2018 U of T Sports Hall of Fame: A celebration of athletic excellence and special memories

Julia Hamilton, who led the Varsity Blues women’s squash team to three consecutive OUA titles from 2002 to 2005, while pursuing a medical degree, spoke at the induction ceremony (photo by Martin Bazyl)

Eleven individuals and three teams were honoured for their outstanding achievements and contributions to athletics at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education's 31^st annual U of T Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 7, 2018.

“U of T's Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1987 as part of an ongoing effort to record and celebrate a legacy of athletic excellence at U of T,” said Ira Jacobs, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education. “Tonight we honour individuals and teams who helped build that tradition of excellence.”

The inductees were selected from sports as varied as cross-country, track and field, football, basketball, squash, hockey, soccer and volleyball. Taking their turn on the podium to receive their awards, the athletes thanked their families, coaches and teammates for providing them with the support, motivation and inspiration they needed to achieve their success.

“On occasion, my parents were the only spectators, not counting the other athletes, attending some of my races,” said John A. Sharp (BCom 1974 VIC), an alumnus of U of T's Victoria University who was honoured for his achievements in cross-country and track and field.

Sharp also thanked his sister Trudy, sitting in the audience, for letting him borrow her black tights on a very cold October day of an OUA track and field championships in 1974. He won the race in record time.

Speaking on behalf of the inducted 1974 men’s cross-country team, Brad Morley (BA 1976 UC, MA 1978, BEd 1979) showed up wearing a singlet he wore in 1974 when the team was crowned both CIAU and OUAA champions.

“Still looks good, huh?” he said to cheers from the audience.

“The passion we all had for our sport was nurtured and developed by the very positive atmosphere at the University of Toronto, embodied in the wisdom and dedication of our coaches. And, from the impressive biographies of my teammates, you can see how much it shaped us as athletes and people,” said Morley, who became an English teacher after graduating from U of T.

One after the other, the inductees shared their favourite memories of being U of T Varsity athletes. Julia Hamilton (MHSc 2002 MD 2006), who led the Varsity Blues women’s squash team to three consecutive OUA titles from 2002 to 2005, while pursuing a medical degree, quoted American gymnast Mary Lou Retton: “A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.”

Jeff Chung (BPHE 1997, BEd 1998) was one of the most decorated men’s volleyball players in Varsity Blues history, who went on to serve as the Varsity Blues men’s volleyball head coach from 2004 to 2007.

He thanked his family and spoke about his special relationship with coach Orest Stanko (MA 1976), calling him not only the best, but the most entertaining coach.

“You always challenged me, pushed me hard, taught me how to win and be a leader. You believed in me and, most importantly, you made me laugh.”

Chung’s teammate on the inducted 1997-98 men’s volleyball team, Peter Esteves (BPHE 1998) remembered that their team was shorter than nearly all the others, and they tended to make slow starts in matches. But they believed in themselves, something Coach Stanko encouraged.

“He told us that our success was in our hands and he had the gift of empowering us when we needed it.”

Esteves recounted the story of the team losing the first two games in a best-of-five match. During the huddle leading into the third game, the players’ spirits were low. Stepping into the huddle, Stanko looked at them and said: “It’s clear we have them right where we want them.”

They went on to win that match.

 Congratulations to the 2018 U of T’s Sports Hall of Fame inductees. They are:

ATHLETES

John A. Sharp – cross country and track and field

Ewart “Reddy” Dixon – football and basketball

Frank Halbus – gymnastics, track and field

Julia Hamilton – squash

Walter “Watty” Thompson – hockey, soccer, track and field

Thomas Joseph McAuliffe – cross country, track and field

Jeff Chung – volleyball

Harry Hobbs – football

Michael Slean – volleyball

BUILDERS

Dr. John C. Cameron – medical staff

Dorothy Jackson – synchronized swim staff and administration

TEAMS

1974 men’s cross country

1997-98 men’s volleyball

2004-05 women’s squash

Reposted from U of T News.