BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Pat Ptaszynski said she felt a warm glow come over her as she
talked about her late husband Leo at the House of Kin Sudbury
Sports Hall of Fame luncheon at the Caruso Club on Wednesday.
The luncheon was held to introduce 11 new inductees (all
posthumous) into the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame and launch the
organization's new website:
www.hoksudburysportshalloffame.com
.
A tear-drop trickled out of Ptaszynski's eye as she recalled
how much her husband loved the sport of tennis and how much he
contributed greatly to the local scene.
"He would be very proud," Ptaszynski said. "He loved to help
young athletes in any way he could. He was well-liked in the
community and loved to talk sports. He loved to make people
laugh."
Leo was inducted into the Builder's category for his work in
helping found the Sudbury Tennis Club and helping countless
athletes pursue the dream of tennis.
Joining Leo Ptaszynski in the Hall under the Builder's division
was Bill Duncan (for curling and helping build the Sudbury
Granite Club) and John Masih (badminton and tennis). In the
Administration category, Rob Campbell (a force on the
provincial and national swimming scene) and Fred Rams
(swimming) were honoured. In the Player's category, Sam Bettio
(hockey), Frank Bell (curling, track and field and basketball),
Moe Bartoli (hockey), Ron Dussiaume (hockey) and Roy Maud
(baseball) were also inducted.
The Sudbury Star was inducted into the Corporate category.
Maud's wife, Mary, was in attendance and was delighted over the
honour.
"What can I say about Roy...he was all man," she said. "He
loved his sports and was dedicated. It's terrific he's being
inducted and it's great for our family to enjoy this moment.
We're all happy for him."
On top of the inductions, the House of Kin also unveiled their
new website, designed to give people a better understanding of
the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame, inducted members and the long,
rich history of sports in the local community.
"It's a great feeling," House of Kin founder Chris Sheridan
said. "The committee worked hard to get this done and it's
going to be something special for the community. It will allow
people to help us provide more information. It's a big plus."
The website represents the completion of the first step in a
three-phase process to bring the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame
and Sports Celebrity Dinner to the forefront. The organization
will now move on, to the second stage which is gathering
artifacts and memorabilia.
"It's only going to grow and get better," Sheridan said.
The luncheon and announcements had the community buzzing.
"It's amazing news," Ward 5 Councillor Ron Dupuis said. "It's
important this is done because Greater Sudbury has a rich and
proud history in sports. So many people have come out of
Sudbury and left their mark in sports around the
world...everyone needs to know this information and now they
can."