​#306 Sports Hall of Fame

The hall was initiated by Bob Lewis in the late 1990's. He saw a need to recognize builders, coaches and athletes that had contributed volunteer hours and energy to ensuring that Gray (and area) had active sporting communities. Over the years individuals and teams have been recognized for their achievements, whether locally, provincially, nationally or on the world stage.
#306 refers to the highway that links the communities of Estlin, Gray, Riceton and Bechard. This road follows the same path as the original Grand Trunk Railway and keeps our towns connected. Enjoy our sports heroes!

​Nomination Procedure

If you would like to submit a candidate from the Highway #306 area complete this Nomination Form. Provide as much information as possible and any photos you have.

Rose (Noll) Baker
​Fastball

​Professional Woman Softball Player, with the "Chicago Chicks" National Girls Softball League 1947. Rose posted a win percentage of 55.6% in the 18 games she pitched and maintained a respectable batting average.

 Garth Boesch
​Hockey

Played for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1946 - 1950 and was a member of the first NHL team to win three consecutive Stanley Cups from 1947-49. Inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame 2013.

Myrna (Dunbar) Bonsor 
Fastball

Was one of the initial recruits for the Estlin 306's which later joined the Regina Last Spike League. They won the league championships in 1977, 1979 and 1981 and played seven provincial class "D" playoffs.

Jesse Bratt
Curling, Hockey

​Played for the Knox Met Shamrocks and the Presbyterian Church Team and won six City of Regina championships. Competitively curled, winning events, including the Regina Men's Bonspiel Grand Aggregate - twice.

Ernie Dunning
Baseball, Curling, Hockey

​Recruited by Father Athol Murray at Notre Dame College Wilcox for hockey, but had to decline the offer to be close to the farm. He played many seasons with the Gray baseball team as both catcher and right fielder. He also developed a love for curling which he passed along to his daughters (Crystal Frisk and Cherry Williamson).

 Walter Dunning
​Builder

As a sport pioneer Walter hosted the inaugural Sports Day on Dunning land July 1912. By 1915 he had built an open air rink with straw bale walls. The next years wooden walls and rafters were added. In 1926 he helped build the curling and skating rink that was replaced in 1975. 

Estlin 306's
​Fastball

In 1972, over thirty players showed up at an 'interest' meeting. The recruiting was led by Leeta Gooding, Gary and Anita Ford. Following the early developmental years the team became a more competitive squad that advanced to seven provincial class 'D' championship competitions.

Ford Curling Team
​Curling

Fred and sons; Roy, John and Drexel  curled together for 16 years.  The rink traveled to many events and gained respect as one of the top teams in Southern Sask, collecting  trophies and winning several aggregates.  They played in the same era as the Campbells and the Richardsons. 

Anita Ford
​Curling/Coach

Coach of the Sandra Schmirler Team; three-time World Champion (1993/94/97) and 1998 Olympic Gold Medalists. Attained Level-3 Coaching Certificate and received the 3M Coaching Award in 1998. Anita is a member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame.​

Atina (Ford) Johnston
​Curling

Won gold as an alternate for the Sandra Schmirler rink at the 1998 Winter Olympics and the 1997 World Championship. Skipped Canadian Junior Women's Team to bronze at the 1991 World Junior Curling Championship in Glasgow. Recipient of the Marg Mitchell Sportsmanship Award that same year. 

 Cindy (Ford) Simmons
​Curling

Won the Pepsi Jr National Championship and received All-Star Lead in 1990. This team advanced to a bronze medal at the 1991 World Junior Curling Championship in Glasgow. Mixed Curling success with husband Patrick Simmons - won the 2004 Provincial Championship.

Gary Ford
​Curling, Football, Coach

Skipped a rink in four Briers (1968-71). Was also an experienced ice-maker and worked at elite-level events including Briers and Scott Tournament of Hearts. He was a major catalyst in the creation and success of the Gray Golden Blades Senior Hockey Team and the Estlin 306’s Women’s Fastball Team.  ​

Frei Curling Team
Curling​

With Norton Frei at skip, Ken Hendrickson at third, Ron Lewis at second and a variety of leads (Jesse Bratt, Drexel Ford, Floyd Henry, Don Lewis, Earl Lewis) the squad had a lot of success in the 1950's and 60's with trips to southern men's playdowns and winning the Regina Men's Bonspiel Grand Aggregate twice.

 Crystal (Dunning) Frisk
​Curling

Competed in 37 provincial championships, winning eight titles: Women’s Champion (1), Intermediate Champion (2), Senior Women’s Champion (5). Crystal is a Certified Level 2 Coach and was named to the Saskatchewan Curling Association Legends of Curling Honour Roll in 2008.

Bill Gillis
Baseball, Hockey

A three-day Brooklyn Dodgers tryout camp in Regina in 1947 was a career highlight. He played senior ball with the Gray Sox for many years and developed into a well respected coach.  He was active with the Rink Building Committee in 1975 and served on the Hamlet Board for 34 years.

Ken (KC) Gillis
Baseball Coach

Was devoted to baseball. He played and/or coached from 1920 to 1961!  Coaching alongside Wylie Lafoy and John Lafoy the team was built into a well-respected opponent!  Ken was active for the 1926 rink build and witnessed the tear down and reuse for the 1975 project.​

Morley Gooding
Builder, Community Leader, Fastball

Was an active member of the Estlin community his whole life. Morley was most interested in fastball and became an accomplished pitcher.  His involvement extended to coaching, managing, umpiring and was a great volunteer for the grounds.

 Dale Henry
Fastball

Coached the 306's Ladies Fastball team for 29 seasons (1979-2007). The team achieved 18 league titles and 22 provincial championships. The 306's attended 24 Western Canadian Softball Championships resulting in 8 gold, 7 silver, and 5 bronze medals.

Lindsay/Link "Smoky" Johnson
​Baseball

​Was a pitcher for the Riceton baseball team. He was best known for his fastball and seemed to be able to pitch forever. Link was often invited to pitch for many other teams in southern Saskatchewan.​ Served in World War II Royal Canadian Navy.

Bill (Kawuza) Cook
Baseball

​Was an all around athlete and attended Notre Dame College Wilcox where he excelled in both hockey and baseball. Bill went on to play hockey with the Regina Vic’s. Convinced he'd 'go further' if he had a simpler name, he changed it to Cook.​

Paul Kawuza
Baseball

Paul was a great pitcher and was recruited to play with Nick Metz’s team at Wilcox on several occasions. The pay was $25 per win while pitching. 
​​After serving in the Navy, Paul moved and settled in British Columbia.

 Pete Kawuza
Baseball

​Pete developed into an excellent catcher with a perfect tag throw to second base – he could hit the bag with his throw. Pitchers (like George Spry) knew to duck when a throw was coming to avoid getting hit. Pete was often recruited to play with other teams.

Lisa (Lewis) Kuski
​Curling

​Had an exceptional Junior career which began in 1994 with a trip to the Southern Juniors. The next year Lisa and her sister Kristy were the SK Provincial runners-up. In 1996, Lisa won the SK Junior title and attended the National Juniors in Edmonton.

Clarence 'Shoop' Lafoy 
Hunting and Fishing

​Was an excellent outdoorsman and is best remembered for his keen interest in fishing, hunting and trapping.  He was also involved with hockey and baseball and was an avid curler who traveled to bonspiels with his cousins and Ernie Dunning.

Wylie Lafoy
Baseball

​​​Was well known throughout southern Saskatchewan for his pitching skills. In the 1930’s he was recruited to play with Nick Metz’s senior baseball team in Wilcox and received $25 for each victory.  He enjoyed curling in the winter months.

Don Lewis
Curling, Ice Maker

Was involved in curling from a young age and had much success as a player before becoming interested in ‘ice making’. He became a sought-after technician and put in ice at 14 Briers and 18 world championship competitions and the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary.

 Kristy Lewis
Curling

Took her young team to Jr Provincials on three occasions. She has competed in seven senior provincials - in Sask and BC. She competed in the Scottie's Tournament of Hearts and Olympic Trials. Kristy was the recipient of the 1998 Marj Mitchell Sportsmanship Award. 

Pete Noll
Baseball Coach

​Coached baseball teams to four Canadian Junior National Championships and three Saskatchewan Summer Games titles. In total Pete's clubs won 14 Saskatchewan and one Western Canadian Championship. Inducted Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame 1993.​

Gerald O'Brien
Baseball Scorekeeper

His true passion was sports…. of any kind!  Throughout the years he participated in sports days announcing as well as keeping score. Gerald could recite the stats on the back of just about any hockey or baseball card. He would ALWAYS talk sports.​

 Mac Paton
Baseball

Joined the Gray Gophers when the Riceton team folded. At 6’4” Mac’s first base reach saved many a double play and his bat seemed particularly long and heavy (according to the bat boys at the time!).  A tag by Mac was ‘felt’ and timely home runs seemed to be his specialty. 

George Spry
​Baseball, Builder, Community Service

Had a 'fast' fastball. At 6’6” George’s hand and ball were in your face in a ‘hurry’. He was a long-time volunteer around Riceton - for sports activities, for the local fire department, for  cemetery upkeep or mowing the school yard.
​

Fred "Flury" Van de Kamp
Hockey, Coach, Horses

​Played hockey throughout his life - minor hockey, to an army team, to old-timers. Fred was known for his ice-skating abilities and became a respected hockey coach in the community. He also trained and showed draft horses, trotters and hackney ponies.​​

Harold Webster
Builder

​​Was involved in track and field in his early years and was often a member of relay teams that won races against other towns. Harold was instrumental in developing young ball players and encouraging interest in Estlin sports days. He also coached in the community. 

Induction
Ceremonies

2014 Inductees:
Cindy (Ford) Simmons
Atina (Ford) Johnston
Dale Henry
Lisa (Lewis) Kuski
Kristy Lewis
Gerald O'Brien
Hamlet of Gray has present day info.