The North Bay Sports Hall of Fame is proud to recognize Lisa Hotte as this year’s recipient of the George Martyn Award for her dedication to basketball over the past 15 years.
Lisa began her career in basketball as a player at École secondaire catholique Algonquin, and was instrumental in the school’s first NDA and NOSSA championships in 1991 and 1994, attending OFSAA for the first time in the school’s history. During her high school athletic career, she was a key player in volleyball winning NDA and NOSSA championships, badminton as NDA doubles champion in 1993, 1994 and 1995. Lisa competed in 5 OFSAA Track and Field championships in javelin finishing 4th in 1992.
In 2000, Lisa began coaching at the l’École Lorrain in Bonfield, providing extra-curricular activities in basketball, volleyball, track as well as any other sports which needed coaching.
In 2005, she began teaching at Algonquin and was immediately involved in the basketball program.
“As a student, I was a part of a basketball program at Algonquin that allowed growth through playing time," Hotte explains.
"I came from a small school (Bonfield) that didn’t have a basketball program but I made the high school team regardless of my skill level. Not only did I make the team but I played and was allowed to make mistakes, learning from them and developing a true passion for the game. The willingness to allow young girls to play, regardless of the end result became the program`s philosophy in 1992 through coach Lorie Tremblay’s basketball program. It was that year that I felt like I belonged and I wanted to make sure that some day I would give to others what Lorie gave me that year… a chance. This is where my coaching philosophy has come from."
She is also quick to mention Tremblay and Chantal Piché-Rota as coaches who provided a positive female influence helping pave the way for many young women that played basketball at Algonquin.
Hotte takes pride and is successful in the development of skill and work ethic but most importantly that of self-confidence, growth, and strength. Her players respect her ability and appreciate her philosophy which has translated into numerous appearances in NDA finals and most impressive, winning NDA championships in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 as well as NOSSA championships in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014. She has allowed girls to play, parents to see their girls play and has taught them to respect themselves, their teammates and opponents through sport.
Hotte has coached volleyball and is a track and field coach where she specializes in the throwing events. Dedicated to all her athletes and looking to see them all succeed and has had a hand in coaching gifted athletes such as 3-time OFSAA gold medalist in discus and shot put, Ryan Hunter and OFSAA gold medalist in Javelin Tabitha Tremblay.
Lisa is also an excellent softball player, having played rep ball as an adolescent and ladies league since she was 16. She credits Darlene Hotte, her softball coach and mother, as her first coach, the one who has made her a skilled player and taught her the importance of hard work, teamwork and dedication.
Algonquin’s basketball program`s success begins with dedicated coaches in its feeder schools and Hotte was able to reach many at that level due to her ability to be inclusive and accept kids whether they have previously played or not. Giving as many kids as possible a chance to play and belong on a team has always been her approach to coaching. For her dedication to basketball and all that she has done and is still doing to instill a passion for the game, she will receive the George Martyn award at the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame dinner, May 2nd at the Best Western.
Tickets for the event are available from any Executive Committee member, by calling Chair Bill Jacko at 705-476-1429, Michelle Cundari at 705-471-9771, or by emailing the Sports Awards email at [email protected]. Those interested in searching past inductees are invited to explore the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame website at http://www.northbaysportshalloffame.ca
