Nanaimo sports fans got a chance to say thanks for the memories.
The Nanaimo Museum’s Sports Hall of Fame held its 2013 induction ceremony on Saturday, adding Margaret Fuller’s curling team, boxing coach Les Varro, field hockey player Sue (Reid) Schellinck and hockey player Gene Carr.
Carr skated in 465 NHL games, mostly with the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, scoring 79 goals and 215 points.
Jim Robertson accepted the plaque, as his friend couldn’t attend the ceremony due to illness.
“He had exceptional love and [it was] a driving force,” Robertson said.
Schellinck, who represented Canada at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, gave a lively acceptance speech, saying she especially appreciated the opportunity to thank family.
Varro, head coach of the Nanaimo Boxing Club for 34 years, was inducted as a builder. Nanaimo Coun. Jim Kipp donned his referee’s outfit so he could raise Varro’s arm. He noted that the coach’s efforts not only built champions, but young men.
“Some of those kids … would have been in trouble if it hadn’t have been for you,” Kipp told Varro. “A builder, a community man and an absolutely honourable person.”
Fuller’s curling rink – the skip teamed with Pat Good, Sylvia Koster and Edna Quinney – won the 1957 Western Canadian championship.
“Usually you don’t set out to try and prove anything in this world,” said Jim Koster, Sylvia’s son. “You fall into it, you’re fortunate, you were led the right way.”
SPORTS SHORTS … Look for more on the 2013 inductees into the sports hall of fame in an upcoming issue of the News Bulletin.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
