Nothing could have been more appropriate than to hold the Ontario Squash Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on the weekend as the Canadian Junior Closed Championships.  The irony was delicious – three living legends of squash were inducted into the Hall of Fame while at the same time, future inductees put on a dazzling display of squash.

On Saturday, April 25th, Barney Lawrence, Don Leggat and Tony Swift were inducted into the Ontario Squash Hall of Fame.  The ceremony was held at the home of the Hall of Fame, The Club at White Oaks in Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

These three gentlemen have made enormous contributions to the game of squash not just in Ontario but in Canada.  They have brought unique and exceptional talents to the squash community and have touched the playing lives of many generations, both past and present.

The Ontario Squash Hall of Fame is an exclusive group of people.  On hand to welcome these three into the group were class of 2005 inductees Ian Stewart, Susan Swift, Vicki Mason (representing Jim Mason) and the inimitable Sharif Khan.  Also lending a welcoming hand were representatives from the class of 2007 – Anne Smith, Gerry Shugar and Ernie Howard. 

Barney Lawrence’s contributions to and passion for squash are unparalleled.  With unbridled enthusiasm and dedication he helped build the game as a player, club founder, coach, volunteer, and financial supporter.  Through his support in so many facets of squash, he has touched past and future generations of squash players.  Barney was inducted as a builder.

Beginning in his late twenties, Don Leggat proceeded to establish a record second to none in hardball and doubles.  Over the next four decades he won countless national and provincial championships.  On court, he was a fierce but fair competitor; off court he was an extraordinary ambassador for squash in Ontario and Canada.  Don was inducted as a player.

Few players successfully made the transition from hardball to soft ball and then to doubles.  Tony Swift has won major championships internationally, nationally and provincially in all three disciplines of the game.  His expertise as a coach, an official and an author made him a complete and accomplished athlete.  Tony was inducted as a player.

Traditions are born – not orchestrated.  In 2005, the Board of Squash Ontario asked Paul Wilson if he would act as the master of ceremonies for the first induction ceremony.  He graciously accepted the task and did repeat performance in 2007 and in 2008 at the official opening of the Hall of Fame.  And so it was on Saturday evening.  He is a master of the bon mot and brings to the role just the right amount of humour, reverence and history.  He was brilliant.

Everyone then repaired to the LIV dining room in the White Oaks Resort where we were treated to just the most extraordinary meal – nothing at White Oaks is less than first class. 

Mark Sachvie is a miracle man and perhaps one of the very few people who can juggle running a major national tournament with an entry of over 240 and at the same time, orchestrate everything at the White Oaks end to ensure the Hall of Fame induction ceremony ran without a hitch.

When Squash Ontario created the Ontario Squash Hall of Fame, its vision was to install the Hall in a permanent home and after an extensive request for proposals program with its member facilities, the Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the selection of The Club at White Oaks.  White Oaks, under Racquets Director Mark Sachvie, has been a long time and passionate supporter of squash in Ontario and in Canada.  It has hosted many of the most prestigious provincial, national and international events – it is a beacon of excellence in the Canadian squash community.

White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa is the crown jewel of the Niagara Region and this is due in large measure to the attention to detail and vision of excellence of the Wakil family.  The Ontario Squash Hall of Fame has found its home at White Oaks.

On Saturday, the Board of Governors unveiled the Friends of Squash Recognition Wall.  The Board will be working hard over the next year to enhance the Hall of Fame – making it much more interactive – collecting and cataloguing memorabilia.  In order to achieve these goals, it will need to raise funds and thus, contributors will be recognized on the Friends of Squash Wall.  All contributions are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.  Donations may be made online at squashontario.com or by contacting the Squash Ontario office at 416-426-7201.

Inductions into the Ontario Squash Hall of Fame occur every two years – we shall all be back at White Oaks to recognize and honour the class of 2011. 

Barney Lawrence (the rose amidst two thorns?) with wife Peg (left) and dear friend Helena Burgess

Donald Leggat with wife, Audrey

The ever elegant, Paul Wilson                        The Family Mason