Dresden Sports Hall of Fame announces inductees
The invitations to welcome home Dresden’s sporting heroes have been sent. The archives from their achievements have been gathered, the arena hall is booked and the caterers have been put on notice.
Even the celebrity speakers for the evening are busy these days, clearing their throats and dusting off their best stories. Like a fine-tuned orchestra, all aspects of a first-class Induction ceremony and dinner will come together on the second Saturday of April at the Ken Houston Memorial, Agricultural Centre.
It promises to be an unforgettable evening of good fun, and great food with an extra serving of Dresden pride.
“I believe we offer an incredible value for a $50 ticket,” says Michael Wicks, the long-time chair of the Dresden Sports Hall of Fame. “We enjoy tremendous financial support from the local business community. Also, we keep our costs low thanks to our many volunteers.” Wicks added.
Tickets for the event are going quickly, and are available at McKellar’s Flowers & Gifts Dresden, 519.683-4368 or from many committee members. Any proceeds from Dresden Sports Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony will be earmarked for community charities and needs.
Four-time Stanley Cup Champion and fan favourite Joey Kocur heads up the dais along with sports television broadcasting legend Rod Black. Joining them will be Dresden’s Trevor Thompson, a renowned sports broadcaster covering Detroit’s major professional teams.
Thompson will be the inaugural recipient of the Bruce Huff Memorial Award, an accolade presented to a media member, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to sports coverage while proudly representing our community. Bruce Huff, a Dresden area native, and iconic sports journalist, died June 27, 2024.
Also being inducted on April 12, is the 1967 and 1969 Dresden Bantam baseball teams, Ontario
Baseball Association champions.
“Sadly, we have lost a few of the fellas from those teams including Ken Houston” admits Brian McCabe, who is both an alumni of one of those teams, and a Hall of Fame committee member. Most of the players and many of their family members will be attending the event”
The Male Athlete inductee this year is Paul Bellamy, with the Female Athlete to be awarded to Cathy Depencier. The Legend category is being awarded to Gord Peters. The Builder category will be presented to Ian Avery. The Lynn Memorial Award, (presented to special individuals who have demonstrated their passion and trusted support for the Dresden Sports Community) will be presented to Ken Smith. The Walter D. McFadden Trophy winner is Brittany Pegg.
First established in 1997, the Dresden Sports Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony has sold out since its inception. Chair Mike Wicks strongly urges interested guests to reserve their tickets as soon as possible.
“Invariably, someone will call for tickets the day before or day of the event and unfortunately, I have to say ‘Sorry’, we only have room for 325 people maximum.” said Wicks.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner at 6 p.m.