Ravensdale_Panel_Final Design & layout by Quench Design & Communications Inc. | Port Hope | www.quenchme.ca Arthur Ravensdale Olympic Athletes 1911-1975 Arthur Ravensdale was one of Cobourg's top athletes, with special talent in the track and field event, hurdles. While attending high school in Cobourg, Ravensdale set a record at the Dominion Interscholastic Championships in the 120 yard hurdle event. He was coached by T.H. McClelland , and the two would later mentor another Cobourg hurdler, Larry O'Connor. Arthur's career was almost tragically derailed when he broke his hip while playing rugby, but with determination and hard work, he recovered completely and continued a successful hurdling career. Ravensdale's success earned him a place at the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario in 1930 but he was unfortunately disqualified in the heats. Undeterred, he won the sprint event at the Canadian National Championships. While Arthur Ravensdale was making a name for himself as a hurdler, his father, also Arthur, was experiencing some success of his own - see Curling After high school, Ravensdale continued his athletic career while attending Marquette University in Milwaukee. In 1932, he earned a place on the team representing Canada at the Olympic Games held in Los Angeles, but was eliminated in the first round. He appeared again at the British Empire Games in London, England in 1934. This time his hard work and determination paid o�! He placed 4th in the 120 yard hurdles! Ravensdale disappeared from competition after the London Games in 1934, but returned to his former high school in Cobourg to coach new track and tield talent. As well as his athletic pursuits, Ravensdale played clarinet with the Cobourg Kilties as shown in this 1928 photograph of the band. Because of his academic and athletic success at Cobourg High School, the Ravensdale Trophy was presented to the top all-round boy each year until 1960 when the Trophy was retired in favour of the Optimus Award. He was further honoured by the Town of Cobourg by having a road named after him in Cobourg's west end. Arthur Ravensdale passed away on November 15th, 1975 and is buried at the Union Cemetery in Cobourg. Arthur Ravensdale in the Cobourg Kiltie Band - 1928 Picture courtesy of Cobourg Public Library "Ravensdale, a hurdler... set up municipal records that will probably stand for years" Milwaukee Journal December 27, 1931