Bartlett, Lewis Share Builder Honour

Two sports, volleyball and baseball would not be where they are today in Chatham without builders Linda Lewis and Randy Bartlett. That’s why the duo will both be inducted as builders into the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame September 15.

Below are biographies and accolades of the two deserving inductees:

Builder: Linda Lewis
For 40 years, Linda has been involved in baseball locally, provincially and nationally. Beginning with Chatham Minor Baseball and working her way through the ranks of Western Counties Baseball, Baseball Ontario, and Baseball Canada. She has held numerous positions in each organization including President of Baseball Ontario in 1995 and Vice-president of Baseball Canada from 2001 to 2010.

• Baseball Ontario – 1984 appointed to Ontario Baseball Board as Western Counties’ representative
  • 1985 elected to Executive Board
  • 1993 & 1994 – served as Awards Chairperson, Competition and Technical Committees
  • 1991 to 1997 served on Umpires Committee
  • 1995 – became President at convention in Chatham hosted by CMBA
  • currently is Treasurer, serves on the Executive Committee, the HR Committee and acts as Commissioner of the Premier Baseball League of Ontario
• Baseball Canada -1995 to 2002 – served as Vice-president from Ontario on Baseball Canada
  • member of the Sports Development Committee
  • chaired and promoted the Women’s Baseball Committee
  • for many years chaired the Umpires Committee
  • 1994, 1995, & 1996 – was Baseball Canada representative at Canadian Junior Championships in Kitchener
  • was Tech person at Canada Games in London
  • 2001 to 2010 – served as Vice-president of Baseball Canada
  • chaired the National Umpires Committee and selected Canadian umpires to work the World Baseball Tournament
  • co-wrote playing rules for the new Rookie Ball program
• Awards and Recognitions – 1988 – received Fergie Jenkins Community Service Award from CMBA
  • 1994 and 2010 – received President’s Award from Baseball Ontario
  • 1995 received Volunteer of Year Award from Baseball Ontario
  • received Ontario Sports Award – Special Achievement Award
  • received Optimist International Gold Bat Tournament Award for Past Service and Dedication to the Promotion of Baseball

Builder: Randy Bartlett
Randy was born in the Merlin area, attended Merlin High School where he excelled at volleyball and basketball winning 3 SWOSSAA volleyball championships and 2 OFSAA championships. He continued his volleyball success at the University of Western Ontario where he led his team to two CIAU championship tournaments. His teaching career took him to Queen Mary Public School, Winston Churchill Public School and Chatham Kent Secondary School where he successfully coached boys and girls teams.

• As Player
  • 1970 to 1975 – at Merlin District High School – led volleyball team to 3 SWOSSAA and 2 OFSAA “A” Championships under coach Mort Giles, an Honoured Member of the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame – led basketball team to 2 SWOSSAA “A” Championships
  • 1975 – was Senior Boys Kent “A” track and field champion – 1975 – was chosen Male Athlete of the year – 1980 – was chosen Male Athlete of the Decade for 1970-1979
  • 1975 to 1979 – at University of Western Ontario – led his team to winning 2 OUA Provincial Championships and one 3rd place and one 4th place at CIAU Championships – 1978-1979 – was team captain, was chosen Most Valuable Player, and was OUA All Star
• As coach
  • 1984 – started Kent County Elementary Schools Athletic Association (KCESAA) volleyball league
  • 1986 to present – Founder and Director of Volleyball Kent Camp
  • 1989 to 2010 – was senior and junior volleyball coach at CKSS winning 7 OFSAA Gold Medals (5 as head coach, 1 as assistant coach, and 1 as co-coach), 3 silver medals, and 1 bronze – his teams also won 3 SWOSSAA Junior girls championships
• 1998 – founded Chatham Ballhawks Volleyball Youth Program
• 1998 to 2007 – club coach in the Ballhawk program – 2007 – won gold medal in Ontario Volleyball Association Championships 16U girls and silver medal at Eastern Canadian Championships
• 2010 to 2014 – Volleyball Instructor – Part 1 Physical Education AQ – University of Windsor
• 2014 to present – Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach at Western University who were Bronze Medalists at 2014-2015 OUA Championships
• In addition
  • has served in various capacities in other local organizations including Chatham Y Pool Sharks, Cataraqui Scout Camp Volunteer Committee, South Western Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association (SWOSSAA), Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA), and Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association
• Awards and recognitions
  • 1980 – Merlin District High School – Male Athlete of the Decade 1970 – 1979
  • 1990 – Manning Morgan Memorial Award for Recognition of Service and Promotion of KCESAA
  • 1994 – Kent County Hillerich & Bradsby Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport
  • 2005 – OFSAA Leadership Award – Girls “AAA” Volleyball
  • 2005 – Ontario Volleyball Association – Recognition Award
  • 2010 – OFSSA Pete Beach Award
  • 2010 – CKSS Staff Alumni Award for Outstanding Contribution to Athletics