The Toronto Sport Hall of Honour celebrates the exceptional contributions and accomplishments of those who have inspired and/or brought recognition to Toronto through sport.
The Toronto Sport Hall of Honour Selection Panel reserves the right to only select nominees who meet Toronto Sport Hall of Honour criteria, as outlined below in About the Program.
The Toronto Sport Hall of Honour is located at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, a legacy of the 2015 Toronto Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.
Athlete of the Year is awarded to an individual who has achieved outstanding and extraordinary success, demonstrated exemplary values and/or personal characteristics, and made a defining contribution to his/her sport and/or community.
The Builder award recognizes an individual or organization who has made a meaningful contribution to amateur sport as a leader, advocate or agent of change.
The ‘City of Sport’ – Lifetime Achievement award recognizes the outstanding contribution of a sport leader or organization who exemplifies sport values as demonstrated by groundbreaking organizational leadership, innovative practices, influential communications, cutting-edge sport marketing or positioning of the sport sector.
Coach of the Year is awarded to a coach in either a professional or amateur sport who has achieved outstanding and extraordinary success, demonstrates exemplary values and/or personal characteristics, and makes a defining contribution to his/her sport and/or community. This person possesses the qualities associated with performance excellence and sport achievement.
The Community Sport Volunteer Awards recognize adults and youth who have made a significant impact on community sport in Toronto through their ongoing volunteer efforts as a coach, official and/or sport administrator.
The Corporate Builder award recognizes an organization/corporation that has made a meaningful contribution to amateur sport as a leader, advocate, change agent or builder.
This award recognizes the accomplishments of an individual, group, organization or volunteer that has made a significant impact in sport by fostering an inclusive culture and/or creating opportunities for Toronto’s diverse communities. This award is granted for contributions in the areas of capacity building, policy development, partnerships and engagement with underserved communities that use sport to advance the principles of access and equity.
The Sport Legend award recognizes an individual who, by their achievement and example are considered to have had the capacity to inspire Torontonians. An individual, who through extraordinary sporting accomplishments, has left an indelible mark on the fabric of sport in Toronto.
Team of the Year is awarded to any two or more individuals competing as a single entry in either professional or amateur sport who have achieved outstanding and extraordinary success, demonstrated exemplary values and/or admirable characteristics, and made a defining contribution to their sport and/or community.
Born in Egypt, Shady Elnahas emigrated to Canada at 12 years old and settled with his family in Toronto. Shady began practicing judo when he was four, after seeing his older brother get involved in the sport. He is a dedicated and decorated judoka, appreciating the sport for both its physical and mental strength. Shady moved to Montreal to train with the national judo team and continue his passion for the sport. He continues to hold Toronto in high esteem as his home club, proudly representing the city on the international stage.
Shady began representing the country in 2018 and has continued to have celebrated successes in judo across the world. In 2021, Shady secured his first Grand Slam title in Tbilisi, and a bronze medal in the 2021 World Championships. The following year, Shady secured a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
2023 proved to be a rewarding and challenging year. Fighting through injuries from broken bones to torn ligaments, Shady persevered and competed despite these setbacks. Shady competed in the Abu Shabi Grand Slam and won the bronze medal. Days later, he travelled to Santiago and won gold for Canada at the 2023 Pan Am Games. Shady is currently ranked third worldwide in judo and has set his focus on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Fay De Fazio Ebert, from Toronto’s East York neighbourhood, discovered her passion for skateboarding at the age of eight. She quickly became a regular at local skate parks, with favourites including Vanderhoof Skatepark, Beach Skatepark and East York Skatepark. Within a year of picking up skateboarding, Fay was competing in major events, such as the Vans Park Series and the World Skate Park World Championships in 2019.
Her dedication to skateboarding remained unwavering. In 2023, at 13 years old, she clinched gold in park skateboarding at the Santiago Pan Am Games, making her the youngest Canadian medalist. Notably, this victory marked the inaugural year for women’s skateboarding at the Pan Am Games. Fay’s unparalleled performance, earning scores of 82.71 and 84.66 in successive runs, sealed her triumph.
Fay persists in her competitive skateboarding pursuits. At 14 years old, her aspirations now extend to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she is likely to become one of the youngest contenders. Balancing training with the typical experiences of a teenager, Fay embodies a remarkable blend of passion and perseverance.
For thirteen years, Franck Koffi has dedicated himself to the Special Olympics, representing both Team Canada and Team Ivory Coast. While engaged in soccer and athletics, it is on the basketball court where he truly excels. Since 2017, he has been a valued member of the Etobicoke Stingers basketball team.
Among his proudest moments was his selection to participate in the National Basketball Association Cares Special Olympics Unified Basketball Game during the 2017 All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. In 2019, he continued his journey by competing in the Special Olympics Ontario Basketball Qualifier, where his team secured third place in the local competition.
However, Franck’s crowning achievement came in 2023 at the Special Olympics World Summer Games, where he and his team secured gold in the traditional five versus five basketball competition against South Africa. Through his determination, enthusiasm, and true sportsmanship, Franck played a pivotal role in clinching the top spot in this international event.
For Franck, the Special Olympics community has become an indispensable part of his social life, with the friends he has made through the organization becoming like family. He demonstrates selflessness on the court, as he often sacrifices scoring opportunities to ensure his teammates have a chance to shoot on net.
Jesse Zesseu’s journey with cerebral palsy began a result of a stroke at birth, leaving him with 75% function on his right side. Initially unaware of para-athletics, Jesse had long been passionate about track and field competing against able-bodied individuals. While working as an advocate for cerebral palsy, he discovered para-sport, and quickly learned his condition made him eligible to compete.
Undergoing a classification process, Jesse found his category in para-athletics and swiftly transitioned into training for international competitions. In 2023, he made his mark as a finalist in the Para World Championships and clinched podium spots twice at the Santiago Para Pan Am Games. His achievements included a bronze in T37 long jump at 5.78 metres and a silver in F37 discus with a 52.32 metres throw, setting Canadian records in both events.
Jesse’s success continued with a gold medal in the Canadian Championships in F37 discus, where he set a new national record at 54.81 metres. Within a year, Jesse rose to prominence in para-sports, and is aiming for future success at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. His dedication to training fuels his ambition to stand atop the podium once again.
Sheriauna Haase’s journey defies limitations imposed by her limb difference. She was born with a congenital limb reduction below the elbow. She faced numerous challenges in her upbringing; however, her resilience and determination propelled her towards her dreams, pursuing her passions in acting, dance, and athletics.
In 2023, Sheriauna marked her debut at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris, securing fifth place in the T47 100 metres race with a Canadian record-breaking time of 12.42 seconds. At 17 years old, after months of rigorous training, she became the youngest para-athletics team member for Canada at the 2023 Santiago Para Pan Am Games where she clinched bronze medals in both the T47 100 and 200 metres races, crossing the finish line in 12.56 and 25.65 seconds, respectively.
Beyond her athletic endeavours, Sheriauna serves as a Youth Ambassador for Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, a facility she has been associated with since she was young. As the face for the Capes for Kids campaign, she aimed to increase fundraising efforts and foster conversations surrounding childhood disability and inclusion.
Under Ryan Dinwiddie, the Toronto Argonauts continued to secure new successes in 2023 after winning the 2022 Grey Cup. In his third season as head coach, Ryan’s relentless dedication propelled the team to new heights. Despite falling short of the championship, the Argonauts achieved record-breaking success in their 150th season, securing first place in the eastern division for the third consecutive year, last accomplished in the early 1980s. Under Ryan, they set a Canadian Football League (CFL) record by clinching the division title with six games left in the regular season, the earliest in league history. For his exceptional coaching in 2023, Ryan received the CFL Annis Stukus Trophy for Coach of the Year.
Originally from California, Ryan transitioned from playing in the National Football League (NFL) in the United States and Europe to the CFL in 2006, where he played for Winnipeg and Saskatchewan before retiring in 2012. Continuing his football journey, he joined the coaching staff with Montreal and Calgary. Ryan eventually landed the head coach position with the Toronto Argonauts in 2019, where his passion and expertise continue to shape the team’s success.
The women’s Seneca Sting Varsity Soccer team made history during the 2023-2024 season. With a remarkable regular season record of 9-1, conceding only four goals while netting 86, they set the stage for a formidable postseason campaign. In pursuit of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championship gold, they navigated through each challenge with determination.
In the championship match against the reigning champion Humber Hawks, the Sting emerged victorious with a score of 3-1, reclaiming the gold for Seneca for the first time since 2014. Their stellar performance throughout the season earned them several accolades, including Best Defensive Team, Scoring Champion, Player of the Year, All-Canadian (Shanice Alfred), Soccer Championship All-Stars (Jessica Shears and Carley Uddenberg), and Championship MVP (Rebekah Lee).
Their triumph went national as they competed in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) championship, where they remained unbeaten in post-season play against the nation’s top collegiate teams. In the gold medal showdown, a single goal from Emma Gattoni secured their victory which earned Emma Gattoni Player of the Match. Noteworthy recognitions also extended to Jordan Burke, Rebekah Lee, and Jessica Shears as Championship All Stars, and Yoana Peralta Fernandez earned accolades as Championship Most Valuable Player, cementing the Sting’s legacy as the first Ontario school to clinch a CCAA title.
Andy Higgins dedicated decades of his life to advancing sport development. His coaching experience spanned over 40 years at the university and high school levels, and beyond. After graduating from the University of Toronto’s School of Physical and Health Education in 1959, he taught physical education at Monarch Park Collegiate in Toronto.
In 1970, Higgins pioneered the first formal coaching certification program in Canada. In 1971 he founded the U of T Track Club for men and later expanded to include the women’s program in 1974. Under his guidance, these track clubs secured 21 Ontario University Athletics track titles, six Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union titles, and 21 national cross-country medals. Several of the athletes he coached went on to earn medals at the Olympics and World Championships.
Beyond coaching, Higgins was a trailblazer in establishing programs that set standards for best practices in coaching. He founded the Coaches Association of Ontario and the Canadian Professional Coaches Association, later evolving into the Coaches of Canada. He served as the first Director of the National Coaching Institute for The Canadian Sport Institute Ontario until 2012. Higgins played a pivotal role in shaping foundational principles for coaches across Ontario and Canada.
Variety Village traces its roots back to 1948 when it initially opened its doors in Scarborough as a school designed for boys aged 16 to 18 with physical disabilities. As one of the largest accessible and inclusive facilities in Toronto and Ontario promoting sport, fitness, training and recreation, Variety Village opened the fieldhouse in 1981 then aquatics wing in 1989 becoming a place / space for everybody to play, participate or compete in physical activities and competitive sports.
Over the years, Variety Village has been a training ground for countless athletes, offering programs ranging from swimming, athletics, weightlifting, wheelchair basketball, Tae Kwon Do, and VOLT hockey. Renowned for its accessible design, all amenities were built to promote access, and inclusive participation for people of all ages and abilities attracting visitors and guests from around the world to learn more and offer inclusive initiatives in their communities.
The organization’s impact extends far beyond its walls, with athletes and coaches representing Variety Village at the summer Paralympic Games, Special Olympics Games, and local and provincial parasport competitions. Through Variety’s unwavering commitment to creating opportunities to increase access, awareness and universal design, Variety Village / Variety – the Children’s Charity (Ontario) supports individuals, families, schools, and community organizations to ensure everyone feels welcome.
Nike Canada has been unwavering in their commitment to breaking down barriers of access to sport. In 2021, Nike partnered with the City of Toronto to launch the innovative Play Mobile program. This sport development initiative aims to increase access and participation, offering over 30 sports and activities. The program prioritizes Neighbourhood Improvement Areas to support equitable access to sport across the city. Comprised of three vans, Play Mobile travels to parks and community centres, with free sport opportunities to participants of all ages and skill level. Nike has outfitted these vans with a range of quality equipment, so participants have positive experiences in sport.
In addition to Play Mobile, Nike addresses the gender gap in sport participation through their comprehensive Made to Play initiative. Made to Play is the company’s commitment to create equitable access to sport for all kids, with a focus on girls and youth from underrepresented communities. Nike continuously builds bridges with stakeholders and grassroots organizations across Toronto to expand opportunities for girls’ participation and increase representation in coaching. They have developed essential coaching resources including the Coaching Girls Guide and Coaching for Belonging to empower partner agencies to deliver the Made to Play mission. Nike’s annual Coaches Summit brings together coaches from various organizations to exchange ideas on how to best support female athletes in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment. The initiative includes a Community of Practice, uniting organizations to collaborate and share best practices to overcome barriers faced by women and girls in sports. Nike actively strives to play sports more accessible and inclusive for all.
Ken and Paulette Ormsby first met through figure skating and quickly became lifelong partners both on and off the ice. In 1961, they won the gold medal at the Junior Canadian Championships and secured bronze in both the Canadian and North American Championships. In 1963, they won gold in the Canadian and North American Championships, and bronze in the World Championships.
Their success continued in 1964 with another gold in the Canadian Championships and a silver at the World Championships. Though this marked their final competitive appearance, their devotion to figure skating continued as they transitioned into professional figure skating. They joined the Ice Follies and started performing internationally. On the same day they joined the group, the pair announced their engagement and have been together ever since.
In 1973, they began coaching at the Scarborough Figure Skating Club, shaping the next generation of skaters in Toronto and Scarborough. Ken and Paulette have retired after 50 years of dedication to the sport. They leave behind legacy of passion and excellence in figure skating.
Doug Hamilton discovered his passion for rowing at the Toronto Argonaut Rowing Club and went on to achieve remarkable success on the international stage. In 1982, Doug earned two gold medals in the single scull at the World University Rowing Championships. At the 1984 Olympics, Doug competed in Canada’s quadruple scull crew which won a bronze medal. The following year, Doug and his quadruple scull crew made national history by winning the first-ever gold for Canada at a World Rowing Championship. At the 1986 and 1987 World Rowing Championships, his quadruple scull crew won two more bronze medals.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Doug’s passion for rowing and amateur sport extended into volunteer roles alongside his career as a lawyer. From 1989 to 1997, he served as Vice President of High Performance for Rowing Canada Aviron, playing a pivotal role in shaping the Canadian team that won eleven rowing medals at those two Olympics – more than any other country.
Doug’s dedication to sport continued as he chaired the Canadian Sport Centre Ontario (later Canadian Sport Institute Ontario) in Toronto from 1998 to 2010. Doug also played key roles in Toronto’s 2008 Olympic bid and in the 2015 Pan/Para Pan Am Games bid and organizing committees. For example, Doug was instrumental in the development of the legacy plan for those Games, which included the establishment of the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.
Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons has had a legendary career in Toronto with the Argonauts. After two years in the National Football League (NFL), he brought his talents to the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1989 as a running back and return specialist. Michael earned the nickname ‘pinball’ for his dynamic running style. With the team, he earned three Grey Cup victories, and was recognized with two CFL All-Star selections and a CFL Most Outstanding Player award. Michael set a CFL record for most combined yards over his career with 25,438, and in a single season with 3,840 in 1997.
Michael retired from playing in 2000 and became head coach for the Toronto Argonauts until 2007. With his guidance, the team earned another Grey Cup in 2004. With 68 regular season coaching wins, Michael ranks second in team history. Since 2007, he has held various administrative roles for the team, including President, Chief Executive Officer, Vice-Chairman, and, most recently, General Manager since 2019. Under his leadership, the Argonauts have claimed another three Grey Cups.
His achievements have earned him a place in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Additionally, Michael was awarded the Order of Sport in 2016. His jersey number, 31, is one of four jerseys to be retired by the team. The Pinball Clemons Foundation was founded in 2007 and provides marginalized and racialized youth with educational resources and options to integrate into the mainstream of society.
Kirk Brooks has worked diligently to mentor youth athletes of colour, providing barrier-free hockey opportunities for more than 30 years. In 1992, Kirk co-founded Ontario’s Black Hockey Federation (also known as the Black Hockey School) with the goal of creating a safe and inclusive space for his son and other youth. The organization has since evolved, eventually being renamed as SKILLZ HOCKEY. The organization has featured many renowned National Hockey League players of colour as instructors.
SKILLZ HOCKEY offers diverse programming, including tournaments and development programs, aimed at enhancing sports skills and fostering confidence and capability among minority youth.
Kirk is also a co-founder of Seaside Minor Hockey Association, a registered non-profit organization that provides quality hockey instruction in Scarborough. The association works to remove barriers that restrict participation in hockey for equity deserving children and youth of colour. It brings diversity to the Greater Toronto Hockey League system through its diverse executive board, with 95% of members from diverse backgrounds. Through his tireless efforts, Kirk Brooks has profoundly impacted the lives of countless young athletes, championing diversity and equity in the world of hockey.
Stephen Bialowas has been committed to wheelchair basketball, since starting his coaching journey in 1984 while volunteering at Variety Village. He has over 30 years of coaching experience at the local, national, and international levels. In 2001, he joined the Canadian Junior National Team as an assistant coach and supported their second consecutive gold medal win at the world junior championships. As assistant coach for the Senior Women’s National Team (SWNT) in 2002, Stephen helped secure a world championship title. In 2004, he helped the SWNT earn a bronze medal at the Athens Paralympic Games.
Stephen was named head coach of the Men’s Under 23 (U23) National Team in 2005, placing sixth in the world junior championships. He went on to lead Team Ontario in 2007 and helped the team secure second place at the Canada Games. From 2007 to 2012 he guided Variety Village to three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze in the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League Open Finals. Returning as head coach for the Men’s U23 National Team in 2013, they again placed sixth at the world championships.
At Variety Village, Stephen has started several teams including the para ice hockey team, VOLT hockey team, and swim team. Stephen commits his spare time to mentoring new coaches, creating program plans, and coaching curriculum, and introducing families to sport and recreation.
In 2015, Stephen served as interim head coach for Team Canada, leading the team to a silver medal in the Toronto Parapan Am Games, silver in the Americas Challenge, and fourth place in the Lakeshore Cup in Birmingham, Alabama.
Vicki Keith has transformed her passion for long-distance swimming into a platform for supporting children and youth with disabilities. She gained global attention in 1985 with a 19 kilometer record-setting butterfly stroke swim in Lake Ontario, followed by the first double crossing of the lake in 1987. In 1988, she became the first person to cross all five Great Lakes. She retains the record for completing this feat in a remarkable 61 days. She then went on to set world records in crossings of Sidney Harbour, the English Channel, Catalina Channel, Lake Winnipeg, Lake Ontario and Juan De Fuca using the butterfly stroke. For all her long-distance swimming, Vicki claimed 17 world records.
Alongside her remarkable swimming achievements, Vicki dedicated her time coaching children with disabilities at Variety Village from 1987 to present. Her fundraising efforts have raised over one million dollars for Variety Village through long-distance swims, with a significant portion allocated to the Variety Village Sunshine Pool in Toronto.
Additionally, Vicki has volunteered on the board of directors for Variety Village and Ontario Place. Her tireless efforts have been recognized with over 41 honours, including being named to the Order of Ontario in 1990 and the Order of Canada in 1992.
Robert Singleton has had an expansive career in sport and entertainment and is the heart of the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. Robert was appointed as the inaugural Managing Director and first employee of the corporation in 2014, tasked with building a team of staff to open the facility and build a lasting legacy.
As a key venue for the 2015 Toronto Pan and Parapan Am Games, the Centre hosted seven events, and has since established itself as a premier location for high performance and community sports competitions. Over the past decade, Robert has expertly balanced the diverse needs of athletes, University of Toronto students, and Toronto community members, all while overseeing a team of over 300 full- and part-time staff.
Robert also served as Vice President for Molson Coors Canada from 1997 to 2004, where he led operations for the Molson Indy Racing Series in Toronto and Vancouver. As General Manager and Vice President of San Jose Grand Prix in 2005, he oversaw the development of the San Jose Grand Prix Cityscape Circuit. As Senior Vice President of Parc Downsview Park Inc, he transformed the park into a renowned sports and events venue, hosting iconic music festivals and various sports leagues.
Robert contributed significantly to the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Hockey Championship in Toronto. He volunteered as a member of the host organizing committee and head of the Logistical Committee, showcasing his unwavering dedication to promoting Toronto’s assets on the international stage. As told by his staff, Robert’s best skill is how much he cares – for the organization, but more importantly for the people that help to make it all possible, wherever he is.