CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Armand Martin was a bit overwhelmed Saturday to be called to the stage and presented with a pin to represent his membership in an exclusive club.
The P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame presented its members with the pins to conclude the celebration of its 50th year.
“It’s a great feeling to be recognized,” said Martin, noting the Island legends in the room that included a vast collection of athletes from across the province representing a variety of sports. “It’s a big family.”
The Tignish native was the first representative in the hall from karate when he was inducted in 2012. He has taught thousands of athletes the sport and continues to instruct in his 43rd year involved with the sport. His wife Julia, a second-degree black belt, has also been teaching for close to 40 years.
Martin said his first instructor, Bill Dean in Summerside, pushed them to keep improving.
“I liked the challenge,” he said, noting he would spend upwards of two hours a day training in his peak. “You get out of it what you put into it.”
Golfer Lorie Kane, one of the Island’s most recognizable athletes, said she was pleased to be home for the event to receive her beautiful pin.
While Kane is a forward-thinking athlete, she said, it is important to stop and reflect on the Island sports community’s achievements.
“It is nice to get together and to recognize the accomplishments that we have made,” she said. “We might be the smallest province, but I always say we’re the mightiest.”
The hall is a special place for the Kane family. Her father, Jack Kane Jr., was the coach of the 1964-65 Saint Dunstan’s Saints hockey team that was inducted in 2017 while his father, Jack (Hurry) Kane, was inducted for hockey in 2007.
Kane said she was thankful for fellow hall member Nancy White, who helped set the stage for Kane to reach the LPGA tour.
“While she was a wonderful speed skater, she was a great golfer too and was the first to be a member of the LPGA,” Kane said.
Susan Dalziel, a Borden-Carleton native and Cornwall resident, was inducted as a builder in 2001 for being a driving force for women’s hockey since the early 1970s.
“It’s wonderful,” she said when asked about the growth of the female side of the game. “But some people don’t realize that women have been playing hockey here on P.E.I. since back in the 1890s.”
Dalziel said it was humbling to be a part of Saturday’s event.
“I find it hard to believe that I am part of that group. I think there’s so many people out there that are probably just as deserving as I am of this particular award,” she said, noting she will cherish the pin. “I don't think I’ll put this one away. I think I’ll wear it – wear it proudly.”
Hall chairman Paul H. Schurman said it was great to look out into the crowd and see so many friends he remembered playing with and against.
“We hope that today has reaffirmed that being a Hall of Famer is really membership in a very exclusive club,” he said. “You have all performed at the highest possible levels and that is an accomplishment which you should all be very, very proud (of).”
Kane said while the day was important for the hall members it wouldn’t have happened without the people who helped them achieve their goals along the way.
“I am where I am because I had an awful lot of support from an awful lot of people,” she said. “I hope to be able to pay it forward for the next group of athletes.”
Related link:
• P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame website
Need to know
P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame
What – The Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame honours the top athletes, teams and builders from the province’s rich sports history. It was incorporated in 1968 and is managed by a board of directors.
First class – The 1968 class included Alfred Groom (track and field), Vern Handrahan (baseball), Forbes Kennedy (hockey), Norman Macdonald (sports journalist), Dr. Archie MacMurdo (official), Davis Lidstone (baseball/coach) and Joe O’Brien (harness racing).
History – The hall was first located at Summerside High School. It has also called Summerside Town Hall, the Eptek Centre and the Wyatt Centre home before moving into the Credit Union Place in Summerside in 2014.
Inside – The 180-square foot hall has material on display on a rotational basis. Chairman Paul H. Schurman invites people to come by for a visit. “Don’t be in a hurry,” he said, “there’s a lot of information there.”
Members – The hall has inducted 193 athletes, builders and teams. Cecil MacPhail, who was inducted for softball in 2003, was at Saturday’s pin ceremony. He is believed to be the oldest living member of the hall.
Induction – The deadline for nominations for induction in 2019 is June 30. Details on how to nominate a builder, team or athlete can be made by contacting Nick Murray at 902-393-5474, or by email at [email protected], or by visiting the hall’s website at www.peisportshalloffame.ca.
