O'Connor, Dennis
item
- Player Name
- O'Connor, Dennis
- Type
- Builder
- Sport
- Curling
- Inducted
- 2009
- Era
- 1971 – 1990
- Description
-
Inducted January 18 2009
Dennis O’Connor was born in Kingston Ontario and began teaching at A.N. Myer Secondary School in 1971. He would go on to dedicate countless hours for the next 25 years of his life to the sports of curling and football ; Over this span of 25 years, Dennis was not only a highly successful high school curling coach but a promoter of junior curling in Niagara Falls. He was instrumental in reviving many competitions for both boys and girls in the community – both at school and at the Niagara Falls Curling Club. He convened both Zone and SOSSA championships for 15 years along with encouraging juniors to participate in club curling ; In 1983, Dennis was given the Labatt Curler of the Month Award by the Ontario Curling Association. He was nominated for that award by the school team which was now up to 100 curlers from 35. During the 1994-95 season, Dennis was given the OFSAA Leadership in School Sport Award. This award is presented annually to a teacher-coach who has made a significant contribution to the educational athletic program ; Dennis has coached curling teams to 13 SOSSA titles and 10 top five finishes at the Ontario Championship level including 4 Ontario Titles. Dennis is very proud of Todd Brandwood and Dean Gemmell as both have competed in The Brier representing Ontario and Quebec respectively. Shane McCready captured 2 Ontario Jr. Men’s Championships in 1993 and 1994 ; In the sport of football, over a 20 year span, Dennis was the offensive coordinator for the Myer Junior team. The team captured 14 Zone championships. (The highest level of competition in junior football) ; Dennis’ success extended into the senior ranks where he coached senior football from 1994 to 1997 and won 2 zone championships in ’95 and ’96 ; His many outstanding accomplishments have led to a well deserved induction to the Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame ; - Subject
-
Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame
Awards
Portraits - Biographical
Sports - Recreation - Leisure
