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The Northern Football Conference, Canada’s oldest senior men’s amateur football league, will see it’s Hall of Fame grow with 6 new members this coming Saturday in Sudbury. 3 players and 3 builders will bring the Hall’s ranks to 69 players and 23 builders respectively at half-time of the Oakville Longhorns-Sudbury Spartans game slated for Queen’s Athletic Field. Kick-off time is 7:00 p.m. Below, you will find biographies of this years inductees PLAYERS Rick Milne - Stoney Creek Patriots, Hamilton Wildcats, Oakville Longhorns Milne started off with the Wildcats where he earned 2 all-star nods at defensive tackle in 1982 and 1984. When the Wildcats folded, Rick moved to the other side of the ball with the Oakville Longhorns where he anchored the ‘Horns offensive line at centre. He was recognized as the Lineman of the Year in 1986 and as the All-Star Centre from 1985 to 1989 and from 1993 to 1995. Rick was a member of 10 Longhorn N.F.C. title teams and was on the ‘Horns roster for their first Canadian title in 2001. Stu Waite - Sault Ste. Marie Steelers, Sault Ste. Marie Storm Waite is one of the few players to have earned All-Stars kudos at least 10 years apart. Early in his career he earned All-Star nods at Defensive Tackle in 1986 and 1987 as well as being named Lineman and Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 with the Steelers. When the Storm entered the N.F.C. in 1996, Stu was again recognized as a Defensive Line All-Star in 1996 and 1997. Dave St. Amour - Sudbury Spartans Dave had a stellar 15-year career with the Navy, White and Silver. When he hung up his cleats in 2001, he did so with 10 N.F.C Career marks, 7 Sudbury Spartan Game Records and a League high 18 All-Star honours as well. Among his League Career records are most points, 502; career touchdowns, 80 and all purpose yards, 12,672. He was the League’s leading scorer in 1987 and 1999; Offensive Player of the Year in 1990 and 2000 and League Most Valuable Player in 1999 and 2000. He was also a member of 3 championship squads in 1987, 1991 and 1992. BUILDERS Dennis Griffin - Stoney Creek Patriots, Hamilton Wildcats, Oakville Longhorns Dennis has had a long and storied football career in Ontario. He was the Coach of the Stoney Creek Patriots when they entered the N.F.C. in 1978 where he led the Patriots to titles in 1978 and 1979 as well as a finals appearance in 1980. Griffin was honoured as the Coach of the Year in 1978. He has been an assistant coach with Oakville in 1985, 2002 and this season. In the Hamilton area, he has been the Head Coach of the Hamilton Hurricanes Junior unit for 4 seasons and a high school head coach for 26 seasons and has had his teams win 5 city titles and reach the final game 11 times. He has also been a guest coach with the Hamilton Tiger Cats and is currently an executive member of the Steel City Bowl all-star game in Hamilton. Randy Kitts - Sudbury Spartans Randy was the Spartans equipment manager and assistant trainer from 1975 to 1987. In addition, he was a member of the club executive and assisted the coaching staff with numerous duties behind the scenes that players and others were very much appreciative of. John “Jack” Leitch - Northern Football Conference Was an on field official for 14 seasons and became the League Referee in Chief in 1995. Established a panel of officials from all officiating boards involved in the Conference that has helped bring uniformity to how games are officiated.
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