Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame welcomes 1986 Ticats and more local legends

The Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held Wednesday at a fitting venue for many of the inductees.

The 1986 Ticats is obviously a good story. They won the Grey Cup as heavy underdogs and after losing the big game two years in a row.

This ceremony not only celebrates the athletes many people already know about, but also allows us to learn about others who have accomplished some pretty incredible feats.

You could say Don Robertson has single handedly kept senior hockey alive in Hamilton, but he would never agree to that – despite being inducted into the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame as a builder.

“These things come along and I’m going in as a builder. And as far as I’m concerned, I’m accepting this award on behalf of all the people I’ve been lucky enough to work with,” said Robertson.

That said, he’s proud of what he’s been able to do with the three time Allan Cup champion Dundas Real McCoys and the Ontario Hockey Association.

“We’ve got five teams now and it’s taken a long time. I think we’re building in the right direction. We’ve been lucky enough to have the last two Allan Cups on CHCH TV. It’s now a true national championship again and that was the goal,” said Robertson.

Les Browne is going into the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame twice Wednesday as part of the 86’ Hamilton Tiger Cats Grey Cup winning squad, and as an individual athlete.

“We went to the Grey Cup three years in a row with three different QBs – you know, 84’ and 85’. In 86’ we won it. So I think with these guys behind me, it’s more exciting than going in as an individual,” said Browne.

“Hamilton likes to talk about grit, and loves to talk about blue collar, loves to talk about the underdog and all that. That was that team,” said Scott Radley, Hamilton Spectator sports reporter.

Despite not being from here and playing on other teams around the CFL, Browne embraced Hamilton and calls it home.

“I kind of like the mentality of steel people, right? The Steel City. They speak their mind, they tell you what’s on their mind, they don’t beat around the bush, right? I kind of enjoy that,” said Browne.

Two other local athletes honoured today were bowler Connie Ward and swimmer Patty Thompson.

Ward was dominant at every level, winning provincial and national titles, and has bowled three perfect games.

Thompson grew up in a swimming family, represented Canada at the Olympics and won bronze and silver medals in the 1962 Commonwealth Games.

At the age of 45 Thompson became the oldest woman to swim across Lake Ontario, finishing the feat in 19 hours and 18 minutes.

Many of the 86’ Ticats were also in attendance Wednesday. And just to explain how dominant that Grey Cup winning team was, seven members of that squad are on the Ticats wall of honour.

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