Former Hamilton Tiger-Cat of the CFL, and member of the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame, Gord McColeman has died at age 71.
McColeman passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre on October 14.
He was born and raised in North Bay, before moving south to pursue his education. He worked as an educator for 32 years with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.
The 6'4" defensive tackle was a gifted athlete, excelling in baseball and football.
According to the Hall of Fame website, "McColeman was a fine football, basketball, fastball and baseball player but he made most of his sports headlines in football - starting in high school with the Algonquin Trojans in 1966.
"He played senior ball with the North Bay Tiger-Cats in the Northern Football Conference while still in high school - in 1969 winning the NFC Lineman of the Year Award. He then starred for three seasons with Waterloo Lutheran University Golden Hawks. As co-captain in 1972 he helped them to the OUA Championship, the Eastern Canada university title and the College Bowl final.
"Deciding to combine teaching and pro football, he joined the CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats and played with them in 1973 and 1974. On being traded to Calgary he retired as an active player to devote his time to teaching and coaching.
"In basketball, he played high school ball with the Trojans, OCAA ball with Canadore. He played the sport for a number of seasons in Brantford and also coached and directed the CYO Girls Program. In fastball, he played junior and GMFA ball - was named the Gateway League Most Sportsmanlike Player in 1968, achieving All-Star catcher status and playing on a league championship team. He also played Little League, Beaver League, and junior baseball."
Read Gord's obituary here.
