Oshawa Sports Hall Of Fame

It was amazing having the 1986-87 Oshawa Generals team back in Oshawa for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The legendary 1986-87 Oshawa Generals squad remains one of the most talented in franchise history, dominating the regular season with a 49-14-3 record to capture the OHL Leyden Division title. Led by general manager Sherry BasBassin and head coach Paul Theriault — who was honoured with the Matt Leyden Trophy as coach of the year — the team displayed resilience and skill when it mattered most. They defeated the North Bay Centennials in two gruelingven-game series: first to win the OHL Super Series, securing the right to host the Memorial Cup, and again to hoist the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions.

The Generals swept the round-robin portion of the Memorial Cup at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium but fell just short in the final, losing to the Medicine Hat Tigers. The depth of talent on this roster was impressive; 21 of the 22 players on the regular roster went on to play professional hockey, with 12 reaching the National Hockey League. Individual brilliance shone brightly as well, with Scott McCrory leading both the team and the league with 150 points to win the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, along with the Red Tilson Trophy as the league’s most outstanding player.

The legacy of this team extends far beyond that single season. Five members of the staff have already been inducted into the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame, and five have gone on to work in the NHL.

Congratulations to 2026 Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Ross Francis.

Born in Oshawa, Ross Francis was a dominant force on the gridiron, beginning his journey at Eastdale Collegiate, where he played from 1971 to 1976. He was instrumental in Eastdale’s 1974 LOSSA football championship victory, earning recognition as the game’s most outstanding player.

Ross went on to a stellar collegiate career at Queen’s University, playing both offensive and defensive tackle. He captured Yates Cup conference titles in 1977 and 1978 and helped lead the Golden Gaels to the Vanier Cup national championship in 1978. In 1980, Ross was voted the team’s most valuable lineman and MVP, and was named a CIAU all-Canadian. His prowess was not limited to the field; in 1981, he received the Queen’s University Jenkins Award for best combining scholastic and athletic excellence.

Selected in the first round of the 1980 CFL draft by the Edmonton Eskimos, Ross played professionally for Edmonton, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa Rough Riders between 1981 and 1986. He was a Grey Cup finalist with Hamilton and a recipient of a CFL award as part of the most outstanding offensive line in 1983. Ross retired in his prime to pursue a successful career as a corporate lawyer in Toronto after earning his law degree from Osgoode Hall. He currently resides in Huntsville.

Congratulations to Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Rob Grepe (builder).

Born in Oshawa, Rob Grepe attended R.S. McLaughlin Collegiate before attending the University of Arkansas on an athletic scholarship.

Although entering the Hall as a builder, Rob was a formidable athlete in his own right, competing at OFSAA and national championships in cross country during high school. He later became a Canadian champion in both duathlon and triathlon, competing at three world championships, finishing as high as 10th.

Rob returned to R.S. McLaughlin as a teacher and helped build a high school dynasty as a coach. Between 2002 and 2014, Rob led the Trojans to an incredible 42 LOSSA championships in cross country and track and field, as well as six OFSAA cross country titles and 14 OFSAA team medals. His guidance helped 17 of his student-athletes earn NCAA scholarships. He received the OFSAA Convener Award for cross country in 2022.

Beyond the high school level, Rob spent 10 years coaching track and cross country with the Toronto Olympic Club. He served as a Team Ontario track coach for three years leading up to the 2009 Canada Summer Games and was a member of the coaching staff for Canada at the NACAC championships in 2014. Rob has also been instrumental in the development of elite talent, having coached five Olympic athletes, including Oshawa’s Matt Hughes.

Congratulations to Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Bob Solomon (athlete/builder).

Born in Oshawa and a lifelong resident of the city, Bob Solomon was the backbone of the legendary Oshawa Tony’s fastball team, serving as the catcher from 1968 to 1978.

Bob guided the team through a dynasty of success. They captured the OASA Senior A championship in three consecutive years from 1968 to 1970, and dominated the Oshawa and District League with championships from 1968 to 1971 inclusive. In 1972, the team expanded its dominance, winning both the Toronto and District and the Ontario/Michigan League championships.

The 1974 season was a pinnacle, as the team won both the Ontario and Canadian championships in British Columbia. During that national tournament, Bob set a Canadian record with 63 putouts, a feat that earned him a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The team’s excellence continued on the global stage. They toured New Zealand and hosted the Canadian championship in 1975, where they were finalists, and competed in the World Series of Fastball in Edmonton in 1976. In 1977, they won all five Ontario Fastball League tournaments. They capped off the era by winning the Ontario Fastball League title in 1978 and finishing third at the World Championships.

Off the field, Bob served as president of the Oshawa Slow-Pitch Association, where he spearheaded the development of ball diamonds in south Oshawa. He also coached at Durham College and played for the successful Roy’s Enterprise slo-pitch team.

What a great night at the Tribute Communities Centre. Photos coming out shortly from the 2026 Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony!

Scott Dennis: Here are some of the items that belonged to 2026 Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame inductee Ross Francis during his football career in the CIAU and CFL.

Born in Oshawa, Ross Francis was a dominant force on the gridiron, beginning his journey at Eastdale Collegiate, where he played from 1971 to 1976. He was instrumental in Eastdale’s 1974 LOSSA football championship victory, earning recognition as the game’s most outstanding player.

Ross went on to a stellar collegiate career at Queen’s University, playing both offensive and defensive tackle. He captured Yates Cup conference titles in 1977 and 1978 and helped lead the Golden Gaels to the Vanier Cup national championship in 1978. In 1980, Ross was voted the team’s most valuable lineman and MVP, and was named a CIAU all-Canadian. His prowess was not limited to the field; in 1981, he received the Queen’s University Jenkins Award for best combining scholastic and athletic excellence.

Selected in the first round of the 1980 CFL draft by the Edmonton Eskimos, Ross played professionally for Edmonton, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa Rough Riders between 1981 and 1986. He was a Grey Cup finalist with Hamilton and a recipient of a CFL award as part of the most outstanding offensive line in 1983. Ross retired in his prime to pursue a successful career as a corporate lawyer in Toronto after earning his law degree from Osgoode Hall. He currently resides in Huntsville.Scott Dennis: Here are some of the items that belonged to 2026 Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame inductee Ross Francis during his football career in the CIAU and CFL.

Born in Oshawa, Ross Francis was a dominant force on the gridiron, beginning his journey at Eastdale Collegiate, where he played from 1971 to 1976. He was instrumental in Eastdale’s 1974 LOSSA football championship victory, earning recognition as the game’s most outstanding player.

Ross went on to a stellar collegiate career at Queen’s University, playing both offensive and defensive tackle. He captured Yates Cup conference titles in 1977 and 1978 and helped lead the Golden Gaels to the Vanier Cup national championship in 1978. In 1980, Ross was voted the team’s most valuable lineman and MVP, and was named a CIAU all-Canadian. His prowess was not limited to the field; in 1981, he received the Queen’s University Jenkins Award for best combining scholastic and athletic excellence.

Selected in the first round of the 1980 CFL draft by the Edmonton Eskimos, Ross played professionally for Edmonton, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa Rough Riders between 1981 and 1986. He was a Grey Cup finalist with Hamilton and a recipient of a CFL award as part of the most outstanding offensive line in 1983. Ross retired in his prime to pursue a successful career as a corporate lawyer in Toronto after earning his law degree from Osgoode Hall. He currently resides in Huntsville.

The Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony is coming up on June 3rd.

One of the inductees is Kim Haagmans-Hawk, who was a remarkably versatile multi-sport athlete who has represented Canada on the international stage in four distinct disciplines over four decades.

On display will be these jackets that she wore in cross-country mountain biking, achieving a world ranking of eighth. She captured national masters championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018 and held a world ranking of fourth in 2019.

We are going to have memorabilia on display at the Tribute Communities Centre honouring our inductees at the Hall of Fame celebration on June 3rd.

Does anyone remember these memorial cup hats from 1987?

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