Windsor/Essex Sports Hall of Fame Unveils 2026 Induction Class with Star-Studded Lineup
The Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame has officially announced its eight-member induction Class of 2026, featuring a distinguished group of athletes and builders who have left an indelible mark on the regional sports landscape. The class, revealed on Wednesday, includes three former Olympians, a six-time Paralympian, a former CFL receiver, and three dedicated builders, showcasing the depth of sporting talent from the area.
Athletes Division: Olympic and Paralympic Excellence
In the athletes' division, the hall of fame welcomes two-time Olympian Brandon McBride, who competed for Canada in the 800 metres at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and the 2021 Tokyo Games. A product of Herman High School, McBride was a two-time NCAA champion at Mississippi State University and formerly held the Canadian record in the 800 metres.
Joining him is David Tremblay Jr., a freestyle wrestler from L'Essor High School who represented Canada at the 2012 London Olympics. Tremblay Jr. was a five-time university champion at Concordia University and won gold in the men's 55kg category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Amanda Reason, a Sandwich High School graduate, completes the Olympic trio. She set a world record in the women's 50-metre breaststroke in 2009 with a time of 30.23 seconds, becoming the first Canadian in nearly two decades to achieve this feat. Reason went on to compete for Canada at the 2012 London Olympics after attending the University of Calgary.
The class also includes Mike Whitehead, a six-time Paralympian in wheelchair rugby. After a car accident in 1999 left him with a spinal cord injury, Whitehead was introduced to the sport by David Willsie and quickly became a fixture on the Canadian team. His career spans six Paralympic Games, six World Championships, and three Parapan Am Games.
CFL Standout and Builder Contributions
Kamau Peterson, another Sandwich High School product, rounds out the athletes' division. Peterson played receiver at the University of New Hampshire before being selected sixth overall by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2001 CFL Draft. He won the Grey Cup in his rookie season and enjoyed an 11-year career with multiple teams, including the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Edmonton Eskimos, and British Columbia Lions. In 2008, he earned the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award after recording 101 receptions for 1,317 yards with Edmonton.
In the builders' category, the hall of fame honors Egidio Novelletto, David Tremblay Sr., and Ross Spettigue. Novelletto, who immigrated to Canada from Italy in 1959, was the founding member of the Italian Canadian HandiCAPABLE Association, dedicated to providing opportunities for children with intellectual and developmental exceptionalities. He passed away in 2022 but left a lasting legacy, including the Novelletto Rosati Complex at Mc Mac Park for the ICHA.
David Tremblay Sr. is recognized as a nationally acclaimed wrestling coach who spent over 25 years transforming L'Essor High School into a provincial powerhouse in the sport. His dedication has nurtured countless athletes and elevated wrestling in the region.
This induction class celebrates not only athletic achievements but also the community impact of its members, highlighting Windsor/Essex County's rich sports heritage and the individuals who have shaped it through perseverance, skill, and service.
