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Niagara Falls Thunder 2001-2002 Midget AAA First Row: Francis Dugas, Rick Miller Middle Row: Jonathan Baglieri, Jonathan Pietrangelo, Justin Gigone, Stephen Lazich, Devin Sartor. Back Row: Tony Baglieri (Assistant Coach), David Doig, Mike Stewart, Adam Lukanchoff, Anthony Medico, Bruce Broughton, Adam Garrett, Doug McGowan, Adam Gennings, Josh Mack, Brandon Young, Ryan Gabel, Jarrod Shugg, John Pietrangelo (Head Coach), Tom Bernardi (Trainor). After a middling regular season which saw the Midget AAA team finish in 6th place in their division, the squad caught fire in the playoffs, winning two tightly contested 5-game series in deciding fifth games on the road against St. Catharines and Halton respectively which qualified the team for the OMHA championships in Peterborough. At the OMHA Championship tournament, the team worked their way to a 2-1-1 record, earning a spot in the gold medal matchup with the Quinte Red Devils, the only team to defeat them in the round robin. After scoring an early goal to start the game, the team rode hot goaltending and solid defensive play to hold off Quinte, preserve the shutout and capture gold with a 1-0 win. With that championship victory, the team progressed to the Air Canada Cup National Championship regional tournament, competing against other Ontario Hockey Federation league champions in Timmins, ON. The team competed to a 2-4 record, narrowly missing out on a berth in the bronze medal game. -
1981 Under 13 Boys Ontario Cup Champion Soccer Team First Row: Philip Parlatore, John Maiden, Dean Karachi, Paul Howie, Mustafa Sahin, Rocky Vacca, Mauro Ciampa. Second Row: Peter Mazzone, Robert Desson, Tom Bernardi, Steve Palmer, Wade Fabian, Frank Roperti, Bill Prestia, John Ventresca, Jack Villella. Back Row: Tony Ventresca, Trainer, Coach Antonio Pingue. In 1981, the Under 13 Boys soccer team, sponsored by the Niagara Falls Kiwanis Club, won the Ontario Cup Championship, a competition that included 77 of the top teams from across the province. As a small soccer centre in comparison to the other top tier teams in larger areas such as the GTA, this was an impressive accomplishment, making this the first time the City of Niagara Falls won this championship in this age group. Niagara Falls also won in the U8 age group on the same day and are on the Sports Wall of Fame. Niagara Falls also had two other teams in the final that day in the U10 and U16 who did not win. This was a testament to the player and coaching development by Niagara Falls Boys Soccer Club and their many dedicated volunteers. The team had a remarkable season, winning both the league and playoff championships and several invitational and international soccer tournaments which included competition from the US and other provinces. Unfortunately, the National Championship for this age group was cancelled in 1981, depriving this team from competing for a National Championship which would have included some of the teams from other provinces that it had already defeated in tournament play. -
Gilliam, Poppy Poppy Gilliam began her soccer journey at the age of six with the Niagara Falls Soccer League. She transitioned to the St. Catharines Jets premier soccer team at age sixteen, playing with them for two decades. She served as captain for 15 years, helping to guide her team to numerous Ontario championships. She proudly represented Team Ontario for two years as both defender and forward and was selected to train with the National Development program, competing with the top women across Canada. At A.N. Myer Secondary School, she excelled in soccer, basketball, volleyball and badminton, winning many Zone and SOSSA championships, advancing to OFSSA in both soccer and basketball. She captained numerous teams, served as Student Council and Athletic Council President and won the Excellence in Education award, earning her a spot in the school's Hall of Fame. Poppy attended Brown University, a Division 1 Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island from 1992-1996, where the soccer team was ranked 12th in the country her third year. She was named to the All-Ivy Team, was captain her senior year, and won the Ivy League Championships twice. She also excelled academically with a 4.0 average and was awarded the Brown University Leadership award. In 1997, she played her 5th year of eligibility for Brock University, where they advanced to the OUA championships, and she won the President's Award. Poppy has dedicated over 30 years to coaching both school and travel teams, ran the 'Just for Kicks' summer camp in Niagara Falls, and in 2022, co-led soccer for the Canada Games held in Niagara. Following her work with the Canada Games, Canada Soccer invited her to assist in running National Soccer Championships, further demonstrating her ongoing influence in the sport. -
Topping, Tim Tim Topping's lengthy career in coaching started with his young son's T-ball team over 40 years ago. Since then, Tim has coached baseball for teams in Niagara ranging from house league to university. Tim has coached 3 Ontario Baseball Association championship winning teams with the Greater Niagara Baseball Association (GNBA): a minor mosquito team that won the provincial title in 1996, a midget team that won in 2005, and a peewee team as assistant coach that won the title in 2014. Tim was also a pitching coach for the Brock University baseball team from 1995 until 1999, his teams winning back-to-back CIBA championships in 1998 and 1999. The GNBA teams that Tim coached have represented Niagara Falls across Ontario. He created the first Niagara Falls baseball team to compete in an American Legion Baseball League, which brought his team to New York, and several American teams to Niagara Falls. His team also played several times in the Freeport Invitational, a large international tournament in Freeport Pennsylvania, where they competed against teams from the US, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Japan. In the off months, Tim held baseball clinics and workshops for both players and coaches while attending clinics himself and improving his coaching levels for the NCCP. He became a member of the GNBA executive while coaching, and remained on the board for 25 years, including a 2-year term as president beginning in 2000. Later, he was privileged to be made a lifetime member of that organization. Tim also served on the NDBA board for over 15 years. Tim received a Niagara Falls Volunteer Recognition award in 1998, and in 2017 he was made a Paul Harris Fellow by the Niagara Falls Rotary Club for his outstanding contributions to his community. Tim continues to be active in baseball. -
Gautier, Shelley Shelley Gautier was a competitive mountain biker in 2001, when she crashed her bike on holiday in Vermont, crushing her helmet and sustaining a severe head injury. Following this, she spent 6 weeks in a coma, and then 8 months in a Toronto rehab learning to walk and talk again. As a result, the right side of her body is affected by hemiplegia (one-sided paralysis). This injury, however, was not the end of Shelley's athletic career. Following her recovery she began competing in disabled sailing, racing across Canada and the United States before switching over to para-cycling. In 2009, Shelley became the first T-1 rider in international para-cycling. She has won a total of nineteen medals in the Union Cycliste Internationale Para-Cycling Road World Championships time trial and road race events, with eighteen of them being gold. Shelley has also competed in multiple Parapan American Games, earning silver medals in 2011 and in 2015. She has also competed in three Paralympic Games: London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, and London 2020, earning a Bronze medal in the women's T-1 time trail in 2016. This made her the only T-1 female para-cyclist from any country in the world to medal at a Paralympic Games. In 2015, Shelley was inducted into the Inaugural Toronto Sports Hall of Honour and awarded the Sports Niagara Para-Athlete of the Year in para-cycling. She competed and was awarded a silver medal in the mixed time trial event at the 2015 Parapan American Games and founded the Shelley Gautier Para-Sport Foundation to allow access to para-sport for people with disabilities. Shelley's cycling career has been outstanding and she continues to complete at the world level and inspires others to do the same. -
Grant, Joe Donald Norman Joseph "Joe" Grant (January 23, 1957 - January 5, 2001) was an exceptional Canadian ice hockey defenceman whose career spanned junior, university, national, and international levels. Born in Sudbury and raised in Niagara Falls, Grant developed his passion for hockey alongside his three brothers, playing junior with the Buffalo Tondas, St. Catharines Black Hawks, and Kitchener Rangers before joining the University on Toronto in 1977. At U of T, Grant was a key member of the 1977-78 Varsity Blues OUAA championship team and earned first-team all-star honours in 1979. He represented Canada at the 1980 and 1984 Winter Olympics. His professional career included playing with Modo in Sweden and serving as a player-coach for Kokudo, where he helped expand the sport's presence in Japan. Returning to U of T in 1982-83, Grant captained the Blues to a first-place finish and OUAA silver medal. Internationally, he was named Best Defenceman at the Pravda Cup tournament in Leningrad. Beyond the rink, he participated in the inaugural Canadian Olympic Academy (COA) in Calgary, represented Canada at the International Olympic Academy in Greece, served as Secretary of Hockey Canada and was a member of the COA athlete selection committee in 1986-87. Grant was inducted in the U of T Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Joe Grant's life reflected excellence and mentorship- a legacy carried forward by the athletes and communities he inspired. He passed away in 2011 at age 53 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. -
Cruikshank, Martha Martha Cruikshank (née Wiliams, Formerly Martin) has devoted her life to sport as an athlete, educator, coach, official, and builder, leaving a lasting impact across Niagara. Growing up in Niagara Falls, she excelled in multiple sports, eaming all-around champion honours at the Lions Aquatic Meet in the 1960's. In basketball, she starred for Maple Street School and Kitchener Street Church, winning a provincial title in 1967. At NFCVI, she received the Girls Athletic Award, Principal's Cup, and captured SOSSA titles in basketball, volleyball, badminton, gymnastics, and track and field. She continued her athletic career at the University of Toronto, competing in varsity basketball and volleyball and earning her Varsity Blue "T" designation. Returning home as an educator, Martha became the first woman Major Head of Physical Education in the Niagara South Board of Education at Stamford Collegiate, later teaching and coaching at both Stamford, Thorold Secondary, and A.N. Myer Secondary School. She led teams in basketball, volleyball, soccer, track, badminton, and golf and served as co-convenor for the 2008 OFSAA badminton Championships. In retirement, Martha has continued her involvement through golf - as a 15 time Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club champion, competing in the Ontario and Canadian Senior Golf Championships and is a certified Golf Ontario and Golf Canada referee, officiating at events including the 2022 Canada Games. Her leadership in organizing women's golf leagues and tournaments has fostered excellence and community across Niagara. Martha is also active as a volleyball referee in local elementary schools and for the Ontario Volleyball Association. Martha Cruikshank's lifelong dedication to sport as a trailblazer, mentor, and competitor- has inspired generations, building opportunities for athletes and strengthening the sporting spirit of Niagara Falls. -
Rapanaro, Giancarlo Giancarlo Rapanaro's football journey began in Niagara Falls at St. Paul Catholic High School and developed into an accomplished collegiate and professional career. From 2006 to 2010, he starred as a linebacker for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, eaming recognition as a two-time CIS All-Canadian and three-time OUA First Team All-Star. In 2010, Rapanaro was awarded the President's Trophy as the OUA's top stand-up defensive player. He concluded his university career with 130.5 tackles and 16.5 sacks, ranking second all-time in Golden Hawks history. His lasting impact on the program earned him selection to Wilfrid Laurier's Team of the Century. Following his university success, Rapanaro was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he participated in training camps and pre-season competition. He went on to extend his professional career internationally, playing in Italy, Finland, and Austria. In 2013, he proudly represented Italy on the international stage, demonstrating both leadership and elite-level performance. Beyond his playing career, Rapanaro has committed to the sport in his hometown, mentoring high school defensive backs and linebackers and sharing the knowledge gained through years of high-level competition. In 2015, his achievements were formally recognized with induction to the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks Hall of Fame. Today, Rapanaro serves his community as a firefighter in St. Catharines. The teamwork, discipline, and camaraderie that defined his football career continue to shape his life and legacy both on and off the field. -
Elliott, Jeremy Jeremy Elliott is a celebrated martial artist, athlete, and mentor whose career spans nearly four decades. Born and raised in Niagara Falls by his single mom Pat, he began martial arts in 1985 and quickly became a dominant competitor, earning a 7th-degree black belt and multiple National Blackbelt League (MBL) World Championships in black belt defense. He has competed internationally, which includes going up against Japanese catch wrestling champion Minoru Suzuki as well as the Super Grands World Games. Elliott's achievements earned him a place in the Sport Karate Museum in Texas alongside legends like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. Named an official "History General", he is one of only Two Canadians to receive this honour. He also received the NBL Diamond Achievement Award in 2006. Elliott also earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and has competed in Abu Dhabi Combat Club submission grappling events. Beyond martial arts, he is well known for his success in pro wrestling, appearing in matches in over 24 states & provinces and earning a spot among the Top 500 wrestlers by Pro Wrestling Insider in 2012 & 2013. In 1999, he founded United Family Martial Arts in Niagara Falls, where he trained generations of students to black belt status and world titles. His mentorship extends beyond sports - he supports youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and launched the "Embrace Our Journey" awareness campaign. Jeremy Elliott's career embodies excellence, mentorship, and inclusion, leaving a profound impact on both martial arts and the Niagara community. -
Baldinelli, Jared Jared Baldinelli's baseball journey began at the age five with the Greater Niagara Baseball Association and grew into a path that carried him from local fields to NCAA Division I play and recognition as an MLB prospect. A standout at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, Jared earned multiple All-Catholic First Team, All-Tonawanda First Team, and All-Western New York First Team selections. In 2012, he was named MVP of St. Joe's Baseball and helped secure the Georgetown Oup Championship. He repeated the feat in 2013, leading the Marauders to another Championship while setting the school's all-time hits record. That season, he led in batting average (444), stolen bases (14), and on-base percentage (565), earning a Gold Glove, and being named an All-WNY Player of the Year finalist. In 2023 Jared was inducted into the St. Joe's Hall of Fame. At. St. Bonaventure University, Jared played four seasons of Division | baseball and served as team captain his senior year. Baldinelli set career highs in 2017 in batting average (.306) and on-base percentage (416). Under his leadership, the Bonnies reached the playoffs for the first time in a decade. He also competed in the PGCBL summer league for the Utica Blue Sox where he set a franchise record in walks (66) while yielding a 309 career batting average. His performance earned him a selection to the 2017 Atlantic 10AII-Draft Team as an MLB prospect. Jared's career reflects exceptional talent, leadership, and dedication - rising from Niagara's community diamonds to success on the national collegiate stage. -
Ladas, Carolyn (St. Angelo) Carolyn (St. Angelo) Ladas is a lifelong Niagara Falls athlete who developed an early passion for sports. She began playing basketball in Grade 9 at Niagara Falls Collegiate and quickly stood out as a talented competitor. Continuing her athletic journey at Niagara College, she became a cornerstone of the Women's Basketball program. As team captain, Carolyn earned multiple accolades, including Female Athlete of the Year in both 1980-81 and 1981-82. She became Niagara College's All-Time Leading Scorer with 778 points, a record that stood for 27 years and consistently ranked among the top scorers in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA), finishing fourth in 1981 with an average of 16.7 points per game. Her achievements also included the Athlete of Distinction, Most Valuable Player, a school letter for varsity basketball, and inducted into the Niagara College Knights Hall of Fame. A multi-sport athlete, Carolyn also excelled in floor hockey, winning an intramural title at Niagara College, and was a standout in fastball, playing for the St. Catharines Darts and Niagara Falls Reg's Candy Kitchen teams. Renowned as both pitcher and batter, she earned MVP honours and led her teams to numerous tournament victories. Her passion for sport extended into coaching, guiding the Deb-San Homes travel midget ladies fastball team to the 1981. Midget Championship and running pitching clinics for young athletes across Niagara. Carolyn Ladas's athleticism, leadership, and dedication have left a lasting legacy, inspiring generations of Niagara athletes to pursue excellence in sport and community. -
Cross, Jeremy Jeremy Cross's lifelong passion for sport has taken him from a standout athlete in Niagara Falls to a nationally recognized leader in the Canadian amateur sport system. A graduate of A.N. Myer Secondary School, Jeremy excelled in multiple sports, earning Male Athlete of the Year honours several times and setting the foundation for a career devoted to athletics, leadership, and mentorship. Since 2018, he has served as Executive Director of the Coaches Association of Ontario, advancing coach education and development province wide. Previously, as Team Manager for Canada's Basketball Senior Men's National Team, he contributed to the program's success and professionalism on the international stage. At the grassroots level, Jeremy has made an equally profound impact. Beginning in 2007 with the Toronto Lords Basketball program, he has guided teams to multiple Ontario Cup championships while creating opportunities for youth from under represented communities. His coaching emphasizes not only athletic performance but also mentorship, empowerment, and personal growth - positively influencing hundreds of young athletes. Jeremy's career exemplifies both excellence and service, bridging the gap between elite and community sport. Through his leadership, integrity, and commitment to developing others, he has strengthened the foundation of coaching in Ontario and left a lasting legacy on Canadian sport. -
Kovac, Sara Sara Kovac has been a stand out athlete from a young age, excelling in volleyball and track and field. A top Ontario competitor, she won OFSAA with her Eden High School volleyball team, placed third in the provincial club championship, and eamed two OFSAA medals in triple jump, setting regional and Southern Ontario records while continually surpassing her personal bests. Kovac earned a full Division I scholarship to Loyola Marymount University in California, where she achieved national success, helping her indoor volleyball team reach the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and winning a West Coast Championship in beach volleyball. After graduation, she competed professionally in Europe, playing in Slovenia and Germany's Bundesliga, and represented Canada at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Her journey has also been defined by remarkable resilience. In April 2022, at the height of her career, Kovac suffered a severe brain injury caused by a cavernous malformation. After weeks in the ICU with a tracheotomy and feeding tube, she faced an intense rehabilitation at Hotel Dieu Shaver, relearning to walk and regaining her independence through determination and grit. Kovac went on to channel her passion and experience into coaching with the Niagara Rapids Volleyball Club, mentoring young athletes to reach their goals. Her story is one of excellence, courage, and perseverance, a powerful example of overcoming adversity and inspiring others to approach sport and life with the same strength and heart that define her remarkable journey. -
Benson, Bob Bob Benson devoted his time, energy, and leadership to growing soccer in Niagara Falls for over 40 years. From 1975 to 2018, his vision and tireless volunteerism transformed opportunities for young athletes, especially girls, laying the foundation for the sport's lasting success in the city. After moving to Niagara Falls in 1976, Bob began coaching and joined the Niagara Falls Soccer Club executive. With two daughters in the game, he became a driving force behind the Niagara Falls Girls Soccer Club, serving on its board for over 20 years as Vice-President, President, and Past President. He expanded house league programs, strengthened the competitive stream, and introduced the club's first technical director position. Bob also helped develop the Kalar Road Sports Park, Niagara's first dedicated soccer facility, which remains central to the sport today. As a coach, Bob led multiple teams to success at Ontario's Top competitive levels, including the Ontario Youth Soccer League. In 2001, he guided one of the first Niagara Falls girls' teams to reach an Ontario Cup final, and his squads earned numerous league and tournament titles. Committed to local development, he fielded exclusively Niagara Falls players - many of whom went on to compete in the NCAA, OUA, Team Ontario, and Team Canada. Beyond club soccer, Bob coached with the Niagara District program for over 15 years, helping identify and mentor elite athletes. Honoured with the national 3M Community Coach Award in 2001, his true legacy lives on in the generations of players whose skills, character, and confiden ce he helped shape. -
Vito Scaringi Sr. Vito Scaringi Sr. has been an executive member of the Niagara Falls Minor Hockey Association (NFMHA) for 24 years and the Greater Niagara Baseball Association (GNBA) for 21 years. He is currently Vice President of the NFMHA (16 years), Vice President of Niagara District Hockey (2 years), and President of the GNBA (15 years). He has contributed countless hours to both organizations and spends an amazing amount of time around the diamond in the summer. Vito also volunteers 18 times a year at the bingo hall to raise money for the NFMHA and GNBA to offset operational costs. During Vito’s time in these leadership roles, the NFMHA and GNBA have seen an increase in participation and minimal increases in registration costs. Many families around the region have benefitted from his hard work and dedication to hockey and baseball. In addition, Vito also regularly volunteers with Ontario Minor Hockey Association and sits on the City of Niagara Falls Recreation Committee. Vito received the George MacPhail Award in 2011, this award recognizes outstanding volunteer service in recreation to the citizens of Niagara Falls. In 2014 he was presented the Doug Austin Award, which recognizes dedicated volunteers for service and accomplishments in Niagara Falls sports. The Niagara Falls Review once named him, “A Volunteer for All Seasons.” Vito spends 365 days a year working to see Niagara youth happy and engaging in sports. He prides himself on trying to keep the kids of Niagara Falls active, out of trouble, and striving for the best versions of themselves, and is thrilled to see that baseball and hockey are thriving in Niagara Falls. -
Niagara Falls Collegiate Vocational Institute 1972 Football Team First Row: Jerry Pasco, Tony Scaringi, Rick Calisina, Joe Wallace. Second Row: Luigi Parri, Bruce Murray, Frank Candeloro, Albert Massi, Coach Aitchison, Jamie Chevers, Tony Cuviello, Tony Costa, Larry Sirianni, Mike Rabishaw. Third Row: Coach Church, Luigi Pietrouisti, Louis Vescio, Joe Palumbo, Joe Murray, Julian Peters, Kenneth Stanley Plata, Zoltan Dohar, Jim Anderson, Tom Mizibrocky, Barry Rabishaw, Otto Roman, Coach Chevers. Fourth Row: Sam Mangiacasale, Tony DiToro, Dave Mesina, Gary Farrington, Brian Rizzo, Ed Seibert, Rino Ferruccio, Vito Forte, Jerry Hunt, Mike McDonnell, John Pizzolato. In 1972 the Niagara Falls Collegiate Vocational Institute (NFCVI) Football Team won the Zone Football Championships. This was the first football Championship team at NFCVI in 14 years. The team went undefeated 8-0, scoring 228 points and allowing only 26 points against over the season. This same team went 0 and 7 in 1969, without scoring a point until the fourth game of the season. The team attribute their success to Coach Aitchison who joined NFCVI in 1971, who believed in his players and inspired them to work hard. That year, NFCVI beat Stamford, who had been the champions since 1958. Coach Aitchison and this team set the stage for several championship football teams in years to come. -
Andrea Vescio Sherry Andrea Vescio Sherry was a standout five-sport athlete at A.N. Myer Secondary School and one of the first athletes inducted into the school’s Athlete Wall of Distinction. Andrea captained the girls basketball, volleyball, and soccer teams, leading each team to multiple Zone and SOSSA Championships. She earned multiple trips to OFSAA with the senior girls basketball soccer teams. Andrea also won multiple SOSSA Championships in both tennis and badminton, playing girls doubles and earned silver and bronze at the OFSAA level. Andrea also served as President of A.N. Myer’s Athletic Council and was named female athlete of the year for all four years at school. She also maintained academic excellence and was awarded the Governor General’s Academic Medal, the top academic distinction given to a secondary school student, reserved for the individual who achieves the highest average in their graduating class. In 2000, Andrea was named to the U13 Team Ontario Soccer roster, playing up an age division. Andrea continued to play club basketball and soccer at a high level, winning Ontario Cup Championships, and multiple League Cup Championships in the Ontario Women’s Soccer League. Her club basketball team also took home silver medals in the top division of the Ontario Basketball Association Championships. Andrea’s soccer prowess earned her a scholarship to attend the University of Buffalo, where she graduated summa cum laude and earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration. During her time as a UB Bull in the Mid-American Conference, she led the D1 team as captain and top goal scorer. She earned multiple accolades including the MAC Presidential Award, two- time Coach’s Award winner, three time All-MAC Academic Team selection, two- time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team selection, and was named MAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week on multiple occasions. Andrea continues to maintain a spot in the team’s record book on the list of top all-time career offensive record holders for both top goals and total points. -
2002 Brock University Men’s Varsity Soccer Team - Niagara Falls Players
David Cuviello | Paul Delano | John Folino | Mike Folino | John Gallo | Brian King | Vince Lepiane In 2002, the Brock University Men’s Varsity Soccer Team won the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (renamed U SPORTS) Men’s Soccer National Championship. Currently, this is the only soccer team in Brock’s history to win this prestigious title. The Brock Badgers beat out the Carleton Ravens 1-0 in the gold medal game in overtime, which was played at Carleton University in Ottawa. Seven players on the championship team were from Niagara Falls, Ontario including: David Cuviello, Paul Delano, John Folino, Mike Folino, John Gallo, Brian King, and Vince Lepiane. -
Quaranta, Sarah Sarah Quaranta was born and raised in Niagara Falls and attended Saint Paul Catholic High School. Sarah played boys A and AAA hockey all the way up to Major Bantam for the Niagara Falls Canucks. She was named Assistant Captain for two years. In grade nine, she made the switch to girls hockey and started playing with the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres, where she was named Captain. In 2009, she was named Niagara Falls Athlete of the year. In 2015, Sarah was selected to play for Canada’s National Women’s U18 Team in Buffalo, NY where she played on the third line and was on the team’s first penalty-killing unit and contributing to a Silver Medal win. Later that same year, Sarah was selected to play for Team Ontario at the Canada Winter Games in Prince George, BC where she helped the team to another Silver Medal win. After graduating from high school, Sarah received a full hockey scholarship and went on to play NCAA Division 1 at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh. She posted her first collegiate point in her very first outing as a Colonial. During her time there she was named female student athlete of the week (2015), named College Hockey America (CHA) rookie of the week, selected for the 2016 All-CHA Rookie Team, and ranked third in CHA rookie points. In 2016-17, she helped her to team to become regular season champions for the first time in program history. That same year she was awarded a championship ring when they won the CHA tournament and competed in RMU’s first NCAA tournament. Sarah managed to balance her studies with her incredible sports career and was named an All-American Scholar in the CHA and Presidential Scholar-Athlete in 2019. She is now a teacher, living and working in the Niagara Region. -
Biamonte, Ralph Dr. Ralph’s interest in horses and the field of horse racing began in the 1950’s in Niagara Falls, where he was employed as a hot walker for horses at Fort Erie Race Track. His passion for horses remained strong, even as he attended dental school and established a dental practice in Niagara Falls (1971-2002). In the midst of running a busy dental office, Ralph pursued his interest in horse racing as an owner, and in 1985 he took the next step and acquired his Thoroughbred Trainers License. Within a few years, Ralph established himself as the top trainer at Fort Erie Racetrack, and was the leading trainer at that track from 1992-1997. In consecutive years, he broke the track record for number of wins in a single season by a trainer. Ralph achieved his 1000th career win in 2013 and currently has 1160 victories while still maintaining a successful stable. These wins include over 20 different “Stakes Race” winners, and Ralph is ranked as a Graded Stakes Winning Trainer. Over the past few decades, Ralph has raced his horses in Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, West Virginia, Florida, and Ohio. He has also enjoyed great success in the field of breeding, and has bred multiple Stakes winning horses of his own. Total purse earning over the course of Ralph’s training career have reached 23 million dollars. He continues to train and race horses in Southern Ontario. -
Yerich, Paul Paul Yerich had a passion for competitive running in all categories of the Sport. During his impressive and prestigious career that spanned over thirty years, he participated in full marathons in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, New York City, Buffalo, and Boston. He also represented Canada at the Berlin, Germany, and Athens, Greece, full marathons. In 2001 and 2004, Paul won the Niagara Casino half marathon and in 2003 he was selected “Runner of the Year” by Track Niagara. In 2015, at the Canadian Masters Championships held in St. Catharines, Ontario, he won three gold medals (200 metre, 400 metre, and 5000 metre). In 2019, at the World Masters Athletic Championships held in Toronto, Ontario, he won two gold medals (800 metre and 1500 metre) and three bronze medals (200 metre, 400 metre, and 5000 metre). In 2003, and 2010, Paul’s team won the “Man-A-Mile” championship event (Niagara-on-the-Lake to Niagara Falls). His career also included many victories in cross country disciplines. Paul credits the coaching, motivation, and support that he received as a member of the Road Runner and Track Niagara Club for his many successes. He was very proud to represent Niagara Falls at the cities and venues where he competed. -
Niagara Falls Anglicans 1935-1936 Women’s Basketball Team In April of 1936, the Niagara Falls Anglicans Women’s Basketball Team brought a new honour home when they won the Ontario Intermediate Church Championship with a final score of 27-26 over the Toronto Silverthorns. The team advanced with several hard-fought victories over the other Ontario Regions to advance to the Championship Final in our home, Niagara Falls. An article from the Niagara Falls Evening Review on April 14th, 1936, stated that the audience members witnessed “one of the most exciting contests ever played in Niagara Falls,” the night of the game. Forward Vida Russ and Guard Edith Dunk led the winning team with 9 and 4 points respectively. Other members of the team were Forward McKay with 4 points, Centre Preston with 2 points, Guards Chambers with 6 points, and Subs Upton with 2 points, and Mann, Grant, and Bruce. The Head Coach was Bert Jennings and the Manager was Louis Carter. A trailblazing team of women in sport. -
Pickering, Michael Mike was born in Toronto, and moved to Niagara Falls in 1986 with his family. In 2000, Mike found the competitive sport of Trap Shooting. Mike became a member of the Thorold Conservation Club, the Hamilton Gun Club, and the Grand Island Rod and Gun Club. In 2001, he joined the Amateur Trap Association. Over the next 19 years, Mike continued to compete and win several championships. In 2006, 2008, and 2011 he won different class shoots in New York State. In 2014, and 2017, he won the Class A Singles championship in the Atlantic Provincial shoot. Mike also won several Ontario Championships in singles, doubles, handicap, and team shoots along with the Canadian Title in the Single 16 Yard 200A Division. Mike's biggest accomplishment was in 2008, when he became the Canadian Trap Shooting Champion. In this competition, Mike shot a perfect 200 out of 200 clay targets which fly through the air at more than 90 miles per hour; he shot 74 out of 75 in the finals. Mike loved the sport of Trap Shooting, and actively promoted the sport. -
Dallman, Kevin Having a Toronto Maple Leafs and Olympic player for an uncle, Kevin Dallman has always been fascinated with the sport of ice hockey. As a youth, he competed in the prestigious 1995 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament as a part of the Niagara Falls Minor Thunder. Following a successful minor hockey career, he was called up as an under-age player for the Chippawa Riverhawks Jr. C team in 1996-97. He then moved onto a stint with the Niagara Falls Canucks Jr. B club and assisted them in bringing home the Sutherland Cup Championship in 1998. He had a successful junior career with the OHL Guelph Storm beating all the Guelph Storm records. Undrafted, he signed his first professional contract with the NHL and the Boston Bruins in 2002. He played for the Providence Bruins, Boston’s AHL affiliate, for three years, and then made his debut with the Boston Bruins in the 2005-06 season. From there, Kevin played for the St. Louis Blues, the Los Angeles Kings, and the Manchester Monarchs, and eventually made the difficult decision in 2008 to leave the NHL and move his family to Kazakhstan to play in the Astana Barys of the newly-formed KHL. In his first season there, he beat all the defensive scoring records in the league and was appointed team captain barely 15 games in. He finished his first season with 28 goals and 30 assists for a total of 58 points in 53 games. A favourite amongst fans, Kevin was the captain of the team for four years and earned four consecutive all-star spots. He was so good on the ice that the Kazakhs once asked him to join their national team and loved the country so much he became a Kazakhstani citizen in 2010. After 11 years of playing in the KHL between the Astana Barys and the SKA Saint Petersburg in Russia, Kevin announced his retirement from the league on August 5th, 2019. He remains in the top 10 all-time point leaders in the KHL but will never forget his home and family roots in Niagara Falls. -
Pyne, Keith Dr. Dr. Keith Pyne was born in Sommerville, MA and moved to Niagara Falls in 1965 as a baby, where he remained until 2012. Keith graduated from Stamford Collegiate and attended the University of Guelph, where he played on the basketball team. After university, Keith continued his studies at Chiropractic College in Dallas, Texas. Since that time, Keith has had a long and very successful career in sports medicine and has treated countless athletes from amateurs, to professionals, through Olympians. Dr. Pyne is currently a consultant with the Los Angeles Clippers (NBA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB). Dr. Pyne has developed a predictive injury platform using an IP data collection, called PMotion, with the mission to be the global leader in performance health and treatment for athletes. PMotion is currently used in Premier soccer, MLB, and NBA. Dr. Pyne has a long resume of involvement and success with professional sports teams. In particular, Pyne has made a huge impact in professional baseball. He was the Medical Consultant for the Boston Red Sox in 2018 when they won the World Series. Dr. Pyne spent four seasons with the Washington National Baseball Team where he served as Medical Board Chairman, winning 2019 World Series. In 2020, he was part of the Medical Staff Team with the LA Dodgers, winning the World Series that year. In addition to his contributions to baseball, Dr. Pyne was the Medical Consultant for Toronto Raptors, when they won the 2019 NBA Championship. He was also a Medical Staff member with the New York Islanders Professional Hockey Team (NHL). -
Mancuso, Felix Felix Anthony “Gus” Mancuso (1914 – 2003) was a professional ice hockey forward who played 42 games in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers. He began his career in the OHA playing for the Niagara Falls Cataracts in 1933, turning pro the next year and playing with the famed Hershey B’Ars. Felix was a fan favourite in Hershey; a news report back then called him, “one of the most colourful players ever to perform with Hershey.” The article added that, “he [was] just a small fellow but he [was] in there all the time and absorb[ed] plenty of punishment.” Felix was the fourth Niagara Falls native to play in the NHL, and he signed his first contract with the Canadiens in 1937. He played 23 games with the Habs, over three seasons, recording one goal and one assist wearing the #15. Felix’s rights were sold to the New York Rangers in 1942, with whom he played his final season in the NHL. He played in 21 games in 1943-43, and contributed six goals and fourteen points. Unfortunately, Felix never found out if he finally could be an NHL regular player. He was called upon by the Canadian military for World War II military service, losing two full seasons. Upon his return in 1945, he moved to California and played four seasons in the new rendition of the Pacific Coast Hockey League with the Hollywood Wolves and the Los Angeles Monarchs. Felix had the opportunity to play along the famed Bill Barilko, Cowboy Tom Anderson, and Bob Gracie, as well as have Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby regularly attend his games. Felix was released in 1949, bringing an end to his hockey career. He fell in love with the California sunshine, and stayed there with his wife Marion until he passed away in 2003 at the age of 89. -
Toth, Deborah Deborah Toth is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Karate who trained in Martial Arts for almost 40 years and made a huge impact on the art and profession. Truly a trailblazer, Deborah’s contribution to developing and raising the quality of Martial Arts locally, provincially, and nationally is unmatched. She trained with the best in North America and brought these masters and their knowledge back to Niagara on a consistent basis, elevating especially Canadian Goju Ryu Karate. Deborah created and developed programs that she taught throughout Niagara Region. She taught countless women the skills to remain safe and feel empowered with her female-centered Women’s Self Defense program and enriched the lives of many seniors with her popular Chair Tai Chi program. She taught professionally at her martial arts school in Niagara for 33 years, mentoring men, women, and children and ingraining skills and confidence. Integral to her approach is values-based learning, with emphasis on respect, compassion, gratitude, and community service. Deborah has been an active community builder and volunteer for over 40 years. She donated memberships, created a Martial Arts Scholarship, and volunteered her time coaching (including two stints as coach with Team Canada). Her passion is activism against gender-based violence and she continues to give her time and attention to this and other causes. Deborah is now retired but her legacy lives on in the art and profession and more importantly to her, in the lives of the many students that she has mentored. -
Formica, Cristina Marie Cristina Formica started playing soccer with Niagara Falls Soccer Club at the age of four. She played house league until age 13 and then competitive soccer in the South Region Soccer League. Cristina also played house league and travel hockey for the Niagara Rapids girls hockey team until she was 15 and decided to focus on soccer. In 1998, she made a St. Catharines Ontario Youth Soccer League team and played on that team for 2 years. In 1998, they won the Division Title, League Cup, and Ontario Cup. This team ultimately represented Ontario in the National Championships in Saskatoon, and won a Gold Medal in the 1998 Ontario Summer Games. She went on to play for the OYSL provincial women’s team. In high school, Cristina received the Saint Michael Catholic High School Athlete of the Year award for all 5 years and played basketball, volleyball, badminton, hockey, and soccer. When graduating, she had over 60 universities across Canada and the United States scouting her, ultimately accepting an academic and athletic scholarship at Brock University. While attending Brock and studying to become a teacher, she continued to play soccer for the Brock Badgers and was captain in her final two years. She earned the titles MVP during the 2005-06 season, OUA First Team All-Star, CIS Championship All-Star and CIS First Team All Canadian in 2005 before graduating in 2006. Post-graduation, Cristina was still involved with the team as she was asked to be an Assistant Coach, which she held until 2018. Unfortunately, after a serious knee injury, Cristina was advised by her doctor that it would be in her best interest to stop playing the sport she’s always loved. Cristina is still a full-time Phys-ed teacher at Saint Michael Catholic High School, coaches the girls soccer (whom she’s lead to five consecutive OFSAA championships) and hockey teams at the school, and only recently retired from coaching the Brock team to focus on her new child. -
Johnstone, Chris Chris “Scooter” Johnstone made his junior hockey debut in the Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League in 1979, playing center for the Niagara Falls Canucks. From 1981-1985, he advanced to play at the college level for the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Tigers in New York, and there he achieved incredible records that will likely never be broken. During his time at RIT he was named 2 time all-American and won 2 NCAA championships. While Chris loved playing hockey, he found that he loved coaching hockey even more. Chris has been coaching for over 35 years, touching the lives of countless individuals at an amateur and professional level. Chris’ first notable coaching position was as Assistant Coach with the Ontario Hockey League, Niagara Falls Thunder, in 1990 and went on to become Head Coach in 1993. He continued as Head Coach until 1996, which included the teams move to Erie PA and it's being renamed the Erie Otters. In 2001 Chris coached the Chippawa RiverHawks to an All-Ontario Jr. C Championship. Over 100 NHL players have learned under Chris, and many of them remember him fondly, keep in touch, and/or cite their time with him as an influential and important part of their growth as a player. He went on to coach numerous teams across the GOJHL. Some of Chris' fondest memories of coaching are when he had his son Carson at his side as his assistant coach and especially when his son took on the mantle of Head Coach in a switch of roles with the Fort Erie International Academy Falcons U18 Team of the Canadian High School Hockey (CAHS) in 2020. -
Audibert, Amy Amy Audibert attended A.N. Myer where she excelled at basketball and was considered a top ranking post player in Ontario. She was awarded the Harold Biggar Niagara Falls Player of the Year twice and was inducted onto the A.N. Myer Sports Wall of Distinction in 2010. Amy played four years for the University of Miami Hurricanes. She was team captain in her senior year and named to the All-ACC Academic team. Amy also shared her passion and knowledge of basketball as a former Assistant Coach for the Brock Badgers women’s and the Niagara Knights men’s basketball teams.After university, Amy pursued a diploma in Broadcasting –Radio, Television, and Film at Niagara College. Soon after graduating, Amy began her career in broadcasting by calling NCAA Division 1 games for Canisius College and eventually the University at Buffalo. Since that time, she has had many broadcasting roles and has served as a Television Colour Analyst with the Atlanta Dream (WNBA), the Raptors 905 (NBA G League), and as the Courtside Reporter with the Canadian Elite Basketball League. In 2021, Amy made history twice in one week. On March 19th, during the Toronto Raptors-Utah Jazz game, on TSN 1050, Audibert became the first woman to call analysis on a Raptors radio broadcast.On March 24th, 2021 Amy was a member of the first all-female broadcast crew for a televised NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets. On September 23, 2021, it was announced that Amy had joined the NBA Toronto Raptors Sportsnet broadcast team as Courtside Analyst and Reporter. -
Oakes, Sir Harry The Oakes name is perpetuated in Niagara Falls in numerous ways. Oakes Garden Theatre, Oakes Drive, Oak Hall and Oakes Park all serve as reminders of this noted family, and particularly of Sir Harry Oakes, its most prominent member. Harry Oakes was born in the small town of Sangerville, Maine on December 23, 1874. He graduated with a liberal arts degree from Bowdoin College in 1896. Harry Oakes came to Canada in 1911 as a gold prospector and mining engineer and eventually became a self-made millionaire. In 1912, he struck it rich with his discovery of gold resulting in the Lakeshore Mine near Kirkland Lake. In the 1920s, Harry Oakes and his family located in Niagara Falls until 1934, when the family moved to the Bahamas. In 1939, Sir Harry Oakes was knighted by King George VI of England ; While in Niagara Falls, the Oakes family were very much a part of the local scene. The times were very difficult because of the depression and the philanthropy of the family is remembered by the entire community. Sir Harry’s constant negotiation with the councils of Niagara Falls and Stamford Township and his financing of many local projects, provided considerable employment. Sir Harry Oakes was a keen supporter of athletics and gave awards to many young people for sports competitions. In September 1930, he deeded sixteen acres of farm land at the corner of Morrison Street and Stanley Avenue to the City of Niagara Falls for an athletic field. This land was made by the City, into a football field, baseball field, and other athletic areas and was formally named Oakes Park in Sir Harry’s honour. Oakes Park was opened to public use in the summer of 1931. The younger generation were always in consideration by Sir Harry Oakes, for in conveying Oakes Park to the City, he imposed a condition - that if any part of City-owned Poplar Park ceased to be used as a public playground, then the lands of Oakes Park would revert to him or his heirs. When it became apparent in 1954 that Poplar Park was the most suitable site for a new Greater Niagara General Hospital, the Oakes family released the City from this condition, satisfied that other suitable playgrounds were being provided. The City of Niagara Falls is truly grateful and honoured to recognize Sir Harry Oakes as a Benefactor of sports in our City and his contributions will always be remembered ;
