Hall of Fame Inductees

Annually at Homecoming, former Athletes, Coaches and Administrators are inducted into the Sheridan Bruins Hall of Fame

The first induction ceremony occurred on Nov. 17,2000 when 4 former athletes, 3 former coaches and 1 builder were inducted into the Hall of Fame which was officially opened on that date. Hall of Fame Inductees:

Inducted Nov. 17, 2000

Athletes

Bill Currie, Hockey – 1967-1970

Bill was the very first captain of the Sheridan Bruins hockey team which captured a Central Division Championship and played in the OCAA finals in 1968-69. He continued to lead his team in his graduating year, accumulating an impressive 30 points for a defenseman – 13 goals and 17 assists. In recognition of his impact as a player and leader, he was honoured with the Ray McAfee Trophy as Athlete of the Year two consecutive years.

Amy Ramsay, Hockey - 1977-1979

Amy ‘s outstanding skating and intense competitiveness made her tough to contain. In only two seasons, she managed to acquire a total of 97 career points – 53 goals and 44 assists. In her first year, she helped her team win a silver medal at the OCAA Provincial tournament and then captained the team in her last year and won Sheridan’s Female Athlete of the Year award.

Sue Alexander-Whelan, Volleyball - 1980 - 1982

Sue served as team captain and was selected Women’s Volleyball MVP for both years she played at Sheridan. In her second year she received further recognition as Female Athlete of the Year. Upon graduation Sue helped coach Sheridan to an OCAA championship in 1985 and a fifth place finish at the Nationals.

Mike Albert, Volleyball - 1988 - 1992

Setter and captain from 1988-92 – the Men’s Volleyball team never lost an OCCA championship during this time – Upon graduating he helped as an assistant coach and won 2 more provincial titles. In four years he led the team to a silver medal in 1990, a bronze medal in 1991 and 2 fourth place finishes.

Coaches

Bernie Custis, Football – 1972-1980

In eight years his teams won 86 games vs 14 losses . His teams won six straight Eastern College Championships from 1973-78. Beside emphasizing physical conditioning, Bernie managed to coach winning teams because players learned responsibility, discipline and respect.

Doug Peters, Hockey – 1973-1978

In his first year as hockey coach, Doug saw dramatic results with a first place finish and Sheridan’s first provincial hockey championship. In the1976-77 season, Doug lead the Bruins hockey team to Europe for a five game Christmas tour. That same year, even though Sheridan did not win the OCAA title, they participated in the National Championship as host team and captured a silver medal.

Paul Reader, Volleyball – 1977-1994

Under Paul’s guidance, the Bruins won 11 OCAA championships and four national medals. Paul has received many provincial and national awards for his outstanding coaching but the following statistics demonstrate his ability to develop young athletes to reach their potential. He coached 32 OCAA league and tournament All-stars, 10 CCAA tournament All-Canadians and 15 CCAA All-Canadians.

Builder

Ray McAfee - 1967-1969

Early faculty member who initiated sport programs at the college and volunteered to coach various teams - In honour of the first Sheridan teams, Ray created the Ray McAfee Award to recognize annually Sheridan’s outstanding athlete..

Builders

John Cruickshank – 1968 –1979

When John became Sheridan’s first Athletic Director on Jan. 1, 1969, he began the job with no gymnasium, no playing fields, no arena, no tennis courts – what he did have was plenty of enthusiasm, energy, honesty, knowledge and administrative qualities. He established a solid hockey program attracting many supporters, expanded the varsity program to include sports like golf, tennis, cross country running, and judo, over saw the construction of the tennis courts, football field and a new athletic facility at the Brampton Campus, and hired many successful coaches. By the time he resigned to move onto Seneca College, the department supported 15 varsity sports, which had earned 15 OCAA Championships.

Athletes

Ed Bajon, Football - 1973 – 1977

Ed played varsity football for four years and contributed another 3 years to the program as an assistant coach with Bernie Custis. He was a very versatile player, playing offensive end, linebacker and on specialty teams. During his football career he lead his team to four consecutive Eastern Canadian Championships, was named to the all-star team and was honoured as Sheridan’s Athlete of the Year in 1976

Nick Maandag, Basketball – 1974-1978

Although Nick arrived at Sheridan with only 1 year of high school basketball experience, his outstanding athletic ability and great desire made him into one of the best all-round players in Sheridan’s history. He was named Basketball MVP in 1976 and 1977 and was honoured as Sheridan’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1978.

Sherry Metheringham-Simmons, Badminton – 1988-1990

In her rookie season, Sherry achieved success immediately by winning the OCAA Singles Championship title and finished fourth at the Canadian Championships. These accomplishments earned her the Female Athlete of the Year award in 1989. She repeated her success at the provincial level in her second year and brought home a bronze medal from the nationals in 1990. When Sherry was selected Female Athlete of the Year for 1990, she became the only female to win the award back to back. Sherry continued to make a contribution to badminton at Sheridan by serving as an assistant coach the next year.

Jim Takacs, Soccer/ Football – 1978 – 1980

Jim was an outstanding soccer player. As a striker, he scored 23 goals during the two seasons he played, placing him 10th overall in OCAA scoring. He won the scoring title for soccer during 1979-80 season by netting 14 goals, seven of these goals were scored in the last match of the season alone. He shared the soccer MVP honours that year. Jim was not only a prolific scorer for the Varsity Soccer team, but he also had time to serve as place kicker for the football team for both years.

Athletes

Martin Johnston, Basketball - 1984 - 1986

Martin was one of the very first scholarship athletes at Sheridan. He had an unbelievable first year, winning 21 out of 22 league games, the school’s first OCAA basketball championship and then a CCAA Championship. Martin lead the team in rebounding and field goal percentage, averaging 11 points per game. He won numerous all-star awards that first year. His second season brought similar success, winning a second OCAA title in overtime at Sheridan and then the silver medal at the CCAA. Martin was named a CCAA all-star as well as Team co-MVP with Bruce Nelson.

Steve Ackroyd, Football – 1976-1978

In Steve’s first year he was named MVP in the championship game after intercepting 3 passes, halting their opponents drive down the field and was all over the field making crucial tackles. He also ran back a 46 yard punt return to score important points for a win. The two years he played, the team won both the Ontario and Eastern Canadian Championships. Steve was the Football Coaches’ award winner in 1977-78 and was the first student athlete to have his jersey number “33” retired.

Coaches

Brian Ratcliffe, Soccer – 1987-1995

Brian joined the Sheridan coaching staff in 1987 and had an immediate impact on Sheridan’s soccer success. He had success with both the outdoor and indoor soccer programs. Brian’s teams won a bronze medal and then a gold OCAA medal in indoor soccer and earned two gold OCAA Soccer Championships – 1990-91 and 1992-93. The Bruins came home with the silver medal from the CCAA Championships the first year and a bronze medal the second year. For his efforts, Brian was named OCAA Coach- of the Year three times.

Athletes

Gary Brooks, Football - 1975-1977

Gary was an all-star cornerback on Sheridan's 3rd. and 4th. Ontario Football Championship teams and went on to spend sometime with the Hamilton Ti-cats of the CFL. He helped lead the team to two Eastern Canadian Football Championships as well. His last minute dramatic performance in Montreal in 1975 to catch the football between 2 defenders to score a 71 yard touchdown and his first Eastern Canadian Football Championship earned him the Sheridan Sun Most Newsworthly Award that year.

Eric Duncan , Hockey - 1973-1975

Eric was part of a prolific scoring line that tore up the OCAA hockey league in the 73-74 season on their way to Sheridan's first ever Provincial Crown. During the two years that Eric played, the team had impressive records - 14-3-2 in 1973-74 and 20-2-1 in 1974-75. Unfortunately Sheridan lost the rematch with St. Clair for the Championship title in Eric's second year. Eric's leadership and production was a model to his teammates. In 42 games, his career OCAA scoring was 58 goals and 72 assists for 130 points. Eric came 2nd. both years in league scoring, was named MVP in hockey in 73-74 and Athlete of the Year in 74-75

Martin Kerstens, Volleyball - 1978 - 1980

Martin was of primary importance in the beginning of the Bruins volleyball championship run which saw Sheridan win 10 championships following their first OCAA title in 1979. During Martin's volleyball career he won 2 consecutive OCAA gold medals, was named to the OCAA all-star team, was selected an All- Canadian and voted the league's best spiker. He also received Sheridan honours, being voted team M.V.P. and Male Athlete of the Year

BUILDER

Barbara Ford - 1973 - 1993

Barbara served as Athletic Dept. office manager for 20 years. By 1980 she was managing a Dept. which totaled 10 full time staff and 16 varsirty teams with their corresponding coaches and assistants. Barb played a major part in the hosting of 3 National tournaments , Provinicial Championship event and annual Athletic Awards Banquets.

Varsity Bruins Football Team - 1973 -1974

The 1973 Buins Football team won Sheridan's first ever OCAA Championship completing the season with a 7win - 1 loss record and a birth in the Eastern Canadian Championship where they defeated CEGEP Vanier 24-17. It was the first of an incredible 6 Eastern Canadian Championships in a row. Over 20 former players and coach Bernie Cutis joined us at the induction ceremony.

BUILDER/COACH

Dick Ruschiensky - 1970 - 2000

Dick began his tenure as Men's Basketball coach in 1971, leading the Bruins to the first OCAA Championship tournament in 1973. At the same time he coached the Golf team for 21 years winning 2 OCAA championships. He administered a variety of other sports up until 1979 when he became the Athletic Directo. The 1980's saw the Bruins win Ontario Championships in many sports dominating men's basketball and volleyball - Bruins won a National Men's Volleyball title and 2 National Men's Basketball title while Dick served as Athletic Director.

Athlete

Chris Tiernay, Volleyball- 1981 - 1984

Chris was an outstanding member of the Men's Volleyball team from '81-84 during which time the Bruins won a Silver and two Gold medals at OCAA Provincial Championships. He was awarded the Athlete of Year honours in his first year and helped to set a number of records - the team went undefeated for most of the 83-84 season, ending with a 20 win - 2 loss record and won 5 college invitational tournaments. Chris won many All-star awards and tournament and OCAA league MVP awards.

Varsity Bruins Hockey Team - 1973-1974

The Bruins had the top offence and the best goals against, always hockey's winning combination as they lead the OCAA South Division hockey league, eliminating Seneca in arough, physical play-off to qualify for the Championship tournament. There they crushed the host, Northern Huskies 10-1 and destroyed the perennial powerhouse, St. Clair Saints in the final game - 6-2. This was the second Provinical title for the Bruins that year duplicating the Football team's effort.

Athlete

Clayton Blakeley, Hockey, 1989-1992

Clayton was a member of the Bruins Hockey team for three seasons. He was an intense competitor, bringing energy and enthusiasm even to the practice rink. He was tough as was required yet only averaged 23 penalty minutes per season. He imptoved his goal production each year, setting the all time career scoring mark of 151 points and holds the number one spot for most career goals with 67. In his final year he was a first team all-star, team MVP and Male Athlete of the Year.

Sandra Hamilton, Basketball-1986-1988

Sandra arrived at Sheridan in 1986 to persue a career in Fashion Design and play a sport she dearly loved, only to find out that Women's Basketball didn't exist. So, she simply recruited enough players for a club team to compete against other college teams. Her Outstanding shooting ability made everyone sit up and take notice. In her second year, Sheridan entered the OCAA Women's Basketball league where Sandra continued to shine. She was selected as an OCAA All-star and All Canadian, averaging 22.9 points per game.She was also named Female Athlete of the Year.

Varsity Bruins Basketball Team - 1984-1985

The 1984-85 Baskteball team sported an overall record of 40 wins and 5 losses and a league record of 21-1. The 40 wins is a Sheridan record and the 5 losses included only 1 loss vs a CCAA opponent. Their OCAA Championship that year was the first of 8 basketball championships - an OCAA record. This team of outstanding players and coaches easily defeated their opponents at CCAA national tournament - their first of two national titles.