Four of the Island’s most distinguished sports figures – Paul Arsenault, Lorie Kane, Paul Nogler and the late Andrew Perry – were inducted into the P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame and Museum at Credit Union Place on Saturday evening.
“It means everything to be here at this ceremony,” said Kane. “This is where I started my career, and this is where I get support from.”
Kane began golfing at the age of five and ever since it’s been a part of her life. In 1993, she turned professional and is still to this day.
Her career has seen 99 top-10 finishes and four victories, gaining her just shy of $7 million in total earnings, according to the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour website.
Kane placed fourth in two U.S. Women’s Open championships, and sixth in the Women's British Open.
She was presented with the Order of Canada in 2006, and is the proprietor of the Lorie Kane Charity Golf Classic.
Mary Lynn Kane spoke highly of her sister at the inductions.
In front of a crowd of 200, she shared what it’s like being the sister of an international golf star.
She said it’s not easy being the sibling of a celebrity.
“It can have its challenges,” she laughed. “But I can have some fun with it, too.”
Marie Cameron accepted the award on behalf of her father, Perry.
“He worked so hard to put himself in this position,” said Cameron “He’s been gone for about 45 years now, but he accomplished so much in his life.”
Perry, who died in 1970, is remembered in Summerside as the man who brought harness racing to the forefront.
Also known as a builder, he purchased the Summerside Raceway in the early 1950s, and transformed it into a premier destination for racing.
Also smart with the dollar, it was Perry who bought Bay State Pat for $360 and trained the horse to become one of the best in North America. He later sold the same horse for $20,000.
Shaking hands with everyone that walked by, Arsenault seemed thrilled to be in attendance.
Many say Arsenault is one of the most intelligent hockey minds in the province. He began his career in the early 1960s as coach of UNB’s hockey program.
But his career blossomed when he moved to Montreal and began coaching at Sir George Williams University. Over an eight-year period he won five league championships and took home the title of Canadian college coach of the year.
Next for Arsenault was a stop at Loyola College, where he won two more championships.
“I don’t like to take all the credit for this, the players are a big reason for my success,” said Arsenault. “I coached away so none of the guys could be here, but I was thinking of them.”
He spoke about his players like they were his sons.
Arsenault told a story of when he had to suspend six seniors for drinking, and although the team started the season miserably it was a “good” lesson, he said.
Dr. Bobby Lund, a friend of Arsenault’s, spoke to the crowd about his pal.
“We had so many memories I don’t know where to begin,” said Lund. “We’ve known each other for years.”
Lund recalls a hockey trip overseas when the two were roommates.
“He’s a snorer, he didn’t stop all night.”
Lund said that wasn’t even the worst part.
“Back then we don’t each get our own bed, we had to sleep in the same bed,” he laughed.
Arsenault retired from college coaching in 1990 with 16 conference titles and four national silver medals.
His number of victories ranks as the second most of any coach in Canadian collegiate history.
Perhaps the most diversified athlete honoured was Nogler.
The multi-sport athlete from Nova Scotia moved to the Island to pursue a teaching career in 1972. During his playing days he was involved with volleyball, basketball, tennis, squash, badminton and track and field events.
“It’s an honour to have my name with some of the greatest sports heroes on P.E.I.,” said Nogler. “Not everyone gets into the Hall of Fame.”
During his four-year university stint in North Dakota, Nogler won seven championships with three different sports.
In 1974, he was named the first ever Sport P.E.I. male athlete of the year. He would go on to win the award another three times.
All of the honourees have one thing in common: practice.
Kane, who did just that, said Islanders are capable of accomplishing anything if they put their mind to it.
“We’ve got wonderful athletes here on P.E.I.,” added Kane. “While we might be 140 (thousand) small, we’re 140 (thousand) strong.”
