O.M. "Mike" Weichel Trophy Honour Award

W.O.A.A. HONOUR AWARD

  The O. M. "Mike" Weichel Trophy is an award presented annually by the W.O.A.A. Donated in 1953 by Mr. Mike Weichel of Elmira who was a well known sports enthusiast throughout the Western Ontario region. In presenting the trophy to the W.O.A.A., it was his desire to ensure that the people in this area be recognized and rewarded for their outstanding efforts in minor sports. He devoted endless hours to sports serving in many capacities, providing actual contributions and assistance.

  An excerpt from his final presentation speech in 1964 is as follows:   "In a youngsters' life their guidance of Christian training, education and recreational   well being is of paramount importance. A leader who guides and shapes today's   youth, paves the way for those who will be tomorrow's leaders and citizens."   Each year the Board of Directors of the W.O.A.A., on behalf of Mr. Weichel, selects a person or persons whom they consider to be worthy of its possession. Accordingly, each community is requested to submit the name or names of whom they judge to be worthy recipients.   The presentation of the trophy as directed by Mr. Weichel is announced at the W.O.A.A. Annual General Meeting, and presented by the Immediate Past President.

HONOUR AWARD RECIPIENTS 1954 - Mr. Murray Grant - Paisley 1955 - Mr. L. O. "Nip" Whetstone* - Goderich 1956 - Mr. C. F. "Cully" Rocher* - Listowel 1957 - Mr. Jim Inglis* - Atwood 1958 - Mr. Joseph Higgins - Mitchell 1959 - Mr. John Patterson - Seaforth 1960 - Mr. M. E. "Mait" Edgar - Clinton 1961 - Mr. Jack Vipond* - Mitchell 1962 - Mr. Howard Carroll - Goderich 1963 - Mrs. M. Greenwood - Durham 1964 - Mr. George McLean* - Harriston 1965 - Mr. Bud Bitton - Listowel 1966 - Mr. Milton Filsinger* - Mildmay 1967 - Mr. Walter Schaefer* - Durham 1968 - Mr. John Walsh - Arthur 1969 - Mr. George Ste. Marie* - Clifford 1970 - Mr. Elmer Courtney - Ripley 1971 - Mr. Gordon Cerson - Teeswater 1972 - Mr. Ted Baynton* - Mildmay 1973 - Mr. Eldon McLaughlin* - Palmerston 1974 - Mr. Joe Akkerhuis - Harriston 1975 - Mr. Norval "Nute" Catto - Kincardine 1976 - Mr. Alfred Lockridge* - Wingham 1977 - Mr. & Mrs. (George & Elaine) Wicke - Gadshill 1978 - Mrs. Liz Kueneman - Hanover 1979 - Mr. Jim Prior - Brussels 1980 - Mr. Larry Reay - Durham 1981 - Mr. Bob Tout - Kincardine 1982 - Mr. Elmer Best* - Harriston 1983 - Mr. Charles McArthur - Port Elgin 1984 - Mr. Dave Neilson* - Gorrie 1985 - No Recipient 1986 - Mr. Gord Hymers - Listowel 1987 - Mrs. Pat Palmer - Arthur 1988 - Mr. Bruce Williams* - Wallace 1989 - Mr. Randall Hamilton - Wroxeter 1990 - Mr. Clarke Pollock - Kincardine (Co-Winners) & Mr. Garnet Troyer - Mount Forest 1991 - Mr. Don Culp - Drayton 1992 - Mr. Harry Yost* - Milverton 1993 - Mr. Bob Colvin - Teeswater 1994 - Mr. Rick Vivian - Mitchell (Co-Winners) & Mr. Gord Reaburn - Durham 1995 - Mr. Reg Walls - Clifford 1996 - Mr. Wm. "Bill" Hunter - Lucknow 1997 - Mr. & Mrs. (Sade* & Wilda) Widmeyer - Fergus 1998 - Mr. Dale Steinhoff - Paisley 1999 - Mr. George King* - Teeswater 2000 - Mr. Charles Smith - Monkton 2001 - Mr. & Mrs. ( Bill & Betty ) DeHaan - New Hamburg 2002 - Mr. Al Harrison - Wingham 2003 - Mr. Dennis O'Malley* - Teeswater 2004 - No Recipient 2005 - Mr. Kim McKinnon - Zurich 2006 - Mr. Randy Fink - Milverton 2007 - Mr. Vince and Mrs Jane Mullin - Chepstow 2008 - Mr. William T.H. "Bill" Page - Mount Forest 2009 - Mr. Dwight Leslie - Teeswater 2010 - Mr. John Gross - Listowel 2011 - Mr. Larry Lyman - Shallow Lake *Deceased