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 McLachlan* - 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* -Rostock
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
2012 -
Mr. Jim Dentinger - Walkerton
2013 -
Mr. Doug Neil - Wingham
2014 -
Mr. & Mrs. (Don & Vonnie) Crawford - Keady
2015 -
Mr. Wayne Martin - Palmerston
2016 -
Mr. Dan Wilken - Ripley
2017 -
Mr. Steve Campbell - Clinton
2018 -
Mr. & Mrs. (Dave & Marg) Bradley - Pinkerton
2019 -
Mr. Randy Alton -Lucknow
2020 -
No Recipient -Covid-19
2021 -
Mr. Rick Fisk -Minto
2022 -
Mr. Rob Nixon - Durham
2023 -
No Recipient
2024 - Ms. Nancy Berwick - South Bruce
*Deceased