April 11, 2007 Thomas Hawkins Horseshoe Canada Hall of Fame

Horseshoe Canada HALL OF FAME Members

THOMAS A. HAWKINS


2001 - Thomas A. HAWKINS, Victoria, B.C.

Tom Hawkins is the 2001 Horseshoe Canada Hall of Fame Inductee, in the Promoter/Organizer category. The following information on Tom Hawkins was compiled by his son Ken Hawkins. See also the text "About Tom Hawkins" prepared in June 1997 by his son Ken. Soon we will add an interview with Tom publshed in the 1997 B.C. Ringer Round-up.

Born at Belbutte Sask. on December 25, 1920. Tom began playing horseshoes at about age 15. He served in the armed services where he continued to play the game. After discharge in 1945, he became actively involved in baseball, bowling, curling and golf. Here are some of his accomplishments:

  1. Joined the Victoria Horseshoe Club in 1972. Served on various committees.
  2. Elected Vice-President in 1977.
  3. Elected President in 1978 and served in that capacity for three two-year terms. During this period the Victoria club hosted the BC Championships in 1978, 1980 and 1984. The club expanded from 12 to 28 courts and acquired a permanent clubhouse.
  4. In 1982 Tom was chairman of the hosting committee for the Canadian Championships held in Victoria.
  5. Past President 1984-86 during which time he chaired the committee to host the fiftieth anniversary tournament of the club in 1985. Also served in that capacity for the 55th tourney in 1990.
  6. Treasurer of the Committee to host the 1994 Canadian Championships in Victoria.
  7. In 1993 he was voted an Honorary Life Member of the Greater Victoria Horseshoe Pitching Association.
  8. He was elected treasurer of the Victoria club in 1996 and has continued to the present time.
  9. In 1984 was elected to the executive of the BC Horseshoe Association. Served as such for 10 years. During that time he instituted the BC Horseshoe Hall of Fame. He proposed the re-structuring of the BC H.A. executive body, from one, which had been dominated by the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, to a Regional structure with all areas of the Province, represented. In addition he proposed many changes and improvements to the BC Association.
  10. Was inducted into the BC Horseshoes Hall of Fame in 2000.
  11. He served as the Provincial voting delegate to the Canadian Hall of Fame committee since 1988.
  12. Today Tom is very active in the club league play and also manages to play in tournaments.

Tom was voted a life member of the Victoria & District Baseball Association in 1983 for his years of coaching and volunteer services for baseball. When Tom gets involved he gives his full efforts ands the results can be seen by his contributions. The Victoria Club has benefited by his participation and can boast of having one of the finest horseshoe pitching facilities in Canada as well as one of the largest in memberships. Tom Hawkins was inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame in November 2001.

See also the BCHA page on Tom Hawkins
(as Tom was inducted into the BCHA Hall of Fame in 2000).





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