The Cobourg and District Sports Hall of Fame celebrated excellence in sport and community through its 2025 induction ceremony to a capacity crowd on Friday night at the Cobourg Best Western, hosted again this year by Joel Scott.
The event opened with heartfelt recognition of four outstanding student athletes. Cobourg Collegiate Institute’s Charlie Evans (female) and Owen Harnden (male), along with St Mary Secondary School’s Anna Crowley (female) and Drayden MacDonald (male), were honoured as athletes of the year in their respective schools’ awards.
Cobourg Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty, who spoke on behalf of the Town of Cobourg, underscored the value of sport in building community, applauding the Hall’s role in preserving local heritage and inspiring generations.
The evening paid tribute to eight inductees whose contributions span playing, coaching, officiating, volunteerism, and more:
Jennifer Dalgarno
Known as Cobourg’s “Ms. Everything,” Dalton has devoted over four decades to local sport. She played fastball and hockey at elite levels-including four Ontario Championships with the Cobourg Angels-and coached multiple sports. A former University of Toronto Varsity Blues athlete, she later earned eight provincial hockey titles as a coach.
Dalgarno says being inducted is a great honour, but being involved in sport has been its own reward.
Bruce Covert
A basketball officiating legend, Covert’s 50-year career includes more than 600 OUA games, 12 Wilson Cup finals, and national tournaments, as well as executive roles and mentoring.
Covert said he was grateful for the support of his family and was amazed to be in such fine company.
Bill “Cowboy” Elliott
A cherished figure in fastball and hockey, Elliott played key roles in provincial and national championships during the 1970s and ’90s. Community members shared stories of his fund-raising and mentorship.
His daughter Shelly recalled his unwavering spirit in support of sport in the community.
Lionel “Tut” Gutteridge
Volunteer administrator extraordinaire, Gutteridge founded Cobourg Legion Minor Softball and later served in many community sporting roles.
His granddaughter Janice noted his commitment to ensuring all children could play.
Craig Minifie
A powerhouse in Cobourg’s fastball league, Minifie holds 48-year records for hits, home runs, RBIs, and runs-plus multiple provincial and national titles.
Minifie shares his advice for older those that think they’re too old for sport.
Denine Page
A figure skating prodigy turned coach, Page passed 24 Skate Canada dance tests, coached at regional levels, and helped start a figure-skating club in Baltimore, Ontario.
For Page, inspiring youth was its own reward.
Gerald “Dick” Turpin
A beloved coach in softball for over 30 years, Turpin guided Winchester and Juniors provincial champions and earned the F.R. Feaver Memorial Trophy.
We asked his son Paul Turpin what his father would have thought about being inducted.
Justin Williams
NHL star and two-time Stanley Cup champion, Williams, who was nicknamed “Mr. Game 7”, played a pivotal role in Carolina and L.A.’s cup victories. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2014 and brought the Stanley Cup to Cobourg twice, the last time in 2014, but still remembers being nervous the day her brought the cup to Cobourg.
Be sure to read more about all the inductees at the Cobourg and District Sport Hall of Fame website.
The ceremony concluded with the Ross Quigley Youth in Sport Awards, honouring three students: 94 percent-average volleyball co-captain Abigail Bevan; multi-sport talent Emmett Clarke; and varsity captain Hunter Wright. Bevan, Clarke and Wright were recognised for athletic and academic excellence and community leadership, with awards presented by Ross Quigley’s grandchildren.
The Hall is now accepting nominations for the 2026 induction class. Deadline is September 30.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)