"Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductions"

by Wray Maracle, Special to Turtle Island News

Lacrosse legends were inducted into the new Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in St. Catharines last Saturday evening. Receiving their plaques were (l-r) Bill Abrams, Robert K. Porter, Charlie L. Thomas, Toby Williams (Enos Williams son), Gary Smith and a Willie Logan family member. Missing from the photo were Richard (Boss) Squire, Andrew Les Martin (family member), and Hubert H. Martin (family members).

ST. CATHARINES - Nine Six Nations natives were officially inducted in the new Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Catharines last Saturday evening with over 450 inductees and guests present.

Bill LeFeuvre, chair of the Hall and Mr. Lastewka, MP for St. Catharines were in hand for the official ribbon cutting ceremony earlier that afternoon.

Canadian and Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Famer, Ross Powless said "I think it's a very good thing. It beings out a lot of what our neighbours did when they were younger and when they played lacrosse. They were forgotten people and it's really good to recognize them now with their families here. It should have happened a long time ago, but at least it's happened now."

Powless also commented on

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Herbert H. Martin and the stick that he use to play with. Ross said, "I used a Martin "Special" when I was a kid but there was no league for me to play in I was too young. That was the best lacrosse stick ever made as far as I was concerned."

Powless said,"Herb Martin had something about his netting. That once it was set, it wouldn't move. You wouldn't have to put throwing strings in it and you wouldn't have to tighten it. Logan's and William's compare with it, but the plastic sticks today don't come close."

In the players category:

Bill Abrams, played from 1946 to 55. Bill was the 1952 Michigan-Ontario Box Lacrosse League Scoring Champ. Abrams won three different champions during his playing days. One was as a member of the 1952 Detroit Motors League Champions and another was with the 1948-49 Rochester Iroquois. Abrams said, "It's one of the best things to ever happen to me. I'm really grateful."

Abrams most memorable game was defeating St. Catharines back in his glory days. Abrams also used a Herbert H. Martin "Special" when he played. "They were a good durable stick."

Willie Logan, a player from 1955 to 73, was a member of the Ohsweken Warriors team that won the 1964 CanAm League and Presidents Cup Championship that year. Today he makes Lacrosse that are called "Logan" Special.

Andrew Les Martin, (deceased) played from 1923 to 37. Martin was an elite player for his era. He helped his teams, the Buffalo Bowmans win the 1930 Canadian Indoor Lacrosse League Championships and the Atlantic City Americans win the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in 1932.

Robert K. Porter, played from 1940 to 51. Porter was an outstanding defensive player and a top scorer in his heyday. Robert was on Championship teams from 1946-48 with the Rochester Iroquois and the 1942 St. Regis teams. Robert currently lives in Florida.

Gary Smith, played from 1950 to 59. Gary was an all-round player and always seem to score the game winning and overtime goals when the teams needed a goal. Was a member of the 1950 Brantford Midget Mohawks All ­Ontario Championship and the 1955 Tuscarora Indians Senior "B" Ontario Champs.

Richard "Boss" Squire, played from 1972 to 85. "Lil Boss", as he was some times known as, was the OLA Sr. "B" Scoring Champ in 1973. He averaged more than two goals per game and finished with 158 points. Richard won the 1974 OLA Major Series Scoring title, averaging more than three goals a game and ended the year with 127 points. Currently holds the single season record for most assists (104) and points (158) in 1973 with Six Nations.

Charlie L. Thomas, played from 1949 to 74. Charlie played 26 years of organized lacrosse for Six Nations, Hamilton, St.Catharines, Lewiston, New York, and Niagara Falls. He was a member of the 1951-52 Six Nations All-Ontario Bantam Champions and later, a member of the 1967 and 68 Presidents Cup, Supertest Warriors Champions.

In the Builders category:

Herbert H. Martin, 1940 to 1970 (deceased). "The Martin Special" as it was called was recognized as perhaps the best lacrosse stick ever made by lacrosse player and coaches. He became known as the producer of one of the finest lacrosse sticks of its time. Helped introduce the new trend of in lacrosse sticks at that time from the traditional wide mouth sticks to a narrower streamlined style of stick. Herb's hickory made sticks were always in huge demand by players and lacrosse clubs from across North America.

Enos Williams, 1930 to 80 (deceased). Enos began crafting lacrosse sticks as a hobby. In 1946, Enos started a business in hand crafting of wooden lacrosse sticks. He became so successful at making bis lacrosse sticks that by the year 1965, he was able to provide for his family full time. He sticks are well known by the lacrosse players throughout North America. Enos endorses every stick he makes by stamping the date on it to see how long they last.

Congratulations to all of the Inductees from all of us at Turtle Island News for some long overdue recognition and your the Induction into the Ontario Hall of Fame is well deserved.

The Akwesasne Hall of Fame Inductees. (l-r): Bobby Sunday (Player), Peter Burns Sr. (Player: 1946-75), Wallace Roundpoint (Player: 1950-60), Bobby DeLormier (Player: 1956-74) and Ray Day (Player: 1950-95).

Six Nations Chief's (Director of Player Recruitment), Mac Mason stands beside the 15 foot wooden carving of an Aboriginal Lacrosse player at the entrance to the Hall of Fame exhibit.

The New Ontario Hall of Fame was declared officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The Six Nations Junior "A" Arrows president Jack Hill was at the opening ceremony of the New Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Catharines this past weekend. Here, Jack poses with the Ontario Jr. "A" Championship Trophy, a trophy he took the Arrows awards banquet later that evening.

Michael Burke, 8, of Caledon East was trying out the shooting gallery at the Hall of Fame. Michael played on the Brampton Excelsiors Tyke "B" Championship team this past summer.