In 1953, Lou LaBlond of the Associated Canadians Travellers (ACT) initiated the first awards dinner called the ACT Sportmens Dinner, honouring 16 amateur athletes with assistance from the Eastview Lions Club and the Eastview Recreation Centre. The event continued to be known as the ACT Awards for an amazing 50 years under the guidance of Mike Milligan and Gary Mighton. In 2003 Mike and Gary decided to step down from their key organizing roles and the Ottawa Sports Awards were renamed and revamped, but continue the tradition started in 1953.