Builders

On April 16, 2011, the City of Stratford, Ontario honoured 7 Inaugural Inductees to the Stratford Sports Wall of Fame. In the Category of Builder of Sport is Denis 'Dinny' Flanagan.

On April 28, 2012, the City of Stratford, Ontario honoured 4 Inductees to the Stratford Sports Wall of Fame. In the Builder of Sport Category, was Jim Shackleton.

On April 20, 2013, the City of Stratford, Ontario honoured 5 Inductees to the Stratford Sports Wall of Fame. In the Category of Builder of Sport - Lee Littel was honoured for his dedication and passion to the Sport of Volleyball. 

From the Stratford Beacon Herald:

Glen 'Skin' Irwin was inducted posthumously as a builder.

Irwin was instrumental in the development of Stratford's minor hockey association in the 1950s.

He was the city's third Sportsperson of the Year winner in 1955, and his legacy is remembered on a trophy named in his honour for the Stratford's top male athlete.

"This city meant an awfully lot to my grandfather, and he would be extremely humbled being inducted into the wall of fame as a builder," Scott Duncan, Irwin's grandson, said at the ceremony.

Irwin grew up in Stratford and played hockey, baseball and lacrosse as a youth.

He coached several levels of hockey, including junior B, and was a fixture at the Allman Arena.

"He was instrumental in starting the (Stratford minor hockey) organization and keeping it together and making it the success it is now," Stratford native and former NHLer Nick Libbett said. "I think without people like Glen running the organization we wouldn't have an organization, and I think we should take our hat off to him."

In addition to his role with minor hockey, which included refereeing, Irwin was a scout for the Detroit Red Wings and helped raise money for sports organizations and lent his time to local special needs athletes.

Duncan called Irwin a "larger than life character" and said his grandfather, who passed away in 1971, would be impressed with the athletic success that has continued in the city.

"He was a sportsman to begin with, and he was a people person," Duncan said. "Sports was a major part of his life. Because he was involved with so many different people in different roles ... he knew a lot of people, and I think you have to be a people person to be in those roles. I think he fit that very well."

Beniah " Bunny" Fryer contributed heavily to the sport of women's softball in Stratford.

Bunny had a drive and passion for getting youth involved in softball, starting in the 1940's, forming the first Stratford and district junior league that would be the beginning of many PWSU championship seasons.

In 1947 he led the Rotanettes to a PWSU junior "A" title. Three years later he was joined by his sons Bob and Ralph. The Fryers had a major influence on the Kadettes winning four consecutive PWSU junior "A" championships starting in 1951.

When Beniah "Bunny" Fryer passed away in 1957, Stratford lost one of its most elite sports figures. But, his name and and contributions to the community at large will continue to be remembered.

On April 22, 2017, the City of Stratford, Ontario honoured five inductees to the Stratford Sports Wall of Fame.  In the Category of BUILDER, Ingrid Newbery was honoured for her dedication and passion to Special Olympics. 

 On April 28, 2018, the City of Stratford honoured three inductees into the Sports Wall of Fame.  In the Category of BUILDER, Basil J. Schooley was honoured for his dedication and passion for baseball.

On April 6, 2019, the City of Stratford honoured three inductees into the Sports Wall of Fame.  In the Category of BUILDER, Sharon Twamley was honoured for her dedication and passion for Minor Girls Softball.