ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Neil Lumsden, Football
Edmonton Eskimos fullback Neil Lumsden claims he has completely recovered from the arm injury that cut last year’s Canadian Football League season in half, but he hasn’t decided whether or not he’ll try another season.
The injury a detached bicep muscle on the right arm at the elbow. It also put an early end to his 1985 football activities.
The short season came on the 10th anniversary of his favourite intercollegiate contest, University of Ottawa’s 14-9 triumph over University of Calgary Dinosaurs in the Vanier Cup. Lumsden was the chief reason for the Gee-Gee win gaining 169 yards earning the MVP award.
The Toronto-born full back was lured to Ottawa by ex-Rough Rider Don Gilbert, who had been hired to establish a football program and he got his franchise in Lumsden. Lumsden obliterated any national, conference or school record he could get a hand or foot on.
Lumsden had no complaints.
Gilbert had promised a national championship, a sound football program and to turn him into a capable professional backfielder.
When Lumsden left the nation’s capital, he also left as Associated Canadian Travellers athlete of the year for 1975, the only footballer to be so recognized.
That was Lumsden’s first contact with the ACT. He has also been associate with the Edmonton branch in their charity fund raising telethon the last three years.
“They are a great bunch,” said Lumsden.
Lumsden broke into the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts and earned the east’s nomination as top rookie in the Schenley balloting… A quick silencer to the idle gossip — with which Lumsden has had no track — that he didn’t belong.
Shortly after he grew disenchanted with the Boatmen and asked his agent, Al Eagleson, to get some action. That led to a trade to Hamilton with Ken Clark becoming an Argo.
He went west in the Hamilton package for Bruce Lemmerman and just in time for three Grey Cup rings.
Somebody knew his value.
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR (GORD TRIVETT MEMORIAL TROPHY)
Aline Pottie
It’s a small world.
And Aline Pottie, 1975 winner of the Gord Trivett Memorial Trophy at the Associated Canadian Travellers — Cities of Ottawa and Nepean Sportsmen’s Dinner, will likely be the first to agree any time the subject comes up.
Her reason is the second chapter of the Trivett saga, a story that began when she made friends with Kelli Hammell at the Canadian Hostelling Association, Kelli moved to another job but the friendship still remained. As a result, Kelli sought out Aline after Kelli’s father, Ron had won the same trophy. Needless to say Kelli was surprised by Aline’s connection to the prize, in this instance a thank you for a job well done for the national swimming championships in 1974 at the Nepean Sportsplex.
Bill Gelling selected his public relations person well.
“I got a big thrill meeting all you people,” she said in a recent conversation. “I really thoroughly enjoyed the job.”
With three of four children involved in the swim program, the Pottie’s, Aline and husband Ros(well) decided they should become involved as parents.
“When you make that decision, there is only one way to go,” declared Aline, “and that’s all out.”
As a result she didn’t stop with supplying the media with pertinent information about the sport. She was available for her fair share of club duties as well.
Gord Trivett would have approved the choice.
Archery — Clinton Sewchuk
Boxing — Eric Thompson
Bowling — Marcel Quenville
Bobsleds — Colin Nelson
Baseball — Jim Kent
Badminton — Barb O’Brien
Basketball — Donna Hobin
Curling — Lou Dugre, Cal Hegge, William Erickson, Brian McLeod
Cricket — Selwyn Griffith
Cycling — Robert Lauriston
Equestrian — Ian Millar
Figure Skating — Lynn Nightingale
Fencing — Louise Leblanc
Football — Neil Lumsden
Golf— Eric Kaufmanis
Gymnastics — Kathy Murphy
Hockey — Peter Lee
Judo — Phil Takahashi
Lawn Bowling — Reta Taylor
Motorcycles — Mark Kielty
Orienteering — Michael Day
Paddling — Sue Holloway
Rowing — Beverley Cameron
Rugby — Ed Mitchell
Softball — Bill Coveny
Speed Skating — Patrick Guay
Swimming — Chris Hodson
Squash — Penny Glover
Sailing — Charles Coleman
Shooting — Steve Kelly
Snooker — Julien St. Denis
Skiing — Betsy Clifford
Soccer — Sandro Baggio
Trap and Skeet — Gus Sanderson
Tennis — Marjorie Blackwood
Touch Football — Don Belsher
Track and Field — Bruce Simpson
Volleyball — Jamie Johnson
Water Polo — Denise Pittuck
Water Skiing — Pat Messner
Wrestling — Ray Takahashi
Weightlifting — Russ Prior
High school sports fans had something to cheer about when they saw national team member Donna Hobin at the top of the basketball list… Hobin was the first woman picked for the honour… Many will remember her scoring all 18 Nepean points in an 18-7 playoff victory over Laurentian… Another athlete just out of scholastic ranks, Eric Kaufmanis began a four-year run at the head of the golf pack… The same Kaufmanis had a hurdler’s natural glide on the track… The Philemon Wright graduate also had a soft touch around the basketball hoop and waged keen scoring battles with Lisgar giant Tom Cholock, basketball player of the year in 1978… Softball player of the year was pitcher Bill Coveny… The same Bill Coveny who helped Carleton University Ravens steal an Ottawa-St. Lawrence championship from former Rough Rider Doug Daigneault’s import loaded Loyola Warriors, when that circuit was still operating.