City of Toronto hosts seventh annual Toronto Sport Hall of Honour induction ceremony

The City of Toronto celebrated its seventh annual Toronto Sport Hall of Honour induction ceremony yesterday at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre where Mayor Olivia Chow attended, alongside 18 new inductees honoured for their outstanding achievements and contributions to sports excellence in Toronto. 

The Toronto Sport Hall of Honour acknowledges individuals and organizations for their exceptional contributions and achievements in sports, honouring those who inspire and bring acclaim to Toronto. Housed at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, the Hall of Honour stands as a legacy of the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. Awards are presented in various categories including Athlete of the Year, Builder, and Spirit of Sport Diversity and Inclusion that recognize excellence, leadership and commitment within the sports community. 

Mayor Olivia Chow, City Manager Paul Johnson and Howie Dayton, General Manager, Parks, Forestry & Recreation, congratulated the inductees on their achievements. 

This year’s recipients are: 

• Athlete of the Year (female): Fay De Fazio Ebert, Teenage Skateboarder, 2023 Pan Am Games gold medalist in park skateboarding 
• Athlete of the Year (male): Shady El Nahas, Canadian Judoka Athlete, 2023 Pan Am Games gold medalist 
• Para-Athlete of the Year (female): Sheriauna Haase – 2023 ParaPan Am Games Bronze Medalist in the 100m and 200m 
• Para-Athlete of the Year (male): Jesse Zesseu, 2023 ParaPan Am Games bronze and silver medalist in T37 long jump and F37 discus throw athlete  
• Special Olympics Athlete of the Year: Franck Koffi, basketball  
• Builder: Andy Higgins, founder of Coaches Association of Ontario 
• City of Sport Lifetime Achievement: Paulette and Ken Ormsby, former Canadian ice dancers and Doug Hamilton, Canadian rower 

• Coach of the Year: Ryan Dinwiddie, Head Coach of the Toronto Argonauts 
• Community Sport Volunteer (female): Vicki Keith, Canadian swimmer and coach 
• Community Sport Volunteer (male): Stephen Bialowas, wheelchair basketball coach  
• Corporate Builders: Variety Village and Nike Canada 
• City of Sport Medal of Distinction: Robert Singleton, Managing Director of the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre 
• Spirit of Sport: Diversity and Inclusion: Kirk Brooks, mentor to young athletes of colour, Providing Barrier-Free Hockey Training through Skillz Hockey 
• Sport Legend: Michael Clemons, former CFL player for the Toronto Argonauts, current General Manager for the Toronto Argonauts and philanthropist for Pinball Clemons Foundation 
• Team of the Year: Seneca Sting women’s varsity soccer 

More information about the Toronto Sport Hall of Honour including induction ceremony categories along with inductee biographies and photographs is available on the City’s Toronto Sport Hall of Honour webpage.

Quote:  

“Last night we celebrated the remarkable achievements of 18 new inductees at the annual Toronto Sport Hall of Honour induction ceremony. These individuals and organizations embody the spirit of excellence and dedication that make Toronto a city of champions. Congratulations to all the inductees for inspiring us and bringing acclaim to our city through their exceptional contributions to sport.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow 

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.