Six Nations Public library - Digital Archive

"Community mourns lacrosse legend, Gaylord Powless", 20010628, p. 2

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Continued from front page if all he did was sit in the penalty box. "That changed his style of playing," said Ross. "He wanted her to watch him play so he stayed out of the penalty box. He took a lot of abuse from players who wanted to take him off the floor," he said. Gaylord's style of play was certainly influenced by his father as well . Ross, inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1969, was the first coach that Gaylord had. His style of lacrosse was based on team playing and utilizing individual player skills to .make a team strong. Gaylord learned this philosophy well as his career accomplishments reflected, in such titles as "Most v_ aluable Player" and "Most Sportsmanlike Player." friend. Some began a friendship with him almost forty years ago that continued through the years, such as Jim Hidgs. "Gaylord and I played on teams with one another and against one another," he said. "His competitiveness made him stand out on the floor combined with his abilities made him a strong player," he added. Another former Green Gael, Don Stinson, from Huntsville remembered Gaylord as being 'really good with his stick and a leader by example.' Stinson was the only Oshawa Green Gael who was a t I I member of all seven Minto Cup championship teams from 1963-69. Neil Armstrong who played with the Green .Gaels from 1964-66 described Gaylord as 'a real big game player.' "The bigger the game, the bigger the moment, the better he played," he said. Yesterday, people whose Ii ves had crossed paths with Gaylord's came to pay their respects to a man who had touched them in some way. If what people say about you is any indication of Portrait by Hendrik Lenis dedicated to Powless family Armstrong talked about the dis belief he experienced at the first game that Gaylord played as a Green Gael in 1964. what kind of person you W{!re, Gaylord Powless was a fine human being. Some of his team mates from the Oshawa Green Gaels where he played from 1964-67 attended his funeral and remembered Gaylord as a player and a "The game was in Hastings and right off the bat, he broke his lacrosse stick. His dad went out to the car and got him another one, brand new," he said. Armstrong just couldn't get over Powless being able to play with a brand new stick that wasn't even Front: Ross Powless, Gaylene Powless & Wilma Powless accepting portrait of Gaylord at the Champion of Champions Pow wow _ broken in. Gaylord scored three goals and got fiye_ assists in that game using a brand new stick. Gaylord Powless also left his impressions on the lacrosse community of Six Nations as well. Six Nations' Arrows General Manager, Darryl Hill believes, "he set a good goal for all the young kids to strive for as well as setting the high standard for all lacrosse players on the reserve." "His passion for the game was unsurpassed," said Kim Smith, Arrows coach. In the media, Gaylord Powless had been described as, "the Marvellous Mohawk", "best all-round lacrosse star" and "the quintesse_ntial natural." To his community, he was a life-long friend, a team-mate, a coach, a neighbour, a cousin, a son, a brother, a dad, a grandpa, a husband. Six Nations mourns his loss. The talent, dedication and accomplishments of Gaylord Powless will continue to inspire the lacrosse players that continue to play the game. As the lacrosse history books are written and stories told to all children and their children, Gaylord Powless will be a name forever synonymous with lacrosse. In the words of relative, friend and Six Nations Councillor Alton VanEvery, "Gaylord Powless wa-s truly an all-star in every aspect of the word. He not only carried lacrosse teams on his shoulders but was also comfortable in carrying family, community and a sports nation on his shoulders. He was a model and an inspiration to all, especially to the Six Nations people. He will be sadly missed but will continue to inspire our youth for a long, long time." When we speak of lacrosse and the greatest players who ever played the game, we will speak the name, Gaylord Powless.

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