A tribute to Marvin Ellison
This page is dedicated to Marvin and his family. We're thinking of you...
Marvin Ellison is one of the best horseshoe pitchers Canada ever had. He participated 26 times at the Canadian Championships from 1976 to 2004, touching 4 decades. Tied with Elmer Hohl who also participated 26 times, only 3 men have played more times at the Nationals: Jack Adams, Larry Markle and Dean McLaughlin.
He's a member of "Saskatchewan's Big Three" made of Howard Weitzel, Colin Finnie and Marvin. From 1974 to date, the Saskatchewan Provincials was won by either one of those 3 except 3 times: 1978 by Fred Sorenson, 1980 and 1985 by Al Ross. Marvin has been 6 times Saskatchewan champion: 1979-82-83-87-89-92. Howard (with 4) and Colin (6) combined for 10 Canadian Men's titles, starting with Howard's win in 1990.
But Marvin Ellison is one of the best 4 players not to win the title (along with Fernand Thibeault, Eric Beaudoin and Robert Riehl). He was runner-up in 1991, 1992 and 1994 and lost in the semi-finals in 1989 and 1990. His high overall average at the Nationals was 72.3% in 1989.
Marvin is the husband of the late Sharon Ellison who was Horseshoe Canada President from 1991 to 1993. They both played horseshoes starting in the early 1970s. Their kids also played in the Juniors and Charolette is still active, serving until recently as Horseshoe Saskatchewan's main contact. Sharon was inducted into Horseshoe Saskatchewan's Hall of Fame in 1985 and Horseshoe Canada Hall of Fame in 1995
(See Sharon Ellison's profile).
Marvin Ellison, also a very good sports, is no doubt worthy of being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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Marvin (left) in action against Casey Vanderlinden at the 1983 Canadians where he came 4th, averaging over 70% in the finals.
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Taken in 1994 at Victoria when Colin Finnie won his first Canadian title beating his uncle Marvin Ellison in the finals. They are pictured with their wifes and Charolette in the middle.
Marvin Ellison at the Canadian Championships
Year Div. Clas Pos. W L R. S.P. R% H.G.
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1976 Men's B 6 3 4 44.6
1977 Men's A 5 4 5 57.5
1978 Men's A 7 1 6 63.7
1979 Men's A 4 3 4 60.4
1980 Men's G 1 7 0 55.4
1981 Men's A 12 4 3 299 486 60.6 68.2
1982 Men's A 12 3 4 59.4
1983 Men's A 4 7 4 69.2
1984 Men's A 22 1 10 151 334 45.21
1985 Men's A 7 8 7 485 794 61.08 78.1
1986 Men's A 6 9 6 64.3
1987 Men's A 8 7 8 502 798 62.91 69.1
1988 Men's A 7 8 7 537 824 65.17
1989 Men's A 3 11 4 535 740 72.30 90.0
1990 Men's A 3 11 5 545 812 67.12 86.1
1991 Men's A 2 14 5 654 994 65.79 88.1
1992 Men's A 2 15 4 646 992 65.12 79.4
1993 Men's A 13 3 11 455 750 60.67 75.0
1994 Men's A 2 14 5 609 948 64.24 77.8
1995 Men's A 11 5 10 375 698 53.72 84.6
1996 Men's A 6 9 5 406 692 58.67 75.0
1997 Men's A 7 8 7 496 778 63.75 73.1
1998 Men's A 14 4 12 335 704 47.59 68.5
2000 Men's A 3 9 4 369 646 57.12 75.0
2001 did not enter
2002 Men's A 6 9 6 461 780 59.10 68.0
2003 did not enter
2004 Men's A 7 8 10 461 848 54.36 80.0
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Totals Men's A 26 part. 175 152 8321 13618 61.10 90.0
Marvin Ellison at the World Tournament
Year Div. Clas Pos. W L R. S.P. R% H.G.
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1981 Men's 3 7 1 5 192 300 64.00
Men's C-2 2 3 2 159 250 63.60
1989 Men's 9 7 2,5 6,5 203 360 56.39
Men's B 1 8 1 230 360 63.89
Men's B-1 1 10,5 0,5 264 440 60.00
1991 Men's 7 2 6 1 222 350 63.43
Men's A-2 2 7 4 298 440 67.73
1992 Men's 1 4 3 4 233 350 66.57
Men's A-3 2 8 3 299 440 67.95
Men's A-fin. 3 4,5 2,5 177 280 63.21
1993 Men's 6 3 3 4 209 350 59.71
Men's A-5 3 3 2 124 200 62.00
Men's A-fin. 4 3,5 3,5 162 280 57.86
1994 Men's 1 15 4 11 347 600 57.83 77.5
1995 Men's B-2 14 5 10 325 600 54.17
1996 Men's B-1 1 12 3 380 600 63.33
1997 Men's B-2 1 13 2 382 600 63.67
1998 Men's B-1 15 1 14 248 600 41.33
2000 Men's B-1 1 14 1 357 600 59.50
2001 Men's B-1 2 10,5 4,5 359 600 59.83
2002 Men's B 6 8 7 371 600 61.83
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Totals 13 participations 130,5 91,5 5541 9200 60.23
4 years he won 1st place in his group!