2015 Inductees

Athlete: Baseball, Hockey

Joe " Pounder" Cormier was an accomplished hockey and baseball player. Joe played professional baseball in the Quebec Provincial League and later starred for the Kentville Wildcats in the famous, import-laden H & D League. The slick-fielding first baseman batted .315 while only committing one error in 40 games during the 1948 season in Kentville. Cormier also was a member of the New Waterford Strands Hockey team that upset the famed Sydney Millionaires to win the 1946 Cape Breton Senior Hockey Championship. Joe whose nickname "Pounder" came because of his extremely hard shot also played hockey with the Kentville Wildcats of the Valley Senior Hockey League.

Athlete-Builder: Baseball, Basketball, Soccer

Karl Marsh was a great all-around athlete who played on two of New Waterford's most prolific teams: the Giants and the Strands. The classy, slick-fielding second basemen was a key member of the Maritime Championship Giants. In basketball, Karl was a leading scorer for the Strands on nine Nova Scotia and Maritime Championship teams.

Karl was also a member of the powerhouse St.F.X teams, winners of numerous Provincial and Canadian Championships. Karl was also an excellent coach, having guided several soccer, baseball, and basketball teams to Provincial and Maritime Championships.

Athlete: Basketball

Fred Connors Senior was an outstanding athlete. He is considered New Waterford's finest pre-jump shot-era basketball player. Fred was a star player on the 1946 Strands' basketball team, winners of the Canadian Intermediate Championship. The diminutive guard was a deadly shooter with uncanny dribbling ability. His defensive quickness was a factor in many Strands victories. Fred was also an accomplished baseball player and track athlete.

Athlete: Hockey

Bruce Campbell was one of the finest hockey players ever produced on the island. Bruce was the Chaptick Player of the Year during his final season in Junior Hockey. The prolific scorer led most of the leagues he played in. He dominated the Newfoundland Senior League and later starred for Bucky Buchanan's UCCB Capers in the AUS. Bruce rounded out his playing career as a member of the Truro Bearcats, winners of the 1997/98 Allan Cup.

Athlete-Builder: Boxing

Johnny Nemis was an outstanding boxing trainer. Many championship fighters were influenced by Johnny's trading methods including Blair Richardson, Tyrone Gardiner, and New Waterford's Les Gillis. Johnny was also an accomplished boxer having won a remarkable 200 fights while only losing 13. Local sports historian and sports writer Paul MacDougall is quoted about Johnny below in a previous article on boxing. 'Johnny Nemis died 40 years ago this September. The boxing fraternity recognizes the crucial part he played for decades — competitor, trainer, booster, and general man about the ring. Young boxers today may be trained by those who can trace their own ring pedigree in one way or another to the fighting Nemis family of New Waterford and in particular Johnny, "trainer of champions."

Special Recognition Award: Hockey

Mike Campbell still plays competitive adult hockey at the age of 92. In his younger days, Mike was an excellent all around athlete. His love of hockey and his tremendous physical condition allows him to continue to play in three games per week.

Special Recognition Award: Harness Racing

Russell is an accomplished harness racing driver, trainer and owner who is still driving in competitive racing at the age of 85.