NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH SPORTS HALL OF FAME
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The Guelph Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors is pleased to announce the names of the 2019 inductees who will be celebrated at a ceremony this May.
This year’s inductees are Charlie Barnes (athlete), Casey Cooper (athlete), Albert Tschirhart (builder), Wayne Marshall (official), and in the team category the 1975 Guelph Ingrams Fastball Team.
The induction ceremony will take place during the annual Kiwanis Sports Celebrity Dinner on Wednesday, May 15 at the Italian Canadian Club. Tickets are on sale now at $90 per adult and $40 for students 17 years of age and younger.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 519-822-1260 extension 2033 or email [email protected].
Athlete – Charlie Barnes
Charlie Barnes competed in many track and field races throughout high school and university. In 1957, his track team, Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute, won the Toronto high school city championship. From 1958 to 1961 at McGill University he also won many track races.
It was not until 1999, at age 62, that Charlie competed in his first triathlon race at Kelso Lake in Milton. He loved the competition so he continued to compete in longer triathlon races.
In 2003 tragedy hit his family. His son-in-law, who was a type one diabetic, tragically died of hypoglycemia at age 40. Three weeks later his seven-year-old grandson was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Charlie decided, that year, to run the Toronto Marathon and raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Supporters of his race donated $6,500.
Every summer, for 15 years, he continued to compete in triathlons, run marathons and cycle in 100 mile rides asking people to support his races by donating to JDRF. In 2009 he cycled in an eight rider relay from Halifax to Victoria for JDRF, and by 2017 he had raised more than $100,000.
During this time Charlie qualified three times for a place on Team Canada to race in the International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Finals. Each year, striving for a podium finish. In 2011 in Beijing he placed fifth of nine in his age group 70 to 74. In 2013, in London, United Kingdom, he placed fourth of 20 in his age group 75 to 79. In 2017 in Rotterdam he made it to the podium winning the bronze medal in his age group 80 to 84!
Charlie is relentless as an athlete and a fundraiser for causes that are close to his heart. In 2018, in the Tour de Guelph cycle ride, he rode 50 kilometres (in the pouring rain) in support of the Guelph General Hospital and local Rotary projects, and was the third highest fundraiser.
Overall Charlie is an inspiration, mentor, and supporter of triathletes of all ages. He was a founding member and coach of the Guelph Triathlon Club, served on its executive for two years, helped with TriKids races in Fergus and Elora and always willing to help out as a volunteer and mentor.
Most notably, Charlie demonstrates that it is never too late in life to get involved in sport, to compete, and reach audacious goals. His next goal in the World Triathlon race is “Gold in 2022” when he will be 85!
Athlete – Casey Cooper
The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) is the top level baseball league in Ontario, and the 2018 season will mark the IBL’s 100th season. The IBL is the fifth longest continually operated baseball league in the world.
Casey Cooper was a pitcher with the Guelph Royals in the IBL from 1994 to 2003. With Casey, the Guelph Royals won two IBL League Championships in 1997 and 2003. Highlights of Casey’s career with the Guelph Royals and Junior Royals are:
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1991 Junior Intercounty Pitcher of the Year
- 1991 Junior Intercounty Rookie of the Year
- 1992 Junior Intercounty Pitcher of the Year
- 1994 and 1995 IBL Pitcher of the Year
- 1994 and 1995 Guelph Royals MVP
- 1994 Ted Earley Memorial trophy winner
- 1994 Top ERA IBL
- IBL All-Star 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001 (five times)
- GP: 112, W:59, L:27, IP: 770, ERA: 3.29
- 8th all time in career wins
- 17th all time in career games played
- 7th all time in career innings pitched
In addition, in 2018, the IBL celebrated its 100th season by announcing the top 100 IBL players of all time. Casey was named as one of the Top 100 players out of 16,000 athletes who have played in the IBL over the past 100 years.
Casey also had a distinguished college career south of the border with a career record of 18–4 playing for nationally ranked Flagler college (Florida) and powerhouse Dallas Baptist University (Texas) receiving numerous pitcher of the week awards.
Builder – Albert Tschirhart
Albert Tschirhart has had an exceptional impact on sport in Guelph, Ontario, and Canada. Albert recently retired from his teaching career with the Wellington Catholic District School Board, but continues to demonstrate incredible dedication to athletics.
As athletics director at Our Lady of Lourdes High School (2008–2017), he also coached cross country, wrestling, and track and field (1978–83, 1986–2017). Through his work at the high school, he became a coach at the Guelph Track and Field Club from 1983 until the present. His dedication to sport led to his appointment into the following roles:
- Athletics Ontario, Western Region President 1992–2000
- Athletics Ontario Board Member 1992–2007, 2014
- Sport Competition Chairman Ontario Summer Games, Guelph 2001
- Athletics Ontario, President 2002–2007
- Athletics Canada, Board of Directors 2008–2009
- Guelph Track and Field Club, President 1980–present
- D10 Athletic Association, President 2015–2016
- XC/Track and Field Meet Director, Niagara Catholic Athletic Association 2017
In addition to these roles, Albert has convened a long list of national and provincial championships and was recently hired as the competitions director for the 2020 Masters’ Games in Toronto. As a builder, Albert has influenced and developed many top athletes from Guelph and continues to contribute his incredible experience and knowledge at the international level.
Official – Wayne Marshall
Wayne Marshall is a life-long member of the Guelph community who played a significant role in the mentorship and development of many professional hockey referees from Guelph. Wayne became a member of the Guelph Hockey Referees Association (GHRA) in the mid 1960s where he served in roles of chairman of Entertainment Committee, Rules and Deportment Committee treasurer, vice-president and president from 1977 to 1979. In 1979 he received an Honourary Life Membership in the GHRA. Wayne officiated in Guelph Minor Hockey from 1957 to 1988 and then advanced to the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). With the OHA, he officiated Junior B, Junior C and Junior D in addition to university and college hockey.
He moved up the ranks to officiate OHL hockey from 1964 to 1980 and officiated many international games involving Russia, Norway, Sweden and Czechoslovakia and Japan.
Wayne had an incredible influence on the progression of many officials. With testimonials from top officials including Bill McCreary, Mel McPhee, and Ron Asselstine, it is apparent that many see their success due to the mentorship and guidance of Wayne. As stated by Ron Asselstine, “Wayne was given the opportunity to officiate in the professional leagues, but turned down those offers to remain in Guelph with his family, his work and to officiate and mentor young officials who wanted to advance to the highest level. I was one of those officials who made it to the pro ranks because of dedicated men, like Wayne, in the GHRA.”
Team – 1975 Guelph Ingrams Fastball Team
From 1970 until the mid 1980s, the Guelph Ingrams Fastball Team was a fixture in the Guelph sports scene. Playing Friday nights at Exhibition Park, the Guelph Ingrams entertained the city while winning many championships over the 14 years of their existence. The 1975 Guelph Ingrams team was not only the first Ingrams team to win the Inter-City Fastball League (IFL) championship, but was the first ever Guelph team to win the IFL championship, the premier fastball league in Ontario.
The team finished first in the league, winning the pennant with a record of 22 wins and six losses and Pitcher Ron Robinson led the way with 14 wins and two losses, capturing the MVP of for league. The Ingrams went on to win three more times in 1976, 1978 and 1979 and played in the IFL until 1984.
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