Russell, author of 11 books on Nova Scotia sports history and one of the foremost sports historians in the Maritimes, was among the first 19 inductees to the new hall, founded in the fall of 2014.
He plans to be in attendance, along with fellow living inductees Philip (Skit) Ferguson, Willie O’Ree and Forbes Kennedy, at the official unveiling. Ron Turcotte, injured in a recent accident, also planned to attend if his health permitted.
“The teams and individuals being recognized cover a period from the late 1800s to the present day, all being recognized for the tremendous roles they played in creating the proud tradition of Maritime sport through their accomplishments and contributions,” Hall of Fame spokesperson Paul Gallivan said in a May 6 release.
Russell, who turned 80 earlier this year, said June 1 that being included in the Hall, and especially in the first group of inductees, “is obviously a tremendous honour.”
He was especially pleased that he and the other living inductees are receiving this honour while they are still alive. “I’m 80 years old now,” he said. “If you’re going to receive an honour like this, it’s nice to be still alive to enjoy it.”
A naturally humble man, Russell, a retired schoolteacher and athletic coach, pointed out, “to be spoken of in the same breath as people like Skit Ferguson and Leo Woods,” not to mention the other inductees, “puts me in pretty good company.”
Russell started collecting news clippings and other sports memorabilia in 1946, at the age of 11. “I never dreamed that 69 years later, I’d still be clipping out articles.”
‘Skit’ Ferguson, he pointed out, “was an idol of mine when I was a boy. When I was 11, he would have been around 20. All these years later, we’ll both be in the same Hall of Fame, and we’re both able to be there in person” to receive the honour.
One or more players or family members will represent most of the 10 inducted teams. Family members or relatives will also represent deceased inductees.
Russell was hopeful members of his own family, including a brother and a sister and nieces and nephews, would also be able to attend the ceremony.
He added, “last fall when I got the call, I realized this didn’t exist before. I found it very hard to believe, and I’m grateful to the people who supported me for this.
“It came as a complete surprise to me,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to what should be a great day.”
Russell said he is “looking for this project to continue to grow, especially with people like Paul Gallivan behind it. There will be growing pains, but it should work.” Moreover, “I’d like to see them start a museum or archives to go along with it.”
The inaugural inductees to the Maritime Sports Hall of Fame are as follows:
Athletes:
Willie O’Ree – hockey
Ron Turcotte – thoroughbred horse racing (jockey)
Philip (Skit) Ferguson – baseball
Leo Woods – baseball/fastball
Yvon Durelle – boxing
Forbes Kennedy - hockey
Teams:
Teams from the Black Ice Hockey League (1895-1930)
Sydney Millionaires (1912-1914) - hockey
Moncton Hawks (1933-1934) - hockey
Halifax Zwickers (1946-1947) - fastball
Shearwater Flyers (1957) - football
New Waterford Giants (1959) - baseball
Moncton Beavers (1960-1961) - hockey
Halifax Vaughan Furriers (1962) - baseball
Halifax Kingfishers (1961-1962) – Junior A hockey
Charlottetown Islanders (1981) – hockey
Builders:
Edgar ‘Duck’ Acorn – harness racing builder
Danny Gallivan – hockey (broadcaster)
Burton Russell – author/sports historian
Russell, author of 11 books on Nova Scotia sports history and one of the foremost sports historians in the Maritimes, was among the first 19 inductees to the new hall, founded in the fall of 2014.
He plans to be in attendance, along with fellow living inductees Philip (Skit) Ferguson, Willie O’Ree and Forbes Kennedy, at the official unveiling. Ron Turcotte, injured in a recent accident, also planned to attend if his health permitted.
“The teams and individuals being recognized cover a period from the late 1800s to the present day, all being recognized for the tremendous roles they played in creating the proud tradition of Maritime sport through their accomplishments and contributions,” Hall of Fame spokesperson Paul Gallivan said in a May 6 release.
Russell, who turned 80 earlier this year, said June 1 that being included in the Hall, and especially in the first group of inductees, “is obviously a tremendous honour.”
He was especially pleased that he and the other living inductees are receiving this honour while they are still alive. “I’m 80 years old now,” he said. “If you’re going to receive an honour like this, it’s nice to be still alive to enjoy it.”
A naturally humble man, Russell, a retired schoolteacher and athletic coach, pointed out, “to be spoken of in the same breath as people like Skit Ferguson and Leo Woods,” not to mention the other inductees, “puts me in pretty good company.”
Russell started collecting news clippings and other sports memorabilia in 1946, at the age of 11. “I never dreamed that 69 years later, I’d still be clipping out articles.”
‘Skit’ Ferguson, he pointed out, “was an idol of mine when I was a boy. When I was 11, he would have been around 20. All these years later, we’ll both be in the same Hall of Fame, and we’re both able to be there in person” to receive the honour.
One or more players or family members will represent most of the 10 inducted teams. Family members or relatives will also represent deceased inductees.
Russell was hopeful members of his own family, including a brother and a sister and nieces and nephews, would also be able to attend the ceremony.
He added, “last fall when I got the call, I realized this didn’t exist before. I found it very hard to believe, and I’m grateful to the people who supported me for this.
“It came as a complete surprise to me,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to what should be a great day.”
Russell said he is “looking for this project to continue to grow, especially with people like Paul Gallivan behind it. There will be growing pains, but it should work.” Moreover, “I’d like to see them start a museum or archives to go along with it.”
The inaugural inductees to the Maritime Sports Hall of Fame are as follows:
Athletes:
Willie O’Ree – hockey
Ron Turcotte – thoroughbred horse racing (jockey)
Philip (Skit) Ferguson – baseball
Leo Woods – baseball/fastball
Yvon Durelle – boxing
Forbes Kennedy - hockey
Teams:
Teams from the Black Ice Hockey League (1895-1930)
Sydney Millionaires (1912-1914) - hockey
Moncton Hawks (1933-1934) - hockey
Halifax Zwickers (1946-1947) - fastball
Shearwater Flyers (1957) - football
New Waterford Giants (1959) - baseball
Moncton Beavers (1960-1961) - hockey
Halifax Vaughan Furriers (1962) - baseball
Halifax Kingfishers (1961-1962) – Junior A hockey
Charlottetown Islanders (1981) – hockey
Builders:
Edgar ‘Duck’ Acorn – harness racing builder
Danny Gallivan – hockey (broadcaster)
Burton Russell – author/sports historian