2011 VETERAN INDUCTEES

Winnipeg, MB – One championship football team and the inaugural inductee for the sport of cricket will be honoured at the Sport for Life Gala on April 28, 2011. “The Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame is very excited to be a part of Sport Manitoba’s Sport for Life Gala,” said Hall of Fame Board President Don Pincock. “This is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the induction of a worthy individual and another national championship team from Manitoba.”

 

The team to be inducted is the 1963 St. James Rams, winners of the Canadian Senior (Intermediate) Football Championship when they defeated the London Lords by a score of 16-14. Former Blue Bomber great Bud Tinsley was the Head Coach and the team boasted great local talent including QB Wayne Hinkel and the backfield of Dennis Liebrecht, Billy Shields and Ernie Kyliuk.

 

“They were yet another great championship squad from a golden era of amateur and professional football in Manitoba in the late 50’s and 1960’s,” said Veteran Selection Committee Chair Sam Fabro.

Ronald Turnbull is to be honoured posthumously in the All Round category for the sport of cricket. This pioneer of the sport began his cricket playing career in 1924 at the age of 12 and was one of only two Canadians to play against all three Marleyborne Cricket Club of England in international play in 1937, ’51 and ’59). The former President of the Manitoba Cricket Association has a trophy named after him that the MCA awards annually to the top junior player in the province.

 

The Hall of Fame would ask the public’s assistance in locating members of the 1963 Rams or their surviving relatives. Please contact Rick Brownlee as per below.