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While Tillsonburg is known for its hockey, there’s a rich variety of athletes, coaches, and contributors in other sports that deserve recognition too.
Mar 09, 2026 • Last updated 21 hours ago •
The Tillsonburg Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes Judy, Karen, and Christine Liwanpo, Remy Donaldson, the 1985 Tillsonburg Legion Track and Field Club Cross Country Running Team, and Steve Garnham. Colin Campbell will also receive a lifetime achievement award. Photo by Town of Tillsonburg
While Tillsonburg is known for its hockey, there’s a rich variety of athletes, coaches, and contributors in other sports that deserve recognition too.
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The Class of 2026 being inducted into the Tillsonburg Sports Hall of Fame features tennis-playing sisters Judy, Karen, and Christine Liwanpo; multi-sport athlete Remy Donaldson; the 1985 Tillsonburg Legion Track & Field Club Cross Country Running Team; and long-time hockey volunteer Steve Garnham. The ceremonies will also include lifetime achievement recognition for NHL Hall of Famer Colin Campbell.
“It’s great to see that variety of sports are represented and to know that we have athletes competing at high levels across all different sports,” said Tillsonburg Councillor Chris Parker, chair of the town’s Recreation and Sports Advisory Committee who oversees the selection process for the hall.
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The Liwanpo Sisters: Judy, Karen, and Christine
The triplets helped Glendale High School secure five team championships in tennis during their time there. Together they earned 11 WOSSA gold medals. All three reached OFSAA finals in their senior years before moving on to compete at the NCAA Division I level with Grand Canyon University in Phoenix where they received multiple honors as well as competed in the Indian Ocean Island Games in 2003.
“They are all going in for their own individual accomplishments but also together as a group,” Parker noted. “I think it will mean more to them that they’re going in with their sisters than anything else.”
Remy Donaldson
A multi-sport star, Donaldson qualified for national-level swimming competitions while collecting over 100 ribbons and around 40 medals. In volleyball he helped lead Glendale to Oxford-Elgin Conference Championships during Grades 9 and 12 along with several conference final appearances. He was part of teams winning WOSSA AA silver medals during Grades 9 through Grade 12 before clinching the WOSSA AA Championship in Grade 13. In basketball his teams captured both Oxford and Oxford-Elgin championships while reaching multiple WOSSA AA finals and qualifying twice for OFSAA. At the University of Waterloo from1995 to1999 he won several tournament medals while ranking among OUA leaders in foul shooting as well as three-point percentage.
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Tillsonburg Legion Track & Field Club Cross Country Running Team
The team was led by coach Dave Mills and included Ron Becht, Claus Rinne, Rick Cornelissen , Adrian Shorter , Tim Wood , Steve Connor , and Mike King. They had an unforgettable season back in1985 when they won both Ontario Senior Men’s Cross Country team championship along with Canadian Senior Men’s Cross Country team championship.
Steve Garnham
Garnham started officiating hockey when he was just14 years old before joining the Tillsonburg Minor Hockey Board of Directors back in1998 becoming referee-in-chief (RIC) three years later. He significantly raised awareness about Southern Counties officials serving also as RIC for both Tillsonburg Minor Hockey as well Southern Counties Minor Hockey Association. As an OMHA supervisor he mentored many young referees giving them support guidance along with instruction. Garnham coordinated officiating duties at high school hockey games earning important assignments such OMHA AAA Peewee gold medal game (2004-05), AAA Peewee bronze medal game linesman (2006-07) plus OMHA AAA Midget division (2008-09).
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Parker emphasized how crucial it is to highlight hardworking volunteers supporting Tillsonburg athletes’ success. “I think it’s important to recognize major accomplishments among everyone involved within sports – not just athletes but builders too; those who often don’t get deserved acknowledgment” he added.”When they’re doing this work nobody expects recognition however I believe it presents us great chance celebrating our deep sporting culture found here within Till son burg.” Colin Cambbell Campbell’s impressive resume speaks volumes about his career path. The Class-of-2014 member experienced lengthy professional career playing for clubs like Pittsburgh Penguins , Colorado Rockies , Edmonton Oilers , Vancouver Canucks alongside Detroit Red Wings prior transitioning coaching role starting back1985. Campbell contributed winning Stanley Cup achieving assistant position New York Rangers during1994 further managing parts four seasons leading team head-coach capacity. Later switched roles which he’s maintained over25 years now working NHL’s Senior Executive Vice President Hockey Operations overseeing discipline officiating standards rule interpretation shaping modern-day hockey especially following04 -05 lockout period. New points system implemented board aimed simplifying this year-selection process overall. “It really considered nominees’ accomplishments across different types sport weighting those categories,” Parker explained.“It helps remove personal opinions judgments thereby easing entire procedure.”
The formal induction ceremony will take place on May21st at Till son burg Community Centre. To learn more about the Hall of Fame or read about past inductees visit www. till son burg. ca.
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Parker emphasized how crucial it is to highlight hardworking volunteers supporting Tillsonburg athletes’ success. “I think it’s important to recognize major accomplishments among everyone involved within sports – not just athletes but builders too; those who often don’t get deserved acknowledgment” he added.”When they’re doing this work nobody expects recognition however I believe it presents us great chance celebrating our deep sporting culture found here within Till son burg.” Colin Cambbell Campbell’s impressive resume speaks volumes about his career path. The Class-of-2014 member experienced lengthy professional career playing for clubs like Pittsburgh Penguins , Colorado Rockies , Edmonton Oilers , Vancouver Canucks alongside Detroit Red Wings prior transitioning coaching role starting back1985. Campbell contributed winning Stanley Cup achieving assistant position New York Rangers during1994 further managing parts four seasons leading team head-coach capacity. Later switched roles which he’s maintained over25 years now working NHL’s Senior Executive Vice President Hockey Operations overseeing discipline officiating standards rule interpretation shaping modern-day hockey especially following04 -05 lockout period. New points system implemented board aimed simplifying this year-selection process overall. “It really considered nominees’ accomplishments across different types sport weighting those categories,” Parker explained.“It helps remove personal opinions judgments thereby easing entire procedure.”
The formal induction ceremony will take place on May21st at Till son burg Community Centre. To learn more about the Hall of Fame or read about past inductees visit www. till son burg. ca.
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