The Milton Sports Hall of Fame (MSHOF) has announced its 2025 class of inductees, honouring four remarkable individuals and one trailblazing team whose contributions to sport have left a lasting legacy in Milton and beyond.
“This year’s inductees reflect the diverse and wonderful ways in which individuals and teams have contributed to sport in our community,” says Uwe Samstag-Schnock, Chair and President of the Milton Sports Hall of Fame. “Through dedication, commitment, and service, they have each played a meaningful role in Milton’s sporting story. We are proud to recognize their efforts, accomplishments, and the positive influence they have had on athletes and sport programs both within our Town and beyond.”
Here are the 2025 inductees, with bios provided by Milton Sports Hall of Fame:
- Builder – Leonard “Len” Andrews (1920–2006)
Len Andrews’ impact on the sport of baseball in Milton and the surrounding area is monumental. A visionary leader, Len founded the Campbellville Merchants Intermediate and Senior Baseball Team in 1952. Despite representing a small village of only 300 people, Len built the Merchants into one of the most successful amateur baseball teams in Canada throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Under his leadership, the team amassed an impressive 411 wins, 122 losses, and 16 ties, along with 12 Ontario Baseball Association Championships and 11 consecutive first-place finishes in the Halton County League.
The Campbellville Merchants were inducted in the inaugural MSHOF class in 2016 in the Team category.
Len’s commitment went beyond just managing the team; he was an advocate for baseball at the local, provincial, and national levels. He served as the President of the Halton County League and the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA), where he also received an award from the Premier of Ontario for his tireless work in amateur sports. Len’s legacy includes his book “The Village Nine”, which highlights the achievements of the Campbellville Baseball Club. In 2023, he was inducted into the Baseball Ontario Hall of Fame. His influence in shaping the amateur baseball scene in Ontario remains an inspiration for current and future generations.
- Builder – Natalius “Joe” Auger
Joe Auger’s dedication to the sport of hockey and his unwavering commitment to the Milton community are unparalleled. Originally from Timmins, Ontario, Joe’s talent as a hockey player took him to the Dixie Beehives Jr. “A” team, a feeder club to the NHL’s Original Six teams. His playing career reached its zenith when he was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1957. Following his time in the International Hockey League in Louisville, Joe moved to Milton in 1965, where his influence on the local hockey scene would be transformative.
In Milton, Joe was instrumental in the growth of Milton Minor Hockey, serving as a coach, player, and mentor. He played a key role in the creation of division hockey in Milton, laying the foundation for future generations of players. He also served as a coach for several local teams, including the Milton Junior Merchants (1969-70), the Milton Continental Flyers Jr. “B” team (1974), and the Milton Tridents Intermediate B team (1976).
Joe’s involvement in hockey extended beyond the rink. In 1980, he founded Milton Welding Ltd., a business that became deeply intertwined with the local sports scene through sponsorship of minor hockey and softball teams. Additionally, Joe was a founding member of the Milton Oldstars Hockey Team, which continues to give back to the community through its annual fundraising tournaments for the Milton District Hospital. His tireless work both on and off the ice has made Joe a pillar of the Milton sports community.
- Builder – Craig Brush
Craig Brush’s contributions to hockey span multiple decades and countries. A gifted player from Milton, Craig earned a hockey scholarship to Cornell University, where he was a part of the Cornell Big Red team that won the NCAA Division I National Championship in 1970 with an undefeated record of 30-0. After college, Craig returned to Milton to play for the Oakville Oaks and later moved to Detroit, where he continued his playing career and became involved in coaching youth hockey.
Craig’s real legacy, however, lies in his work as a builder of hockey at the professional level. In 1998, Craig co-founded the Florida Everblades, an East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) team. Under his leadership as President and General Manager, the Everblades became a dominant force in the league, capturing the Kelly Cup four times (2012, 2022, 2023, and 2024) and making the playoffs in 22 of 23 seasons. With Craig at the helm, the Everblades’ success became a model for future hockey teams in the ECHL.
Craig’s dedication to hockey development is also evident in his role in creating youth programs and his partnership with Pete Karmanos to bring hockey to South Florida. In recognition of his contributions, Craig was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2016 and was named Man of the Year in Estero, Florida. A statue has even been erected in his honor. Craig’s profound impact on hockey will continue to inspire future generations of players and fans alike.
Craig’s father, the late Dave Brush, was inducted into the MSHOF as a hockey and baseball builder in 2018, making them the first father-son duo to be represented in the Hall.
- Athlete – Ron Armstrong
Ron Armstrong’s athletic achievements are as diverse as they are impressive. Born in Ingersoll, Ontario, Ron’s athletic career began early, competing in multiple sports including baseball, hockey, and swimming. He received a swimming scholarship to Kalamazo Valley Community College in Michigan, where he earned the All-American Athletic Award. Ron’s dedication to swimming, however, truly flourished when he moved to Toronto in 1976, where he joined the Etobicoke Masters Swim Club.
After relocating to Milton, Ron became a key figure in the Milton Masters Swim Club, helping to establish it in 1985. His swimming career includes several Canadian Masters records and multiple medals at World Masters Championships, including five medals and a Masters World Record in 2006 in Italy, where he became a Masters World Champion in the 400m freestyle. He also won four medals in California in 2013 at the World Masters Championships.
Ron’s dedication to the sport goes beyond competition. He has volunteered as a coach for the Milton Marlin Swim Club, where he mentored young swimmers. He also played for the Milton Oldstars hockey team and was heavily involved in organizing charity events. Ron’s incredible achievements in the pool and his contributions to local sports have earned him a place as a trailblazer in Masters swimming.
- Team – Monarch Girls Basketball (1991–1999)
The Monarch Girls Basketball Program made a significant mark on the local and provincial basketball scene, producing some of Milton’s most talented athletes. Starting in 1984, the program focused on skill development, and by the mid-1990s, it had established itself as one of the top programs in Ontario. The 1993-1995 era was particularly successful, with the Bantam (A) team winning gold at the Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) championships in 1994, following two years of podium finishes.
That same year, the Midget (AA) team also achieved gold at the ‘A’-level provincial championships, an incredible feat. This period of success not only brought accolades but also developed a unique camaraderie among players who began as rivals but came together under the banner of the Monarchs. Many of these athletes went on to play at the post-secondary level and continued their involvement in basketball long after their playing careers ended.
Martha Gleeson and Pat Gleeson were previously inducted into the MSHOF in 2020 as builders for their efforts to create the Monarch Basketball Program. The Monarch Girls Basketball Team is the first female team to be inducted into the Milton Sports Hall of Fame.
The 2025 Induction Ceremony and Wall Panel Unveiling will take place on Thursday, November 13th at 7:00 p.m. at the FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton. Tickets will go on sale in July.
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