete Category: Golf
Inducted June 6, 2012

Sara Meldrum Youngner is recognized for her stellar career as an amateur golfer in New Brunswick, Canada and the United States. Sara is a 3-time NB Ladies’ Junior Champion, and a 3-time NB Ladies’ Amateur Champion. In 1994, Sara finished 3rd at the Canadian Junior Ladies’ Championships, leading New Brunswick to the province’s first and only national junior title. Sara played on 8 straight NB Ladies’ Amateur teams from 1995–2002 finishing 3rd or better at the Provincial Championships over the years. At the zenith of her career, Sara played in the US Amateur Ladies’ Championship in 1999, the US Mid-Amateur Ladies’ Championship in 2001 and the LPGA’s duMaurier Classic in 2000.

Athlete Category: Football/Hockey
Inducted June 6, 2012

Bruce Harper was a master of high school and junior football in the late 1980’s. In 1989, he rushed for 1762 yards and scored 27 touchdowns in 6 games — a record that still stands in the annals of NBIAA Football. Bruce played for the St. Leonard Cougars in Quebec’s Major Junior Football League. He was the teams’ MVP and won the Leagues’ rushing title and was named a 1st Team All-Star. Bruce excelled in hockey through the Sackville Minor system, the Tantramar Titans and a season with the Amherst Ramblers of the Maritime Junior A League. His remarkable speed, agility and competitive nature set him apart from other athletes in his age group.

Builder Category: Precision Skating/Golf
Inducted June 6, 2012

Wynn Meldrum pioneered the development of the “Happy Hearts” Precision Skating Team in 1980. The team’s skaters developed under his coaching and by 1984 participated in the Canadian Championships in London, Ontario. His involvement and support of figure skating saw him recognized as New Brunswick’s Volunteer of the Year in 1989.Wynn was also a builder of golf in New Brunswick for more than 30 years. An avid player, Wynn has been a committed golf volunteer, Administrator and Official, with the Sackville Golf and Country Club, the NBGA Board of Governors, and the Royal Canadian Golf Association’s Board of Governors.

Rod Mattatall was the Sackville Sports Wall of Fame resident artist, creating the portraits gracing the wall from its inception to 2006.

As an active member of the Sackville community, Rod was instrumental in building the first baseball field on Lorne Street and coached minor league baseball for many years. He was also chairman of Laubach Literacy for 8 years. Rod was a longstanding member of Archery New Brunswick and part of the Border Bowmen team.

Builder category: Sackville Swim Club
Inducted June 4, 2014

Barbara Campbell started spearheading the efforts to get a competitive swim team off the ground in Sackville in the mid-1970s. Barbara was an amazing coach, mentor and friend to a generation of Sackville youth and their families.

A successful swimmer herself, Barbara went on to coach and train many successful swimmers who have done well in Atlantic Canada and Nationally In the summer of 1975 the Sackville Swim Club was born.

Barbara was also the founder and directed the Olympic Way Swim Program. As the swim team continues to grow, Campbell helped spearhead fundraising activities for the club, including the annual swim-a-thon, which still continues today.

Builder Category, Football
Inducted June 4, 2014

This was a team that, in 1982 had just won their third straight provincial high school championship after going undefeated all season — and for that, they will be recognized as the latest team to be inducted on the Sackville Sports Wall of Fame.

The 1982 TRHS football Titans achieved a feat that had not been seen before or seen since from the little school on the marsh — winning a New Brunswick High School Football league championship for the third year in a row.

The Titans squad had established a winning tradition — not only three consecutive championships but two perfect seasons with only two defeats in that span of time.

Builder Category, Football
Inducted June 4, 2014

David has been a long-time volunteer coach in the Tantramar community — most notably, he is being recognized for the 20-plus years he has dedicated to the Tantramar Titians football team where he began as an assistant coach in the fall of 1990, took on the reins as head coach from 1994–2007, and continued on as an assistant coach to this day.

David has positively impacted the lives of many young men in the Tantramar area that were on the edge or in trouble and, through football, encouraged them to become better citizens of the community. Burns is estimated to have coached 1,000 players, including many that went on to become all-stars or league MVP’s.

Builder Category, Swimming
Inducted June 4, 2016

John has been heavily involved as the local swim coach in Sackville since 1988.  He has guided members of the Sackville Swim Club to provincial championships and many of his swimmers hold provincial records in multiple swim categories.  John has also coached Mount Allison Swim Team members to the CIS Championships eighteen times and several swimmers have gone on to the CIS Finals, and has had swimmers participate in Junior and Senior National championships, Canada Games, World Cup and even the Olympic Trials.  Furthermore, in 2009-10, John was honoured as the Swim New Brunswick Coach of the year and in 2012/13 John was AU’s university swim coach of the year.

John has also coached cross country and founded the Mount Allison Cross Country Team in 2007.  Since then, the team has won an ACAA championship for eight consecutive years for a combine total of sixteen men and women’s titles. He has been named cross country ACCA coach of the year twice.