Windsor / Essex County Sports Hall of Fame

04/22/2026

🚨 The 2026 WECSHOF Induction Class is here! 🚨
Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce our honourable inductees for our 2026 Gala! 🏆
In the Athlete Category, we are honoured to induct:
Brandon McBride - Track & Field
Kamau Peterson - Football
Amanda Reason - Swimming
David Tremblay Jr. - Wrestling
Michael Whitehead - Wheelchair Rugby
In the Builders Category, we are honoured to induct:
Ross Spettigue - Football
David Tremblay Sr. - Wrestling
Egidio Novelletto - Handicapable Soccer
We are proud to announce our Bob Turner Award winner:
Lucien Gava
🎟️ Tickets are ON SALE NOW on www.WECSHOF.com

03/27/2026

📅 Mark your Calendars! The 44th Annual Windsor/Essex Sports Hall of Fame Gala has been set! 🏆
Join us on October 10th at the Giovanni Caboto Club as we honour the amazing Athletes and Builders who have left their mark in the sports world! It's going to be a BIG night, you won't want to miss it!
Stay Tuned! More information to come!

03/15/2026

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Windsor‑Essex County Sports Hall of Fame class of 1998 inductee Willie Greenwood.

Willie was one of those rare people who quietly shaped the sports community for generations.

A proud Windsor native, he dedicated decades of his life to athletics — not just as a player, but as a teacher, mentor, and official. Greenwood spent 47 years as a basketball official and 32 years as a football referee, helping guide countless games and athletes across Windsor and Essex County. 

His contributions went far beyond the whistle.
He coached youth baseball to an All-Ontario championship, organized community programs like Biddy Basketball, and was a constant presence supporting local sports. 

For nearly half a century, Willie Greenwood helped ensure that games were played fairly, young athletes were encouraged, and sport remained a cornerstone of the Windsor-Essex community.

That type of dedication doesn’t just build teams.
It builds a community.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the many athletes, coaches, and officials whose lives he touched.

Rest in peace, Willie.

Willie Greenwood enjoyed a 47-year career as a basketball official and a 32-year spell as a football referee. A longtime member of the Windsor Baseball Scorers Association, he devoted his time to officiating, coaching, and scoring games in several sports for decades.

02/22/2026

🏆 We Need Your Help.

The Windsor Essex County Sports Hall of Fame exists for three reason:

To celebrate excellence.
To inspire the next generation.
To protect the legacy of sport in our region.

But we can’t do it alone.

We are currently looking for community partners and sponsors who believe in:

✔ Supporting KIDS Sport and keeping kids active and healthy
✔ Funding our Student Athlete of the Year Bursaries
✔ Honouring local legends who shaped Windsor-Essex sports
✔ Investing in youth, leadership, and community pride

If your company values leadership, excellence, and community impact — this is your opportunity to stand behind something meaningful.

Every sponsorship dollar helps:

• Keep kids in the game
• Support graduating student athletes
• Celebrate over 40 years of regional sports excellence

If you’re interested — or know someone who should be part of this — please reach out.

02/07/2026

It is with deep sadness that we remember and celebrate the life of Lou Bendo (February 13, 1933 – February 4, 2026), a cherished figure in Windsor-Essex sports history and a proud inductee of the Windsor-Essex County Sports Hall of Fame. 

Lou Bendo’s name is synonymous with hard-nosed heart, skill and leadership on the ice. Born in Timmins, Ontario, he blossomed into one of the most respected hockey players of his era, earning early attention when he scored eight goals in a three-game provincial championship as a 16-year-old. 

His hockey journey included stints with the Toronto Marlboros and Stratford Indians, and even brief associations with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens organizations. But it was in Windsor that he truly made his mark. 

As captain of the Windsor Bulldogs through the late 1950s and early ’60s, Lou led the team with unwavering determination. Under his leadership the Bulldogs captured the 1963 Allan Cup, Canada’s senior amateur championship, and etched their name into local hockey lore. His skill and sportsmanship earned him the Hewas League MVP and multiple fan-voted Most Popular Player awards, and his scoring records stood among the team’s best. 

For his incredible contributions to the game and to our community, Lou was rightfully inducted into the Windsor-Essex County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999, ensuring his legacy will be remembered for generations. 

Beyond the statistics and accolades, Lou Bendo was a figure of passion and pride in Windsor-Essex hockey — a leader on the ice and a beloved part of our sporting community. Today we honour his life, his achievements, and the indelible mark he left on all who knew him and watched him play.

His memory will continue to inspire future generations of athletes and fans alike.

https://www.wecshof.com/team-1/bendo-lou

https://windsorstar.remembering.ca/obituary/louis-angelo-bendo-1093492917

Lou Bendo was a popular hockey player who captained the Windsor Bulldogs for seven years in the 1950s and ’60s. He led Windsor to the 1963 Allan Cup. A centre, Bendo had brief associations with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens.

02/02/2026

It is with deep sadness that we remember and honour the life of Denise Hebert, a remarkable coach, mentor, educator, and pillar of the track and field community.

Denise’s passion for athletics and her commitment to the development of young athletes left a lasting legacy in Windsor, Essex County, and across Canada. A native of Windsor, she was dedicated to coaching the throws — shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer — and her influence was felt by countless athletes she guided over more than 25 years.

She served on the coaching staff of Team Canada, leading athletes at multiple international competitions including the IAAF World Youth and Junior Championships, the Pan Am Juniors, and the World University Games. Denise also coached Team Ontario at Canadian Youth Championships and the 2005 Canada Games, and for more than a decade she was the throws coach for the University of Windsor Lancers, helping shape championship-level athletes.

Beyond her contributions on the field, Denise was a beloved teacher with the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board for over 30 years, where she helped young people grow in sport and in life.

In recognition of her extraordinary volunteer service to athletics, Denise was honoured with one of Canada’s highest civilian recognitions when she was appointed to the Order of Canada by the Governor General in 2017 — a testament to her enduring impact on sport and community.

Most recently, she was inducted into the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023 in the Builder category, celebrating her remarkable leadership and lifelong dedication to sport.

Denise’s legacy will live on in the athletes she coached, the students she taught, and the countless lives she touched with her generosity, passion, and spirit. She leaves behind not only records and titles, but a community forever enriched by her passion and example.

Obituary and Visitation Schedule
https://www.familiesfirst.ca/memorials/denise-hebert/5683334/

If a local athlete enjoyed success throwing the shot put, discus , javelin or hammer over the last 30 years, it’s likely they were coached by Denise Hebert.

01/28/2026

Hello friends of the Windsor Essex County Sports Hall of Fame,

This year, we’re starting earlier—and it’s intentional.

The Hall of Fame proudly supports the Student-Athlete of the Year bursary and KidsSport Windsor-Essex. These programs help young athletes stay in the game and chase their potential.

But they don’t happen by accident.

Together, these two initiatives cost over $20,000 each year to fund:

• $10,000 supports four $2,500 Student-Athlete of the Year awards

• The remaining funds go directly to KidsSport Windsor-Essex, helping underprivileged children get—and stay—active in sport

That’s why we’re launching our sponsorship and advertising campaign earlier than ever, to build strong partnerships and ensure these initiatives continue to grow.

A quick note on transparency:

We’re currently in the process of obtaining our CRA charitable designation. Until that’s finalized, we’re unable to issue tax receipts. For now, all support is structured through sponsorship and advertising partnerships, offering visibility and recognition in return.

If supporting youth, sport, and community matters to you, we’d love to work together.

🔗 Learn more about our mission: https://www.wecshof.com/about-8

Thank you for continuing to support the Hall of Fame—and the athletes we celebrate.

Beginning in 1950 the Royal Arcanum Award was given each year to the outstanding high school male athlete in Windsor/Essex County. 

01/15/2026

It is with great sadness that the Windsor-Essex County Sports Hall of Fame shares the passing of Hall of Famer Ernestine Russell, a member of the 1981 inaugural class, and one of Canada’s true pioneers in sport and one of Windsor’s most accomplished athletes.

A proud Windsor native, Ernestine was a two-time Olympic gymnast, representing Canada at the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome Olympic Games, and is widely recognized as one of the first Canadian women to achieve international prominence in gymnastics. She was also a multiple-time national champion and a standout competitor at the Pan American Games.

Following her competitive career, Ernestine dedicated her life to coaching and mentoring, shaping the development of countless young athletes and leaving an enduring mark on the sport of gymnastics in both Canada and the United States.

Her legacy of excellence, leadership, and perseverance will forever remain part of Windsor-Essex’s sporting history.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ernestine’s family, friends, and the many athletes and colleagues whose lives she touched.

To learn more about Ernestine, please visit:
WECSHOF: https://www.wecshof.com/team-1/russell-ernestine

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernestine_Russell

Michigan State Gymnastics, Gymnastics Canada Gymnastique University of Florida Florida Gators Canadian Olympic Foundation

Ernestine Jean Russell (June 10, 1938 – 14 January 2026), later known by her married names Ernestine Carter and Ernestine Weaver, was a Canadian gymnast and American former college gymnastics coach. She represented Canada in the 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics. Although Russell won no medals in her ...

01/05/2026

The Windsor Essex County Sports Hall of Fame is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Tony Dennis, a remarkable athlete, coach, and community builder whose influence on football — and on people — will endure for generations.

Tony was a standout wide receiver whose professional career included time in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and whose legacy at Simon Fraser University remains etched in the record books decades later. Small in stature but mighty in determination, Tony’s work ethic, grit, and heart for the game set him apart and inspired everyone around him.

Beyond the field, Tony devoted himself to developing young athletes as a beloved community football coach with the Titans in British Columbia, where he helped raise the bar for excellence, discipline, and sportsmanship — paving the way for countless players to succeed both in sport and in life.

In 2003, Tony suffered a massive stroke that forever changed his physical abilities. Yet, in true Tony fashion, he refused to let it define him. For the next 22 years, he lived with extraordinary courage and independence, becoming a familiar and friendly face throughout Windsor — often seen walking the riverfront or riding the city bus, striking up conversations, making friends, and leaving every interaction a little brighter.

Tony passed away on January 3, 2026, surrounded by family. He was 63.

He is lovingly remembered by his children Chase, Caelan, Shelby, Samuel, and Serene, his grandchildren Elijah and Julien, his parents Glenn and Gail, and his siblings Gene, Tim, Scott, Celeste, Richard, and Mark — along with the many communities across Canada whose lives he touched.

As longtime Hall of Fame supporter Bill McCurdy shared:

“Tony was instrumental in paving the way to success for many and raised the bar in the football community.”

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Tony’s family and all who were privileged to know him.
His legacy of perseverance, kindness, and love for the game will forever remain part of our sporting history.

💙 Rest in peace, Tony.

https://www.wecshof.com/team-1/dennis-tony

01/03/2026

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Morgan “Rocky” Clark, a cherished member of the Windsor-Essex community who passed away on December 31, 2025, at the age of 90. Morgan’s life was defined by his unwavering dedication to local sport and youth development, and his impact will be felt for generations. 

For more than four decades, Morgan played an integral role in the Windsor-Essex athletic community — from firing the starter’s pistol at local track and field meets for 43 years, to teaching, coaching, and officiating across multiple sports. He spent 34 years teaching and coaching at the grade school and high school levels, served as a basketball and football referee, and was a respected assistant coach with the University of Windsor Lancers’ football program for 29 years. 

In recognition of his extraordinary service and lasting contributions, Morgan was honored with the Bob Turner Award by the Windsor-Essex County Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025 — a testament to his deep commitment to athletics, mentorship, and community engagement. 

His leadership on and off the field, his passion for sport, and his tireless support of young athletes touched countless lives. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him during this difficult time.

May his legacy continue to inspire those who follow in his footsteps.

Anyone who has participated in track and field locally over the past 40-plus years likely got their start from Morgan Clark- literally.

12/31/2025