The Durham College (DC) Lords have hosted many athletes and coaches who excelled far beyond expectation proudly representing the college, and this year two great men are being recognized for their contributions. The Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) Hall of Fame is inducting Ron Winterink and Gord Williamson at the end of the month.

Winterink and Williamson had memorable careers with the Lords, and they will be receiving the highest honour one can receive in Ontario collegiate sports. Dedicated to the recognition of extraordinary contributions and accomplishments the seventh OCAA Hall of Fame ceremony will be held at the Oakville Convention Centre in Oakville, Ont. on Wednesday, April 29.

“I cannot think of a greater way to honour two outstanding individuals that contributed so much to the success of athletics at Durham College,” said athletic director Ken Babcock. “Any time an athlete or coach is recognized at the provincial level, it demonstrates what influence they had in their respective sport. We are all looking forward to celebrating two great careers on hall of fame night.”

A multi-sport athlete at DC, Winterink began with the Lords in 1979. Playing soccer and basketball, he quickly established himself in the OCAA by leading the men’s soccer team to the first of two east region championships and an OCAA bronze medal in 1979 to 1980. Over three years with the men’s soccer team, the Oshawa native scored 21 career goals in 19 conference games and played a part in the program winning its first ever OCAA men’s soccer gold medal. Once he was off the field and on the court he led the basketball team in scoring during his freshman season with 12.3 points per game. He averaged a double-double over his three-year collegiate career with 11.2 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game.

Coach Williamson joined the Lords in 1997 and turned the men’s volleyball team into a pinnacle program in collegiate volleyball. In 13 seasons, he led the Lords to eight OCAA championship appearances, six OCAA final four appearances, five OCAA medals, and one CCAA national championship appearance. With an overall record of 223-102 and a conference record of 128-52, Williamson leaves the Lords as the winningest coach in program history. As a medal contender every year, his teams have consistently been ranked nationally.

The long-time coach has also garnered the respect from his peers from around the country. In 1999-2000, he received the CCAA Coaching Excellence Award, becoming only the third Ontario coach to win the national award.

Winterink and Williamson will become the thirty-second and thirty-third DC members of the OCAA Hall of Fame. Prior to 2015, Durham has had 24 student-athletes, five coaches and two builders inducted into the Hall of Fame.

For more information on the origins and history of the OCAA Hall of Fame and to view honoured members’ biographies and photos, please visit the OCAA Hall of Fame website at www.ocaa.com/fame.