Tillsonburg announces 2024 Sports Hall of Fame inductees
The Town of Tillsonburg will welcome new inductees into the Tillsonburg Sports Hall of Fame during the 2026 Induction Ceremony, taking place Thursday, May 21 at the Tillsonburg Community Centre.
Established in 2003, the Sports Hall of Fame honours past and present residents who have made outstanding contributions to sport, as athletes, team members, coaches, or builders. At the discretion of the nominating committee, non-residents who have made significant contributions to sport in Tillsonburg may also be recognized.
Following a review of community submissions, Town Council has approved the following individuals for induction:
Individual
Judy, Karen, and Christine Liwanpo are being inducted under the Individual Athlete category for their exceptional achievements in tennis. The triplets attended elementary school in Tillsonburg and went on to Glendale High School from 1994–1998, where they quickly became standout athletes. Together, they helped Glendale capture five Oxford-Elgin conference team championships in tennis during their secondary school years.
All three found success immediately. In Grade 9, Judy won the Junior Girls Singles Oxford-Elgin title, while Karen and Christine claimed the Junior Girls Doubles championship. Although still junior-aged, the sisters were moved up to compete at the senior level for the remainder of high school. Judy went on to reach the Oxford-Elgin finals in Grade 10, qualifying for WOSSA, where she earned gold. She continued her strong run by securing two additional WOSSA gold medals in girls singles. Karen and Christine dominated as a doubles team, winning Oxford-Elgin titles three more times and capturing four consecutive WOSSA gold medals, going undefeated at the event throughout their high school careers. In total, the sisters amassed an impressive 11 WOSSA gold medals.
In Grades 12 and 13, all three players qualified for OFSAA. Judy advanced to the quarter‑finals in Grade 12 and the semi‑finals in Grade 13, while Karen and Christine reached the OFSAA finals in both of their senior years. Their success earned each of them a tennis scholarship to American universities, where they continued both their academic and athletic pursuits. In 2003, the triplets competed together internationally at the Indian Ocean Island Games, helping their team secure the bronze medal.
Remy Donaldson is being inducted under the Individual Athlete category for his outstanding achievements across multiple sports. Remy began competing in swimming at age eight with the Tillsonburg Torpedoes, qualifying for national-level Youth Cup events and earning more than 100 ribbons and 40 medals. His strongest events were the 100m and 200m backstroke, where he set pool records and represented the region at provincial and Eastern Cup competitions.
At Glendale High School, Remy excelled in tennis, volleyball, and basketball. In tennis, he was an Oxford-Elgin champion in both junior and senior boy’s doubles and a WOSSA AA semi-finalist, while also earning his Ontario Association tournament badge and the Olympic Gold Award at Camp Olympia.
In volleyball, Remy helped lead Glendale to Oxford-Elgin Conference Championships in Grades 9 and 12, and to multiple conference finalist finishes. He was part of teams that earned WOSSA AA silver medals in Grades 9, 10, and 12 before capturing the WOSSA AA Championship in Grade 13 and advancing to the OFSAA quarterfinals. Over his volleyball career, he earned six medals in total along with several tournament MVP honours.
Remy was equally impressive in basketball. His teams won Oxford and Oxford-Elgin championships, reached multiple WOSSA AA finals, and twice qualified for OFSAA. He earned MVP honours at the Junior Captains/Veterans Game, was an all-star at the Tillsonburg Classic, and captained the Woodstock Optimist team to a Juvenile “A” provincial title in 1994. In his final year, he captained both Glendale’s basketball and volleyball teams to WOSSA AA gold—making school history by qualifying both teams for OFSAA in the same year.
Following high school, Remy played basketball for the University of Waterloo from 1995–1999, earning several tournament medals and ranking among the OUA leaders in foul shooting and three-point percentage. In 1998, he helped Waterloo defeat two nationally ranked teams to qualify for the Canadian University Championships in Halifax.
Team
The Senior Men’s Tillsonburg Legion Track & Field Club Cross Country Running Team is being inducted under the Team category for its outstanding accomplishments during the 1985 season. Led by coach Dave Mills, the team consisted of Ron Becht, Claus Rinne, Rick Cornelissen, Adrian Shorter, Tim Wood, Steve Connor, and Mike King. While several runners were born and raised in Tillsonburg and others lived in the surrounding area, the group came together to form a cohesive and highly competitive distance running team.
In 1985, the squad captured both the Ontario Senior Men’s Cross Country team championship and the Canadian Senior Men’s Cross Country team championship, marking an exceptional dual triumph at the provincial and national levels. Their Canadian title cemented the Tillsonburg Legion team’s place among the strongest cross country programs in the country that year.
Under Dave Mills’ guidance, the team demonstrated depth, preparation, and a commitment to excellence. Their achievements stand as a significant milestone in Tillsonburg’s athletic history and continue to represent one of the community’s great accomplishments in endurance sport.
Builder
Steve Garnham is being inducted under the Builder category for his extensive contributions to officiating and hockey development in Tillsonburg and the Southern Counties region. Steve began officiating at age 14 and joined the Tillsonburg Minor Hockey Board of Directors in 1998, becoming Referee in Chief in 2001. From the outset, he played a pivotal role in raising the profile of Southern Counties officials, ensuring they were recognized and selected for year-end provincial tournaments, opportunities that were previously dominated by larger urban centres.
For nearly two decades, Steve served as Referee in Chief for both Tillsonburg Minor Hockey and the Southern Counties Minor Hockey Association. His responsibilities included scheduling officials locally, organizing out of town travel assignments for the Southern Counties Rep League, and assigning neutral officials for all OMHA playoff games from U9 to U18. As an OMHA supervisor, he mentored countless young officials, offering guidance, instruction, and support that helped shape their development. He also served on several committees within both the OMHA Officiating and Supervisor Programs.
In addition to his work within minor hockey, Steve coordinated officiating for high school hockey in the region and was instrumental in bringing the WOSSA finals back to Oxford County by securing top level local officials for the event. Over the years, he earned numerous high-profile assignments, including the OMHA AAA Peewee gold medal game (2004–05), AAA Peewee bronze medal game as linesman (2006–07), and the OMHA AAA Midget division (2008–09). He also officiated at the OHF Peewee A championships and made regular appearances at OMHA finals as both referee and linesman.
Through leadership, advocacy, and decades of service, Steve Garnham significantly strengthened the officiating community in Tillsonburg and beyond, leaving a lasting legacy within local and regional hockey.
Lifetime Achievement Recognition
Colin Campbell is being celebrated for his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. This remarkable honour reflects a lifetime devoted to the game of hockey and an influence that has shaped the sport at its highest levels.
Colin’s journey began right here in Tillsonburg. The son of longtime town employee and Arena Manager Jack Campbell, he grew up at the rink learning the game, respecting it, and developing the work ethic that would carry him far beyond our community. Those early days in our arena laid the foundation for a career that would take him to the world stage.
As a player, Colin enjoyed a lengthy professional career in the National Hockey League, earning respect for his competitiveness, toughness, and leadership. He later moved behind the bench as a head coach, further deepening his understanding of the game from every angle.
It was in his executive role, however, that Colin’s impact became truly transformational. For more than 25 years as Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations in the NHL, he has been one of the league’s most influential decision makers. He has overseen discipline, officiating standards, and rule interpretation during some of the most pivotal eras in modern hockey. He played a central role in the modernization of the game helping implement rule changes following the 2004–05 lockout that increased speed, skill, and scoring, and guiding the expansion and refinement of video review to enhance fairness and accountability.
Colin has also been instrumental in the NHL’s international growth. Through global initiatives, international competition planning, and collaboration with players, coaches, and executives worldwide, he has helped “open up” the game and position it for worldwide expansion. His leadership has helped shape how hockey is played, governed, and experienced not only in North America but across the globe.
Few individuals have influenced the structure, integrity, and evolution of professional hockey the way Colin Campbell has. His career reflects not only longevity, but lasting impact.
More details about the Induction Ceremony will be shared soon.
For additional information about the Sports Hall of Fame, visit www.tillsonburg.ca/hof.