Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame welcomes five new members
The City of Niagara Falls celebrated its 31st Annual Sports Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony Sunday at the Gale Centre with a stellar list of inductees.
Named to the wall were: Dave Conte, a three-time winner of the Stanley Cup as an executive; disabled swimming champion Larry Gardner; long-time hockey official Mike MacGillivray; former national rugby team member Ray Barkwill; and, former Niagara Falls Thunder star Todd Simon.
Conte was feted with a video tribute by his current boss, Lou Lamoriello, the president of hockey operations and the general manager of the New York Islanders.
“I have had the pleasure of working with you for some 30 years and I can’t think of a more deserving person to be the recipient of this honour,” Lamoriello said. “Your accomplishments speak for themselves, especially your most recent vocation in the National Hockey League, three Stanley Cups and sixth Stanley Cup finals.
“What more can I say?”
Conte opened his speech with a coach from a former American president.
“John Kennedy said once ‘Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country’ while Niagara Falls has done a lot more for me, than I have done for it.”
Conte and both his brothers were able to attend college thanks to athletic scholarships.
“My scholarship was $1,000 less than the combined income of both my parents.”
On his mantle at home are miniature Stanley Cups but his most cherished award is the Robin Hood most valuable player for peewee hockey.
“The reason is it’s the only trophy they gave,” he said. “I am very proud of the trophy because it gives me bragging rights over (Phil) Roberto and Bruce Durno. That’s important.”
See BPSN’s story on Conte at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/conte-owes-many-for-nhl-journey/
Gardner used his acceptance speech to take care of some unfinished business.
“I would formally like to thank the City of Niagara Falls, 40 years late, for sponsoring me in 1980 in helping me with my travel expenses,” he said, to laughter from the crowd.
Swimming was more than a sport for Gardner when he started.
“One of the best and only ways to network and meet with other people with disabilities was through sports,” he said. “I was inspired by many of the people that I met through my involvement in sports for the disabled.”
He thanked Gord and Mac Bowman for teaching him how to swim.
“I would sincerely like to thank everyone involved with this incredible honour, especially my family for always being there for me through thick and thin.”
In 2003, Gardner created a website to serve as a resource for amputees.
“Since then I have strived to motivate and inspire others with my story and I have also participated in some amputee peer support work helping new amputees adjust to their new situation
“I hope this award inspires others to get involved in sports.”
Prior to Gardner’s acceptance speech, a letter was read from Karen O’Neill, the CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
“Your medal performances at the 1979 World Amputee Games in England and the Olympic Games For Physically Disabled in 1980 have solidified your place in Canadian Paralympic history,” read the letter. “You are a valued member of the Paralympic committee and we thank you for continuing to share your story, help others to find the joy of sport and advocate for athletes with a disability.”
See BPSN’s story on Gardner at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/gardner-swims-into-niagara-falls-sports-wall/
MacGillivray opened his acceptance speech with a joke.
“This is a huge, huge honour and privilege for me and I honestly don’t know how you could actually approve an induction to this prestigious wall for someone who people used to love to hate.”
He described the induction as emotional because he was taking his place on the wall along with his grandfather, Cliff MacGillivray, and his father, Keith MacGillivray. The first game he reffed was with his father.
Family was a central theme in MacGillivray’s and all the other inductees’ messages. He thanked his own family for their patience and understanding.
“They had to put up with me being gone three to four times a week, often missing their sports or other activities and then coming home at 1 or 2 in the morning with less than half or all the money I had made gone because we went to the bar.”
He described himself as a fair but a lenient referee.
“I refereed in a lot of cities and small towns over my 25 years and I have enjoyed every minute of it,” he said. “The biggest things that have come out of my career as a referee is something most people and the fans would not understand. That is, becoming good friends to this day with many of the players and coaches from around the different leagues.”
MacGillivray also acknowledged the efforts of his fellow refs.
“We had a great crew of officials in the Niagara region,” he said. “We had a lot of fun together but we certainly didn’t it for the money. It was just for the love of the game.”
See BPSN’s story on MacGillivray at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/referee-answers-call-to-sports-wall-of-fame/
Barkwill was emotional in his acceptance speech recalling growing up in the Falls, working in a foundry, not giving up, paying his way through university and doing everything he could to accomplish his goals.
“I didn’t think I would have a teary moment but between the tough beat-up face and rugged exterior, I am so passionate about sport.”
He loved representing Canada.
“To play for your country is something that those that do it only understand,” he said.
Barkwill always dreamed big.
“Like most kids who play sports, you talk about playing at the highest level and I had that conversation at a really young age with my parents. But it was in baseball and I still think I am a better baseball player.”
His goal was to be a professional athlete and he succeeded even though it took him until age 30 to achieve his goal.
“When I got there at my age at 30, I made sure I was not getting knocked out of that chair, out of that jersey and I made sure I put in every little bit of effort to do that.”
See BPSN’s story on Barkwill at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/barkwill-joins-niagara-falls-sports-wall/
Simon decided on his career path at an early age.
“One of my earliest memories as a child was sitting with my family, beside my dad and brother, watching Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers win the 1984 Stanley Cup,” Simon said. “I decided that night I wanted to be a professional hockey player.”
Simon remembered being at his first training camp with the Niagara Falls Thunder and being cut and sent down to the Port Colborne junior B Sailors. When coach Bill LaForge was fired, his replacement, George Burnett, brought him up.
“George called me up, that was my opportunity and I was determined not to let him down. Thanks George.”
He recalled his Niagara Falls Thunder days as some of his favourite years in his career.
“There was no greater feeling than taking home ice to a full house with incredible fans,” Simon said. “This is a beautiful city and it welcomed me and my family with open arms.
“I can’t imagine living anywhere else and I want to thank you all for supporting me throughout my hockey career. I am looking forward to many more years of teaching and coaching hockey in Niagara Falls.”
He is honoured to join the city’s sports wall.
“To be with you tonight is overwhelming and I cannot express how humble and grateful I am.”
See BPSN story on Simon at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/simons-career-says-wall-of-fame/
Honoured with sponsor awards were Alison’s Sports Awards and Promotions and Canadian Tire.
At the conclusion of the presentations, committee member and wall of fame recipient, Gord Singleton, was recognized for his 30 years of involvement with the wall’s committee.
“For 30 years, the honour of contributing back has truly been mine,” he said. “It has been a pleasure enshrining our sports history on these walls and I encourage everyone to spend the time to read some of the plaques.”
The sports wall of fame committee will be holding an open house Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Gale Centre. Suggestions and nominations are welcome at that time.
