Click for Album
Hall of Fame founder and Chair Emeritus, Bill Hoyle
The Hall of Fame display room was renamed in honour of the founder, past Chair and Chair Emeritus of the Board of Governors whose foresight, initiative and determined hard work starting more than 10 years ago has made the Hall of Fame the showcase of Canadian Soccer History that it is today.
See William (Bill) Hoyle Hangs Up His Boots for more information on Bill’s accomplishments.
Inductee Joan McEachern and son
On Saturday, June 6th, the Inductees gathered again to celebrate the induction of eight individuals and one team into The Soccer Hall of Fame.
Click photo for OSATv Video Clip
Following a pre-game Media “Meet and Greet” in the BMO Field Press Conference Room, the Inductees and members of the Team of Distinction filed onto the field and were introduced to the highly appreciative Toronto FC fans prior to the match.
Click photo for OSATv Video Clip
Inductee Mike Stojanovic is prepped by HOF Project Manager, Kim Watson
At 6pm, the Inductees along with friends, family members, colleagues, supporters and guests met for cocktails preceding The Hall of Fame Induction Banquet perennially emceed by Soccer Central’s Gerry Dobson at The ClubLink Country Club in Woodbridge.
The inductees included John Limniatis, formerly of the Montreal Impact and Canadian Men’s National Team; Mike Stojanovic of the NASL Rochester Lancers and the Canadian Men’s National Team; Neil Ellett, former Men’s National Team Captain; Joan McEachern of the Canadian Women’s Team; Bob Sawtell, former FIFA Referee; Derek Wisdom, New Brunswick’s “Mr. Soccer”; and Colin Jose, the pre-eminent authority of soccer in North America.
Click photo for OSATv Video Clip
HOF Board Member, Lynn McGarrigle and Dave Slade (for Inductee, father Ted Slade)
Rounding out this group of luminaries was this year’s winner of the Pioneer Award, Ted Slade, a minor soccer aficionado over his 60 years of service to soccer in Ontario who was represented by his son, Dave Slade, and the Team of Distinction — the Men’s National Team of 1986 — which was the first and so far only Canadian team to qualify for the World Cup.
Also in attendance were Bob Lenarduzzi, Les Wilson, Jamie Lowery, Paul James, Randy Ragan, George Pakos, Mike Sweeney, Joe Parolini, Dr. Ed Johnson, and Kevin Muldoon.
Click photo for OSATv Video Clip
John Knox, Bill Hoyle, the The Honourable Margarett R. Best, Ontario Minister of Health Promotion
A highlight of the evening’s Inductee presentations was the induction of Bill Hoyle into the Hall of Fame he founded, and the additional recognition accorded Bill Hoyle as a Life Member of the Canadian Soccer Association. The commemorative plaque was presented by John Knox, OSA President, and keynote speaker, the The Honourable Margarett R. Best, Ontario Minister of Health Promotion.
See Bill Hoyle Bestowed CSA Life Membership for more information.
Click photo for OSATv Video Clip
Back Row
Mike Stojanovic, John Limniatis, Jamie Lowery, George Pakos, Bob Lenarduzzi,
Randy Ragan, Kevin Muldoon, Joe Parolini, Mike Sweeney
Front Row
Neil Ellett, Derek Wisdom, Joan McEachern, Colin Jose, Bob Sawtell,
Dave Slade (for father Ted Slade), Les Wilson
The Soccer Hall of Fame is a subsidiary of The Ontario Soccer Association and is supported by the Canadian Soccer Association.
See http://www.canadasoccer.com/news/headlines.asp?sub=1 for additional coverage of the 2009 Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies.
Photos by Rob Ferrari & Wolf Ruck / OSA