Fanshawe athletes headed to OCAA Hall of Fame
For two Fanshawe alumni, one
an athlete and the other a coach,
heading to the Ontario Colleges
Athletic Association Hall of Fame
is a gift beyond measure. Bob
Armstrong, from Ingersoll, is a
curler and Cindy Huras is a badminton
coach from St. Thomas:
both have garnered much praise for
their skill and leadership ability.
"Both Armstrong and Huras were honoured to be headed to the OCAA Sports Hall of Fame back in May. It just says volumes about the level of programming we have for both of these individuals," stated Eric Collins, Athletic Officer at the Athletic Department at Fanshawe College.
"We are among the leaders in the OCAA, and it's not just now. All through, we have had a historical significance — there is a history we are very proud of. There is a big family of athletes (from Fanshawe). One of the reasons why we are so proud is that is two of our own that are being honoured."
Armstrong competed on the men's and mixed curling teams for three years in the 1980s. "His success on both teams helped Fanshawe earn two OCAA gold medals and a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association gold medal," Collins remarked. During his rookie season from 1986 to 1987, Armstrong's teams earned a Mixed Division West Regional gold medal and an OCAA gold medal. He was also named as the Mixed Division All-Star for that season. He followed that up in 1988/1989, with a men's gold medal on the provincial and national stages. In his final season in 1989, his team won an OCAA bronze medal.
"He was given the CCAA National Fair Play award, which is another reason why we are so proud of him," added Collins. "That's a big thing here at Fanshawe: there is a push for fair play and that's something we are very proud of whenever our athletes receive awards like that. He was also named Fanshawe College's Male Athlete of the Year."
Collins was as enthusiastic when describing Huras' achievements.
"Cindy was a head (badminton) coach from 2000 to 2008. She was not only a wonderful coach, but also a friend and mentor to the program. Her tenure at Fanshawe includes five OCAA gold medals, one OCAA silver medal, three OCAA bronze medals and one CCAA bronze medal. She also coached her team to an OCAA Championship in 2006/2007."
Collins described Huras' history as an accomplished player as well: she competed in the Junior Pan- American Games for Team Canada in 1977 and earned a gold medal at the Ontario Winter Games in 1985.
"She was ranked in the top 10 of all badminton players in Canada during the 1984/1985 season. She was also a former Athlete Of The Year for Fanshawe," he added.
Mike Lindsay, Fanshawe College's Manager of Athletics, said, "It's always gratifying to support a past athlete who embarks on a coaching career. Huras is a perfect example of a coach giving back to athletes and sharing what she experienced as a former athlete at Fanshawe."
Collins added, "It's a legacy we like to honour. We talk about passing a torch on from generation to generation, and she was definitely someone who linked those two together."
Huras is currently continuing her 32-year coaching career with the Brantford Badminton Club and trains and certifies coaches through Badminton Ontario and the National Coaching Certification Program as a course conductor.
"Both Armstrong and Huras were honoured to be headed to the OCAA Sports Hall of Fame back in May. It just says volumes about the level of programming we have for both of these individuals," stated Eric Collins, Athletic Officer at the Athletic Department at Fanshawe College.
"We are among the leaders in the OCAA, and it's not just now. All through, we have had a historical significance — there is a history we are very proud of. There is a big family of athletes (from Fanshawe). One of the reasons why we are so proud is that is two of our own that are being honoured."
Armstrong competed on the men's and mixed curling teams for three years in the 1980s. "His success on both teams helped Fanshawe earn two OCAA gold medals and a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association gold medal," Collins remarked. During his rookie season from 1986 to 1987, Armstrong's teams earned a Mixed Division West Regional gold medal and an OCAA gold medal. He was also named as the Mixed Division All-Star for that season. He followed that up in 1988/1989, with a men's gold medal on the provincial and national stages. In his final season in 1989, his team won an OCAA bronze medal.
"He was given the CCAA National Fair Play award, which is another reason why we are so proud of him," added Collins. "That's a big thing here at Fanshawe: there is a push for fair play and that's something we are very proud of whenever our athletes receive awards like that. He was also named Fanshawe College's Male Athlete of the Year."
Collins was as enthusiastic when describing Huras' achievements.
"Cindy was a head (badminton) coach from 2000 to 2008. She was not only a wonderful coach, but also a friend and mentor to the program. Her tenure at Fanshawe includes five OCAA gold medals, one OCAA silver medal, three OCAA bronze medals and one CCAA bronze medal. She also coached her team to an OCAA Championship in 2006/2007."
Collins described Huras' history as an accomplished player as well: she competed in the Junior Pan- American Games for Team Canada in 1977 and earned a gold medal at the Ontario Winter Games in 1985.
"She was ranked in the top 10 of all badminton players in Canada during the 1984/1985 season. She was also a former Athlete Of The Year for Fanshawe," he added.
Mike Lindsay, Fanshawe College's Manager of Athletics, said, "It's always gratifying to support a past athlete who embarks on a coaching career. Huras is a perfect example of a coach giving back to athletes and sharing what she experienced as a former athlete at Fanshawe."
Collins added, "It's a legacy we like to honour. We talk about passing a torch on from generation to generation, and she was definitely someone who linked those two together."
Huras is currently continuing her 32-year coaching career with the Brantford Badminton Club and trains and certifies coaches through Badminton Ontario and the National Coaching Certification Program as a course conductor.
