BC AMATEUR BOXING HALL

BRITISH COLUMBIA AMATEUR BOXING HALL OF FAME

From Idea To Reality, A 25 year journey: by brian zelley

The idea of a BC Amateur

boxing hall of fame was

raised by me in one of 

the "Boxing News"

articles that I wrote 

in the "Boxing Annual"

that was released in

September 1984 in 

time for distribution

at the AGM of the 

BCABA,

it appeared on page 8

of the 16 page annual

that was filled with all

the highlights of 

1983/1984 boxing 

season along with

some "Flashback" 

stories such as the Golden Gloves from 1939 to 1950

It also inlcuded a series of photos on page 7 with the 

caption "Annual Round-up".  It had the title:
"Wishes, Hopes & Dreams. 

Wishes, Hopes and Dreams (September 1984)

(from the "BC Amateur Boxing Annual of 1984" by brian zelley

"There are many past and present members ...who are worthy of

permanent recognition for their outstanding contribution to the

sport of amateur boxing.  Although there are a number of annual 

awards that are given to our members, your editor would like to

see the establishment of something of a permanent nature.

Therefore we should establish a 

BRITISH COLUMBIA AMATEUR BOXING HALL OF FAME."

The years rolled by and another new decade came and went

but still no hall of fame, but a 2009 induction of former coach

Mike Caird into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame, and

my sponsorship of Caird triggered a review of old scrapbooks

and newsletters from the past and by chance I noticed that

old article that appeared 25 years earlier.  So, steps were 

taken to revive the "Wishes, Hopes & Dreams" and make an

effort to recognize so many from the past action and happenings.

Beyond The Revival of a Dream, three years later:

*over the last three years, numerous individuals, clubs and

events have now been recognized and  more will  be remembered
and recognized in 2013:

Beyond 2012:

The process of nominating boxers and builders for 2013 has

already begun with the first nominee for 2013 being 

Mickey Griffin and quickly followed by Ed Williams, Vic Murdoch, 

Dick St. Louis, Derrick Hoyt, Sidney McKnight, Stan Smith,

Boyd Bayne, Ron Whalley, Teresa Taylor, George Nepper, 

Jim Howie, Gary Wood, Jack Snaith,  Gordie Lawson,

Ralph Galloway, Jim Gallagher, Cranbrook Eagles, and others.

boxing club and various others.

 

YEAR FIVE 2014
As we get ready for year five of the 
annual selection of worthy names
to the BC Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame
we can look at all the achievements and
participation of all the nominees from
the pioneer like Billy Finlay to junior/youth
boxers like Jamey Ballard and all of the 
other boxers and builders.  We can also
remember the late Jeff Yule who has 
already been picked due to an advanced
selection.  

We have a solid group of builders such
as Bert Wilkinson, Bob Pegues, Boyd Bayne,
Harry Twist, Leif Albrechtsen, Howard Curling
amd Pat West.  But, also some top boxers
such as Jimmy McMillan, Jack Meda, 
Billy Townsend, Dave Wylie, Geronimo Bie,
and Willie Curry, but there also the events
with a top prospect being the 
1994 Commonwealth Games Boxing, but
also the 1954 Empire Games.  

Year Six begins in September 2014
Three early bird nominations:

Alexander Scotty Jackson, builder, and
* Boxers Geronimo Bie and Ken MacDonald.