Historic Niagara Digital Collections

Niagara Falls Thunder 2001-2002 Midget AAA

First Row: Francis Dugas, Rick Miller Middle Row: Jonathan Baglieri, Jonathan Pietrangelo, Justin Gigone, Stephen Lazich, Devin Sartor. Back Row: Tony Baglieri (Assistant Coach), David Doig, Mike Stewart, Adam Lukanchoff, Anthony Medico, Bruce Broughton, Adam Garrett, Doug McGowan, Adam Gennings, Josh Mack, Brandon Young, Ryan Gabel, Jarrod Shugg, John Pietrangelo (Head Coach), Tom Bernardi (Trainor). After a middling regular season which saw the Midget AAA team finish in 6th place in their division, the squad caught fire in the playoffs, winning two tightly contested 5-game series in deciding fifth games on the road against St. Catharines and Halton respectively which qualified the team for the OMHA championships in Peterborough. At the OMHA Championship tournament, the team worked their way to a 2-1-1 record, earning a spot in the gold medal matchup with the Quinte Red Devils, the only team to defeat them in the round robin. After scoring an early goal to start the game, the team rode hot goaltending and solid defensive play to hold off Quinte, preserve the shutout and capture gold with a 1-0 win. With that championship victory, the team progressed to the Air Canada Cup National Championship regional tournament, competing against other Ontario Hockey Federation league champions in Timmins, ON. The team competed to a 2-4 record, narrowly missing out on a berth in the bronze medal game.

1981 Under 13 Boys Ontario Cup Champion Soccer Team

First Row: Philip Parlatore, John Maiden, Dean Karachi, Paul Howie, Mustafa Sahin, Rocky Vacca, Mauro Ciampa. Second Row: Peter Mazzone, Robert Desson, Tom Bernardi, Steve Palmer, Wade Fabian, Frank Roperti, Bill Prestia, John Ventresca, Jack Villella. Back Row: Tony Ventresca, Trainer, Coach Antonio Pingue. In 1981, the Under 13 Boys soccer team, sponsored by the Niagara Falls Kiwanis Club, won the Ontario Cup Championship, a competition that included 77 of the top teams from across the province. As a small soccer centre in comparison to the other top tier teams in larger areas such as the GTA, this was an impressive accomplishment, making this the first time the City of Niagara Falls won this championship in this age group. Niagara Falls also won in the U8 age group on the same day and are on the Sports Wall of Fame. Niagara Falls also had two other teams in the final that day in the U10 and U16 who did not win. This was a testament to the player and coaching development by Niagara Falls Boys Soccer Club and their many dedicated volunteers. The team had a remarkable season, winning both the league and playoff championships and several invitational and international soccer tournaments which included competition from the US and other provinces. Unfortunately, the National Championship for this age group was cancelled in 1981, depriving this team from competing for a National Championship which would have included some of the teams from other provinces that it had already defeated in tournament play.

Gilliam, Poppy

Poppy Gilliam began her soccer journey at the age of six with the Niagara Falls Soccer League. She transitioned to the St. Catharines Jets premier soccer team at age sixteen, playing with them for two decades. She served as captain for 15 years, helping to guide her team to numerous Ontario championships. She proudly represented Team Ontario for two years as both defender and forward and was selected to train with the National Development program, competing with the top women across Canada. At A.N. Myer Secondary School, she excelled in soccer, basketball, volleyball and badminton, winning many Zone and SOSSA championships, advancing to OFSSA in both soccer and basketball. She captained numerous teams, served as Student Council and Athletic Council President and won the Excellence in Education award, earning her a spot in the school's Hall of Fame. Poppy attended Brown University, a Division 1 Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island from 1992-1996, where the soccer team was ranked 12th in the country her third year. She was named to the All-Ivy Team, was captain her senior year, and won the Ivy League Championships twice. She also excelled academically with a 4.0 average and was awarded the Brown University Leadership award. In 1997, she played her 5th year of eligibility for Brock University, where they advanced to the OUA championships, and she won the President's Award. Poppy has dedicated over 30 years to coaching both school and travel teams, ran the 'Just for Kicks' summer camp in Niagara Falls, and in 2022, co-led soccer for the Canada Games held in Niagara. Following her work with the Canada Games, Canada Soccer invited her to assist in running National Soccer Championships, further demonstrating her ongoing influence in the sport.

Topping, Tim

Tim Topping's lengthy career in coaching started with his young son's T-ball team over 40 years ago. Since then, Tim has coached baseball for teams in Niagara ranging from house league to university. Tim has coached 3 Ontario Baseball Association championship winning teams with the Greater Niagara Baseball Association (GNBA): a minor mosquito team that won the provincial title in 1996, a midget team that won in 2005, and a peewee team as assistant coach that won the title in 2014. Tim was also a pitching coach for the Brock University baseball team from 1995 until 1999, his teams winning back-to-back CIBA championships in 1998 and 1999. The GNBA teams that Tim coached have represented Niagara Falls across Ontario. He created the first Niagara Falls baseball team to compete in an American Legion Baseball League, which brought his team to New York, and several American teams to Niagara Falls. His team also played several times in the Freeport Invitational, a large international tournament in Freeport Pennsylvania, where they competed against teams from the US, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Japan. In the off months, Tim held baseball clinics and workshops for both players and coaches while attending clinics himself and improving his coaching levels for the NCCP. He became a member of the GNBA executive while coaching, and remained on the board for 25 years, including a 2-year term as president beginning in 2000. Later, he was privileged to be made a lifetime member of that organization. Tim also served on the NDBA board for over 15 years. Tim received a Niagara Falls Volunteer Recognition award in 1998, and in 2017 he was made a Paul Harris Fellow by the Niagara Falls Rotary Club for his outstanding contributions to his community. Tim continues to be active in baseball.

Gautier, Shelley

Shelley Gautier was a competitive mountain biker in 2001, when she crashed her bike on holiday in Vermont, crushing her helmet and sustaining a severe head injury. Following this, she spent 6 weeks in a coma, and then 8 months in a Toronto rehab learning to walk and talk again. As a result, the right side of her body is affected by hemiplegia (one-sided paralysis). This injury, however, was not the end of Shelley's athletic career. Following her recovery she began competing in disabled sailing, racing across Canada and the United States before switching over to para-cycling. In 2009, Shelley became the first T-1 rider in international para-cycling. She has won a total of nineteen medals in the Union Cycliste Internationale Para-Cycling Road World Championships time trial and road race events, with eighteen of them being gold. Shelley has also competed in multiple Parapan American Games, earning silver medals in 2011 and in 2015. She has also competed in three Paralympic Games: London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, and London 2020, earning a Bronze medal in the women's T-1 time trail in 2016. This made her the only T-1 female para-cyclist from any country in the world to medal at a Paralympic Games. In 2015, Shelley was inducted into the Inaugural Toronto Sports Hall of Honour and awarded the Sports Niagara Para-Athlete of the Year in para-cycling. She competed and was awarded a silver medal in the mixed time trial event at the 2015 Parapan American Games and founded the Shelley Gautier Para-Sport Foundation to allow access to para-sport for people with disabilities. Shelley's cycling career has been outstanding and she continues to complete at the world level and inspires others to do the same.

Grant, Joe

Donald Norman Joseph "Joe" Grant (January 23, 1957 - January 5, 2001) was an exceptional Canadian ice hockey defenceman whose career spanned junior, university, national, and international levels. Born in Sudbury and raised in Niagara Falls, Grant developed his passion for hockey alongside his three brothers, playing junior with the Buffalo Tondas, St. Catharines Black Hawks, and Kitchener Rangers before joining the University on Toronto in 1977. At U of T, Grant was a key member of the 1977-78 Varsity Blues OUAA championship team and earned first-team all-star honours in 1979. He represented Canada at the 1980 and 1984 Winter Olympics. His professional career included playing with Modo in Sweden and serving as a player-coach for Kokudo, where he helped expand the sport's presence in Japan. Returning to U of T in 1982-83, Grant captained the Blues to a first-place finish and OUAA silver medal. Internationally, he was named Best Defenceman at the Pravda Cup tournament in Leningrad. Beyond the rink, he participated in the inaugural Canadian Olympic Academy (COA) in Calgary, represented Canada at the International Olympic Academy in Greece, served as Secretary of Hockey Canada and was a member of the COA athlete selection committee in 1986-87. Grant was inducted in the U of T Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Joe Grant's life reflected excellence and mentorship- a legacy carried forward by the athletes and communities he inspired. He passed away in 2011 at age 53 after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Cruikshank, Martha

Martha Cruikshank (née Wiliams, Formerly Martin) has devoted her life to sport as an athlete, educator, coach, official, and builder, leaving a lasting impact across Niagara. Growing up in Niagara Falls, she excelled in multiple sports, eaming all-around champion honours at the Lions Aquatic Meet in the 1960's. In basketball, she starred for Maple Street School and Kitchener Street Church, winning a provincial title in 1967. At NFCVI, she received the Girls Athletic Award, Principal's Cup, and captured SOSSA titles in basketball, volleyball, badminton, gymnastics, and track and field. She continued her athletic career at the University of Toronto, competing in varsity basketball and volleyball and earning her Varsity Blue "T" designation. Returning home as an educator, Martha became the first woman Major Head of Physical Education in the Niagara South Board of Education at Stamford Collegiate, later teaching and coaching at both Stamford, Thorold Secondary, and A.N. Myer Secondary School. She led teams in basketball, volleyball, soccer, track, badminton, and golf and served as co-convenor for the 2008 OFSAA badminton Championships. In retirement, Martha has continued her involvement through golf - as a 15 time Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club champion, competing in the Ontario and Canadian Senior Golf Championships and is a certified Golf Ontario and Golf Canada referee, officiating at events including the 2022 Canada Games. Her leadership in organizing women's golf leagues and tournaments has fostered excellence and community across Niagara. Martha is also active as a volleyball referee in local elementary schools and for the Ontario Volleyball Association. Martha Cruikshank's lifelong dedication to sport as a trailblazer, mentor, and competitor- has inspired generations, building opportunities for athletes and strengthening the sporting spirit of Niagara Falls.

Rapanaro, Giancarlo

Giancarlo Rapanaro's football journey began in Niagara Falls at St. Paul Catholic High School and developed into an accomplished collegiate and professional career. From 2006 to 2010, he starred as a linebacker for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, eaming recognition as a two-time CIS All-Canadian and three-time OUA First Team All-Star. In 2010, Rapanaro was awarded the President's Trophy as the OUA's top stand-up defensive player. He concluded his university career with 130.5 tackles and 16.5 sacks, ranking second all-time in Golden Hawks history. His lasting impact on the program earned him selection to Wilfrid Laurier's Team of the Century. Following his university success, Rapanaro was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he participated in training camps and pre-season competition. He went on to extend his professional career internationally, playing in Italy, Finland, and Austria. In 2013, he proudly represented Italy on the international stage, demonstrating both leadership and elite-level performance. Beyond his playing career, Rapanaro has committed to the sport in his hometown, mentoring high school defensive backs and linebackers and sharing the knowledge gained through years of high-level competition. In 2015, his achievements were formally recognized with induction to the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks Hall of Fame. Today, Rapanaro serves his community as a firefighter in St. Catharines. The teamwork, discipline, and camaraderie that defined his football career continue to shape his life and legacy both on and off the field.

Elliott, Jeremy

Jeremy Elliott is a celebrated martial artist, athlete, and mentor whose career spans nearly four decades. Born and raised in Niagara Falls by his single mom Pat, he began martial arts in 1985 and quickly became a dominant competitor, earning a 7th-degree black belt and multiple National Blackbelt League (MBL) World Championships in black belt defense. He has competed internationally, which includes going up against Japanese catch wrestling champion Minoru Suzuki as well as the Super Grands World Games. Elliott's achievements earned him a place in the Sport Karate Museum in Texas alongside legends like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. Named an official "History General", he is one of only Two Canadians to receive this honour. He also received the NBL Diamond Achievement Award in 2006. Elliott also earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and has competed in Abu Dhabi Combat Club submission grappling events. Beyond martial arts, he is well known for his success in pro wrestling, appearing in matches in over 24 states & provinces and earning a spot among the Top 500 wrestlers by Pro Wrestling Insider in 2012 & 2013. In 1999, he founded United Family Martial Arts in Niagara Falls, where he trained generations of students to black belt status and world titles. His mentorship extends beyond sports - he supports youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and launched the "Embrace Our Journey" awareness campaign. Jeremy Elliott's career embodies excellence, mentorship, and inclusion, leaving a profound impact on both martial arts and the Niagara community.

Baldinelli, Jared

Jared Baldinelli's baseball journey began at the age five with the Greater Niagara Baseball Association and grew into a path that carried him from local fields to NCAA Division I play and recognition as an MLB prospect. A standout at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, Jared earned multiple All-Catholic First Team, All-Tonawanda First Team, and All-Western New York First Team selections. In 2012, he was named MVP of St. Joe's Baseball and helped secure the Georgetown Oup Championship. He repeated the feat in 2013, leading the Marauders to another Championship while setting the school's all-time hits record. That season, he led in batting average (444), stolen bases (14), and on-base percentage (565), earning a Gold Glove, and being named an All-WNY Player of the Year finalist. In 2023 Jared was inducted into the St. Joe's Hall of Fame. At. St. Bonaventure University, Jared played four seasons of Division | baseball and served as team captain his senior year. Baldinelli set career highs in 2017 in batting average (.306) and on-base percentage (416). Under his leadership, the Bonnies reached the playoffs for the first time in a decade. He also competed in the PGCBL summer league for the Utica Blue Sox where he set a franchise record in walks (66) while yielding a 309 career batting average. His performance earned him a selection to the 2017 Atlantic 10AII-Draft Team as an MLB prospect. Jared's career reflects exceptional talent, leadership, and dedication - rising from Niagara's community diamonds to success on the national collegiate stage.

Ladas, Carolyn (St. Angelo)

Carolyn (St. Angelo) Ladas is a lifelong Niagara Falls athlete who developed an early passion for sports. She began playing basketball in Grade 9 at Niagara Falls Collegiate and quickly stood out as a talented competitor. Continuing her athletic journey at Niagara College, she became a cornerstone of the Women's Basketball program. As team captain, Carolyn earned multiple accolades, including Female Athlete of the Year in both 1980-81 and 1981-82. She became Niagara College's All-Time Leading Scorer with 778 points, a record that stood for 27 years and consistently ranked among the top scorers in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA), finishing fourth in 1981 with an average of 16.7 points per game. Her achievements also included the Athlete of Distinction, Most Valuable Player, a school letter for varsity basketball, and inducted into the Niagara College Knights Hall of Fame. A multi-sport athlete, Carolyn also excelled in floor hockey, winning an intramural title at Niagara College, and was a standout in fastball, playing for the St. Catharines Darts and Niagara Falls Reg's Candy Kitchen teams. Renowned as both pitcher and batter, she earned MVP honours and led her teams to numerous tournament victories. Her passion for sport extended into coaching, guiding the Deb-San Homes travel midget ladies fastball team to the 1981. Midget Championship and running pitching clinics for young athletes across Niagara. Carolyn Ladas's athleticism, leadership, and dedication have left a lasting legacy, inspiring generations of Niagara athletes to pursue excellence in sport and community.

Cross, Jeremy

Jeremy Cross's lifelong passion for sport has taken him from a standout athlete in Niagara Falls to a nationally recognized leader in the Canadian amateur sport system. A graduate of A.N. Myer Secondary School, Jeremy excelled in multiple sports, earning Male Athlete of the Year honours several times and setting the foundation for a career devoted to athletics, leadership, and mentorship. Since 2018, he has served as Executive Director of the Coaches Association of Ontario, advancing coach education and development province wide. Previously, as Team Manager for Canada's Basketball Senior Men's National Team, he contributed to the program's success and professionalism on the international stage. At the grassroots level, Jeremy has made an equally profound impact. Beginning in 2007 with the Toronto Lords Basketball program, he has guided teams to multiple Ontario Cup championships while creating opportunities for youth from under represented communities. His coaching emphasizes not only athletic performance but also mentorship, empowerment, and personal growth - positively influencing hundreds of young athletes. Jeremy's career exemplifies both excellence and service, bridging the gap between elite and community sport. Through his leadership, integrity, and commitment to developing others, he has strengthened the foundation of coaching in Ontario and left a lasting legacy on Canadian sport.

Kovac, Sara

Sara Kovac has been a stand out athlete from a young age, excelling in volleyball and track and field. A top Ontario competitor, she won OFSAA with her Eden High School volleyball team, placed third in the provincial club championship, and eamed two OFSAA medals in triple jump, setting regional and Southern Ontario records while continually surpassing her personal bests. Kovac earned a full Division I scholarship to Loyola Marymount University in California, where she achieved national success, helping her indoor volleyball team reach the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and winning a West Coast Championship in beach volleyball. After graduation, she competed professionally in Europe, playing in Slovenia and Germany's Bundesliga, and represented Canada at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Her journey has also been defined by remarkable resilience. In April 2022, at the height of her career, Kovac suffered a severe brain injury caused by a cavernous malformation. After weeks in the ICU with a tracheotomy and feeding tube, she faced an intense rehabilitation at Hotel Dieu Shaver, relearning to walk and regaining her independence through determination and grit. Kovac went on to channel her passion and experience into coaching with the Niagara Rapids Volleyball Club, mentoring young athletes to reach their goals. Her story is one of excellence, courage, and perseverance, a powerful example of overcoming adversity and inspiring others to approach sport and life with the same strength and heart that define her remarkable journey.

Benson, Bob

Bob Benson devoted his time, energy, and leadership to growing soccer in Niagara Falls for over 40 years. From 1975 to 2018, his vision and tireless volunteerism transformed opportunities for young athletes, especially girls, laying the foundation for the sport's lasting success in the city. After moving to Niagara Falls in 1976, Bob began coaching and joined the Niagara Falls Soccer Club executive. With two daughters in the game, he became a driving force behind the Niagara Falls Girls Soccer Club, serving on its board for over 20 years as Vice-President, President, and Past President. He expanded house league programs, strengthened the competitive stream, and introduced the club's first technical director position. Bob also helped develop the Kalar Road Sports Park, Niagara's first dedicated soccer facility, which remains central to the sport today. As a coach, Bob led multiple teams to success at Ontario's Top competitive levels, including the Ontario Youth Soccer League. In 2001, he guided one of the first Niagara Falls girls' teams to reach an Ontario Cup final, and his squads earned numerous league and tournament titles. Committed to local development, he fielded exclusively Niagara Falls players - many of whom went on to compete in the NCAA, OUA, Team Ontario, and Team Canada. Beyond club soccer, Bob coached with the Niagara District program for over 15 years, helping identify and mentor elite athletes. Honoured with the national 3M Community Coach Award in 2001, his true legacy lives on in the generations of players whose skills, character, and confiden ce he helped shape.

Clancy's Restaurant and Bar Sponsor Award at the 2011 Sports Wall of Fame Ceremony

located at 5233 Stanley Avenue Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada