The Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame announced 2024’s inductees on Wednesday. The event was held at Shawn and Ed Brewing Company in Dundas.
Kicking off the list was two time Grey Cup champion Frank Cosentino.
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President of the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame, Sharon Garden said, “He played quarterback in the CFL from 1960 to 1972. He later enjoyed a successful university football coaching career, authored 17 sport history books, and is also a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.”
Also inducted, Ray Jones also known as “Jonesy.” “He was head trainer for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, trainer for Canada’s men’s basketball team, and founded the Hamilton Amateur Basketball Association,” Garden said.
Jones passed away in 2021 at the age of 86. Jones’ widow Patricia Jones said, “His whole life was centred around sports. He was always free and at home if anybody needed him, he was there. Yeah, he came to the rescue a lot of times.”
Jones’ grandson Cameron McKay said, “My grandfather being in Hamilton his whole life, and all the involvement he had starting up leagues, being that trainer, being that support system for a lot of people, it’s very special, especially in our hometown.”
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The next inductee cyclist Susan Palmer-Komer (Cubello) was present at the event.
“She competed in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, earned several national titles, and participated in 13 world championships,” Garden said. She’s now a teacher with the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board.
“There’s a lot of amazing sports personalities, sports athletes in the hall and to be able to join them really it’s an honour. It can happen for anyone, and I hope my students see that if they put in the hard work, it can happen,” Palmer-Komer (Cubello) said.
Canada’s first Olympic sailor, Norm Robertson was inducted. He competed in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Garden said, “He enjoyed a decorated sailing career, competing for decades.”
Jane Robertson, Norm Roberson’s granddaughter said, “Through my grandfather and my family, their true love was yachting and sailing, and that’s a true passion, and for that to be recognized, that’s an honour, and especially because my grandfather was a very quiet humble man.”
To top it all off, 18-year NHL veteran Steve Staios. He played over a thousand NHL games. He was general manager of the Hamilton Bulldogs and led them to two OHL championships.
Staios is now running the Ottawa Senators hockey operations.
And this year, for the first time ever, the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame, is honouring a local organization or event. This year, it’s the Around the Bay Road Race.
The Hall of Fame’s annual induction luncheon is set for Oct. 23.