The Cobourg and District Sports Hall of Fame gathered at the Baltimore Recreation Centre for its 8th annual induction ceremony, celebrating athletes and builders who shaped generations of local sport while also presenting Ontario certificates to the 2022 inductee class.
Among those recognized in 2022 were Paul Allen, Heather Brown, Al Burnham, Roger Cole, Elaine Devlin, Gail Johns-Rees, the late Ross Quigley, and Dick and Ann Raymond. Northumberland–Peterborough South MPP David Piccini presented the certificates, and also reflected on Quigley’s legacy.
Quigley began archiving Cobourg’s sports history in 2013, creating more than 100 binders of scanned newspaper stories before incorporating the Hall in 2017.
Master of ceremonies Joel Scott captured that influence succinctly.
2026 Inductees
Elizabeth (Liz) Basinger
A lifelong Cobourg resident and tireless sports volunteer, Basinger played a key role in the Cobourg Cougars’ transition to Tier II Junior A in 1992 and remained instrumental as the team evolved into private ownership. She contributed leadership and expertise to major national events including the Dudley Hewitt Cup, the World Junior A Challenge and the RBC Cup. An inaugural board member of the Hall, she has been recognized repeatedly by hockey organizations and the Town of Cobourg for her volunteer service.
Chris Crooks
A four-time All-Canadian wrestler at the University of Guelph, Crooks captured multiple CIAU medals and helped lead the Gryphons to three consecutive national team titles. Following his competitive career, he dedicated more than 25 years to teaching and coaching in Northumberland County, mentoring young athletes and using sport as a vehicle for discipline and growth.
Danny Frei
An educator for more than three decades, Frei built a legacy rooted in mentorship, outdoor education and athletic development. Alongside promoting school athletics, he became a leading firearms safety educator in the region, teaching safe practices for more than 25 years and impacting thousands of students and sports enthusiasts.
John Hayden
A standout softball pitcher who captured provincial championships in the early 1970s, Hayden later devoted his career to education and special needs advocacy. His organizational leadership contributed to feasibility planning for the Cobourg Community Centre and helped establish the Hall itself, where he served as an original board member.
Jake Maarse
An internationally recognized marathon speed skater, Maarse co-founded Marathon Skating International and helped build competitive long-distance skating circuits across North America. He has served on executive boards nationally while continuing to promote the sport through volunteer leadership.
Chris Markle
Known locally as “Sparky,” Markle’s dominance at Dalewood Golf and Country Club includes 19 Club Men’s Championships and numerous regional titles. Beyond trophies, he is regarded as a mentor and ambassador for golf across the region.
Sharyl Ann Milligan
A trailblazer in lawn bowling for more than five decades, Milligan has excelled as athlete, official and administrator at provincial, national and international levels, including the Commonwealth Games. She also revitalized youth lawn bowling in Cobourg, introducing a new generation to the sport.
Ken ‘Nipper’ Stevenson
From junior golf and provincial fastball championships to a standout rookie season with the Cobourg Cougars, Stevenson’s athletic resume spans decades. Later turning to competitive bodybuilding, he earned multiple first-place finishes in national masters competitions.
During her induction, Basinger reflected on stepping into the spotlight after years behind the scenes.
The Hall also used the event to promote the Ross Quigley Youth in Sport Award, offering two $1,000 bursaries annually to student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in athletics, academics and community involvement. Applications close May 1.
Looking ahead, inductee nominations for 2027 close September 30. Organizers are also actively seeking volunteers to assist with website content, social media updates, archival cataloguing, memorabilia tracking, event planning and selection committee work. Those interested in supporting preservation of Cobourg’s sports history are encouraged to connect through cdshf.ca or speak with a board member.
The 2026 induction dinner will be held June 19 at the Cobourg Best Western.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
