Several individuals and one team are being inducted into the Sarnia-Lambton Sports Hall of Fame.
The class of 2023 will be honoured at an enshrinement dinner on October 14 at the Dante Club in Sarnia.
Brett Gray, Abby Pearson-Spadafora, Kevin Schofield, Dr. John Vargo, Gene Fleet, Arthur White, Tyler McGregor, Elaine Hayter, and the 1989 Sarnia Pacers lacrosse club are among the inductees. The late John "Jack" Zonneville is also being recognized by the Hall of Fame.
Gray is the winner of the professional athlete category for his accomplishments in baseball. His pro career began in 1998 with Kalamazoo of the Frontier League. He went on to play with the London Werewolves and was later signed by the Cincinnati Reds and assigned to Dayton in the Midwest League.
In the amateur athlete category, Pearson-Spadafora and Schofield are recognized for their success in gymnastics and the World Police and Fire Games, respectively. Pearson-Spadafora competed for the Canadian national team and the University of Arizona, and participated in the 2000 Olympic trials. Schofield has won 28 medals - 16 being gold - in his field.
The Special Achievement category belongs to Dr. John Vargo this year for his work as a sports injury specialist. He has traveled with Athletics Canada to the Commonwealth Games and world championships as part of their medical team. He also does chiropractic treatments for the Sarnia Sting and works as a consultant to professional hockey and football players.
Fleet earned the Earl MacKenzie Award for his 34 years as a local football coach while White will take home the Bud Morrison Award for his longtime involvement in youth hockey, figure skating, soccer, track, volleyball, baseball, two-pitch, and basketball programs.
The Jack Isom Award goes to McGregor for his international hockey accomplishments at the para world championships and the Paralympic Winter Games.
Zonneville is being honoured posthumously in the Builder category for his efforts in getting lacrosse established in Sarnia. He helped launch the Sarnia Minor Athletic Association lacrosse program and wore many hats for the organization. He also worked with the Southwest Ontario Lacrosse League and the 1971 Sarnia Juvenile Ontario championship team.
Hayter is also recognized for her community contributions with the Rose Hodgson Memorial Award. The honouree serves as senior development manager for the local kidney foundation.
Finally, the 1989 Sarnia Pacers lacrosse club will be saluted for their Ontario Intermediate "A" first place finish.