By Vivian Collings

There’s something in the water in Haliburton County.

The Highlands have long been a place to foster excellent athletes who would go on to have successful careers on and off the ice, field, and court.

The Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame will celebrate its second group of inductees on Saturday, May 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the AJ LaRue Arena in Haliburton. 

In total, six athletes, four builders, and two teams will be recognized for their outstanding achievements as athletes and coaches.

Teams

This year is the first year for an outstanding achievement award to be given to a local team.

The Haliburton County Red Wolves Special Olympics Ontario team will be awarded for outstanding achievement “for their team spirit and camaraderie,” said a HH Sports Hall of Fame press release. “Athletes and volunteers benefit from the enhanced sense of belong that results from supporting and participating in meaningful sports activities.

The Red Wolves participate in bowling, curling, softball, shuffleboard, golf, and bocce.

Second, all members of the HHSS 1974 Redmen football team will be traveling far and wide to attend the ceremony to receive their award.

“The coaching staff, Bob Colliver and Gary Brohman, were intentional about building a football program that could succeed at the regional level. More important was their goal of creating opportunities for as many school athletes as possible.

The HHSS team headed to Lakefield College for the 1974 COSSA Single A championship game. 

The Redmen came home with a 24 to 16 win. 

“Their success paved the way for an era of distinction for the HHSS football program, now called the Red Hawks, which accumulated many more championships in coming years.”

Athletes

Kate Campbell, Scott LaRue, Colin Newell, Greg Newell, Mark Robinson, and Gary Vasey will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.

Kate Campbell was awarded the first and only HHSS gold medal at the 1998 OFSAA championship in the 300 metre hurdles. The track star is now a producer, writer, and director.

Scott LaRue had an outstanding hockey career, and was first scouted by the Montreal Canadiens and next the Detroit Red Wings.

He was star defenceman for Woodbridge, Weston, and then Whitby Dunlops.

He played in exhibition games alongside Bobby Orr, and traveled to France to play professional hockey in Europe.

After returning home, he managed the Haliburton Huskies with his father.

Colin and Greg Newell are each receiving an athlete award for baseball.

Greg traveled all over North America while playing in the Ontario Amateur Softball Association, International Softball Congress, Canadian and Eastern Canadian, and North American Fastpitch Association Championships.

Colin played for the LSC league in the 1990s for clubs including Owen Sound, Oshawa, Scarborough, and Bracebridge, receiving numerous awards like his brother.

“The Newell Family lived and breathed fastpitch.” Both credit their parents for sparking a love for the game through a baseball diamond in their Gelert backyard as kids.

Mark Robinson was selected as Rookie of the Year for the Queen’s University Golden Gaels football team.

The team won the Vanier Cup while he controlled the line of scrimmage.

Gary Vasey played for the Minden Monarch hockey team in 1950, helping them win the Ontario Rural Hockey Association C Championships.

He played junior hockey in Lindsay, Scarborough Rangers and Bradford’s Intermediate B team, winning a number of senior championships. 

He became owner, general manager and coach of the Bradford Vasey Juniors.

Builders

Gary Brohman, Jane Heyes, Ken Rosenberg, and Mark Schell Sr. will all be given the builder award.

Gary Brohman is a well-known name in the Highlands. He had a long career in education at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, volunteering to coach hockey, basketball, and track and field, fostering the careers of countless athletes and sports programs.

The HHSS school field is named the Gary Brohman Athletic Field after him.

Jane Heyes was coordinator of the Haliburton Highlands Jackrabbit Cross Country Ski program for 20 years. 

Many graduates of the program went on to compete at OFSAA and varsity levels in cross country skiing.The program continues to flourish today.

Ken Rosenberg competed in golf tournaments throughout Ontario at championship levels.

He acquired his teaching certificate from the Canadian Golf Teachers Association and spent much of his time in the Highlands helping golfers to improve their game.

Mark Schell Sr. is remembered for his lifelong commitment to outdoor and sport programs for Haliburton County youth.

He was a member of the Haliburton Huskies, and went on to coach local teams. He was also a baseball player and Boy Scout leader.

All are welcome at the 2024 Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame ceremony to recognize these outstanding figures in the world of Haliburton Highlands sports.