Six inductees selected for 2024 Sports Wall of Fame

The committee decided on the selection of six inductees for the Sports Wall of Fame’s first year, noting that moving forward, a maximum of three inductees per year will be selected.  

Below are brief summaries of the inductees, capturing the key highlights of their achievements, contributions, and the remarkable influence they have had on sports within the community. 

Athletes 

The late Riley Hern was chosen as an Athlete inductee. Hern secured four Stanley Cups with the Montreal Wanderers in 1907, 1908, 1909 and 1910. Additionally, Hern was part of the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) All-Star Team in 1902 and earned recognition as the International Hockey League (IHL) First-Team All-Star in 1905 and IHL Second-Team All-Star in 1906. 

Mark Bell was also selected as an Athlete inductee. Bell’s journey began with minor hockey in St. Marys. In 1996, Bell was drafted in the first round overall by the Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and went on to be drafted in the first round by the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1998. 

Dale Levy, selected Athlete inductee, played baseball in St. Marys for 20 years. Levy competed for Team Canada in the International Softball Federation Championships earning a bronze medal. He won three World Championships at the Men’s International Softball Championship (ISC) level with the Hill United Chiefs in 2013, 2014 and 2015. 

Builders 

Athlete, coach, and manager the late Ferris Stewart will be recognized in the Builder category. Stewart was a supporter of minor hockey and competitive teams in St. Marys for more than 30 years. 

Patrick Payton is being recognized in the Builder category for a decades-long career as a sportswriter and reporter in St. Marys and surrounding area. Payton has been the recipient of multiple sports journalism awards throughout his career. 

Team 

Finally, being recognized in the Teams category is the St. Marys Creamery Juniors (1988). The team was declared both the Canadian Junior Men’s Fastball Champions and the Ontario Junior Men’s Fastball Champions in 1988.

The Sports Wall of Fame is expected to be installed at the Pyramid Recreation Centre in the coming months and the successful inductees will be celebrated this fall.  

The next call for Sports Wall of Fame nominations will start in April 2025. An announcement will be made when nominations open through the local media, social media, and Town website (www.townofstmarys.com/sportswall).   

-30-