MRA Wall of Fame

 Scott McAdam was born James Scott McAdam, in Niagara Falls, Ontario on October 31, 1957. He grew up with a great love and appreciation for sports but was particularly active in badminton, racquetball, tennis, and hockey. After high school, Scott spent a year at college before starting his career in management. Scott remained in management until in 1991 when he followed his passion of sport and recreation and enrolled in the Arctic College Recreation Leadership Program. As Scott's career in sport and recreation advanced, he and his family moved and lived throughout the North including: Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk, Repulse Bay, and Fort Simpson.

Scott's love for coaching and mentoring youth and young adults shone through the many afternoons, evenings, and weekends he volunteered in each community he lived in. Whether it was a team or individual sport, Scott was always committed to help the person or team reach their full potential.  Scott was particularly passionate about badminton and hockey, helping to set up programs and clubs in the communities in which he lived and worked. 

Scott had a very practical approach to life and his philosophy of life may be summed up into the following phrase: "Be accountable to oneself and put high value on your own actions". 

Scott was as very loving husband to Grace and father to Christina and Danielle. His love for sport and recreation and legacy of hard work, sportsmanship and mentorship lives on in his two daughters Christina and Danielle and also in his grandson and namesake Scott. 

  John and Anne Rowe had four children: Pat, Rick, Perry, and Connie.  The family spent time in Hay River before settling in Fort Simpson in 1971, when Connie was seven years old.  Growing up, Connie was influenced by her family’s work ethic, generosity, and love for sport.  She excelled in many sports and recognized at a young age that sport was an important force in her life, a force that she also instilled in her two children: Keri-Ann and Jessie.

Above all, Connie believed in community participation – whether she was the coach, tournament organizer, treasurer, banquet host, chauffeur, first aider, or janitor – Connie would always bring enthusiasm and a zest that was like no other.  She was an advocate for access to sport, especially when it came to the sport of hockey.  Connie was one of the few girls in the 1970’s who played hockey, and subsequently both her girls grew up in Fort Simpson playing hockey.  In the early 1990’s Keri-Ann and Jessie began playing indoor soccer, and thus, began the family’s passion for soccer.

Connie was always cheering (quite loudly) from wherever she was, and she cheered for not only her two girls but all the kids who were involved in a sport.  She remained a true community sport advocate throughout her entire life, and even towards the end, the most important thing for Connie was to know that her girls would continue to always have sport in their lives; which they have.

  Lawrie Hobart was born in Clyde, Alberta, and attended the University of Alberta. In 1981, he moved to Tuktoyaktuk and then to Fort Smith in 1982. Since moving to the NWT, Lawrie was the Principal of Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk, a classroom teacher, Coordinator of the Western Arctic Leadership Program, Vice-Principal and Principal of PWK High School, and Supervisor of Schools for the South Slave Divisional Education Council. His best times in education were when he was working with his students. 

Lawrie loved all sports and was an accomplished athlete, coach and sport organizer. His favourite sport was volleyball. In the mid-1990’s, he and other teachers at PWK created the PWK Invitational Volleyball Tournament to allow youth to have another volleyball competition experience. Following his passing, the tournament was renamed the Lawrie Hobart Memorial Volleyball Tournament in 2008. This tournament has grown to become one of the largest athletic events in the NWT. It promotes excellence in athletics but most importantly, good sportsmanship, something that was extremely important to Lawrie.. 

  Lawrie Hobart was born in Clyde, Alberta, and attended the University of Alberta. In 1981, he moved to Tuktoyaktuk and then to Fort Smith in 1982. Since moving to the NWT, Lawrie was the Principal of Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk, a classroom teacher, Coordinator of the Western Arctic Leadership Program, Vice-Principal and Principal of PWK High School, and Supervisor of Schools for the South Slave Divisional Education Council. His best times in education were when he was working with his students. 

Lawrie loved all sports and was an accomplished athlete, coach and sport organizer. His favourite sport was volleyball. In the mid-1990’s, he and other teachers at PWK created the PWK Invitational Volleyball Tournament to allow youth to have another volleyball competition experience. Following his passing, the tournament was renamed the Lawrie Hobart Memorial Volleyball Tournament in 2008. This tournament has grown to become one of the largest athletic events in the NWT. It promotes excellence in athletics but most importantly, good sportsmanship, something that was extremely important to Lawrie.. 

Paul Stipdonk was born in Holland in 1947, shortly after the end of World War 2. As a youngster, he greatly admired the soldiers sent by Canada and the United States to help rebuild Holland. Inspired by them, he obtained a labour job on a cargo ship and emigrated to Canada as a teenager. He learned English by reading the newspaper and attained his high school diploma through night classes, all while assembling boxes to support himself. He eventually gained degrees in Fine Arts and Education, specializing in Special Education. 

Newly married and embarking on his teaching career, Paul moved to Pelly Bay, NWT (now Kugaaruk, NU) in 1983. Noting the long, cold, and dark winters he decided to start an indoor soccer program as it required minimal equipment and was enjoyed by a wide variety of ages. After leaving Nunavut in 1987, the Stipdonk family moved to Fort Simpson where Paul taught Grades 3 and 4 for many years. Paul remained active in the soccer scene for the next 25 years in changing roles– from coach and player, to referee, organizer, and even bus driver for tournaments. 

Paul valued family, community wellness, fitness, adventure, and education in his life. He encouraged everyone to give their best in whatever talents they possessed, and to keep a positive outlook on life. Paul thought it was important for children to get involved in sports and to feel successful because the values in sport helps builds character that supports success in life.