The Northern Football Conference Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 1985 to recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals to the league.
In its 50+ year history, the NFC has established a rich tradition of excellence thanks to people like those in the Hall of Fame.
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Inducted 1985 - Sid Forster | Inducted 1994 - Scott Spurgeon |
Inducted 1986 - Alex Fex | Inducted 1995 - Paul Gauthier |
Inducted 1986 - Norm Lekun | Inducted 1996 - Gary Ricker |
Inducted 1987 - Gord Evans | Inducted 1997 - Nick D'Orazio |
Inducted 1987 - Phil Smith Sr. | Inducted 1997 - Ottavio DeBenedet |
Inducted 1988 - Leo Lavergne | Inducted 1998 - Jim Young |
Inducted 1988 - Ray Owens | Inducted 1999 - Peter Ennis |
Inducted 1989 - Gary Costello | Inducted 2000 - Dave D'Aloisio |
Inducted 1990 - Ernie Lekun | Inducted 2000 - John Miller |
Inducted 1991 - Sam Cuomo | Inducted 2001 - Dale Buisson |
Inducted 1992 - Brian Reid | Inducted 2003 - Dave St Amour |
Inducted 1993 - Ken Naples | Inducted 2003 - Randy Kitts |
Inducted 1993 - Ken Shields | Inducted 2005 - John Morelli |
Inducted 1993 - Val Buttazzoni | Inducted 2006 - 1954 Sudbury Hardrocks |
Inducted 1994 - Neri Fratin |
Dale Buisson - Inducted 2001
Buisson was a possession type receiver who started his N.F.C. career with Sudbury in 1987 and then was with the Eagles when they joined the N.F.C. in 1992. He played with the Eagles through 1997. His most productive seasons were 1993 and 1994 when he was recognized as an All Star receiver.
Val Buttazzoni - Inducted 1993
Val played seven outstanding seasons with the Spartans. A hard-hitting linebacker, he was named to NFC All-Star teams on six occasions ('72-'75, '77-'78) and NFC Lineman of the Year in 1977.
Gary Costello - Inducted 1989
Gary was trainer of the Sudbury Spartans almost from the club's inception in the early 1950's as well as administrator. In 1972, he was named NFC Executive of the Year, an award presented periodically to recognize outstanding contributions to the NFC or its affiliated clubs.
Sam Cuomo - Inducted 1991
A stellar linebacker over ten years, Cuomo made an immediate impact was voted NFC Rookie of the Year in 1977. He was named to the NFC All-Star Team eight times ('79-'86). Sam played on seven championship teams.
Ottavio DeBenedet - Inducted 1997
Ottavio was an outstanding player in the mid to late 1970's. He was a three time league All-star as Running Back (1976-78) and was named NFC MVP. He also won the August Kangro Memorial Trophy in 1977. He competed in 2 Plaunte Memorial Trophy championships winning in 1977.
Dave D'Aloisio - Inducted 2000
Dave was an All Star in 1982 and 1983. He earned League MVP honours and was the Championship Game MVP in 1983. Dave combined with Neri Fratin to form the only 1,000 yard backfield in 1983. His 1,777 career rushing yards put him 6th on the Sudbury team chart and 17th on the League rushing list. Dave also holds the Spartans single game record for most rushing yards ina game when he tore through the Oakville Longhorns for 247 in 1982. Dave was a member of Sudbury championship squads in 1982, 1983 and 1987.
Nick D'Orazio - Inducted 1997
Nick played seven years as a Running Back in the NFC from 1981 to 1987. He averaged 5.18 yards per carry. He was named to the NFC All-star team three times (1984-85, 1987) and won the August Kangro Memorial Trophy in the 1985. He played for the Plaunte Memorial Trophy Championship seven times winning five (1982-85, 1987).
Peter Ennis - Inducted 1999
Ennis was a proven two way performer who was recognized with All Star honours at Linebacker in 1971 and 1974 as well as Tight End in 1975 and 1976. Played with Sudbury's championship units in 1970, 1971 and 1977. After his playing days were done, Ennis moved on to become the Women's Basketball Coach at Laurentian University in 1979. He took his team to the National Championships every year he was coach and led the Lady Vees to the C.I.A.U. Women's Basketball title in 1990 and 1991. He was also the Head Coach of the Women's National Basketball team in 1995 and the Women's Basketball Coach at the Alanta Olympics in 1996. Peter passed away in 1997.
Gord Evans - Inducted 1987
His nickname said it all - "Mr. Everything". During his ten-year career he did it all on the field and he did it supremely well. He played defence. He played offence. He was a rusher. He was a receiver. He returned punts and kick-offs. In fact, he was the Spartans career offensive leader.
Alex Fex - Inducted 1986
Alex was the premier offensive player in the NFC from 1965-68. He won scoring titles three times ('65, '66, '68). In 1970 he was voted NFC Most Valuable Player. He was a member of eight championship teams.
Sid Forster - Inducted 1985
Player, coach, executive, Sid was the driving force behind the Spartans and the NFC for almost 30 years. He won the league scoring title in 1955. He coached teams to 17 championships and won 12. Was named NFC Coach of the Year eight times.
Neri Fratin - Inducted 1994
Blessed with natural speed and quickness, Neri was the NFC's premier running back during his career. In 1992, he won the NFC scoring title and was named NFC Offensive Player of the Year. He was an All-Star in '82 and '85.He played on five championship-winning teams ('82, '83, '84, '85, '87).
Paul Gauthier - Inducted 1995
As Spartans quarterback, Paul led his teams to five championships and was twice selected championship game Most Valuable Player ('83, '84). He was voted NFC MVP in '85, NFC Offensive Player of the Year in '83 and '85 and the NFC All-Star Team in '83, 84, 85.
Randy Kitts - Inducted 2003
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.
Leo Lavergne - Inducted 1988
Prior to finishing his career with the Spartans, Leo put in stellar stints with Sturgeon Falls and North Bay. Both a running back and reciever, the versatile player was named to the NFC All-Star Team in '71, '72 and '76.
Ernie Lekun - Inducted 1990
A big, strong, tough, feared lineman, Ernie played on both sides of the line of scrimmage. He was twice named NFC Lineman of the Year ('62 and '67). He was a member of three championship teams.
Norm Lekun - Inducted 1986
An offensive threat over his ten-year career, Norm won the NFC scoring title twice ('58 and '60). He won the Most Valuable Player Award in the year it was instituted, 1958.
John Miller - Inducted 2000
John had a storied career with the Silver and Blue. When he hung up his cleats, he was the League's Career scoring leader with 479 points (passed by the late Mike Jackson in 1998). He also retired as the League leader in touchdowns scored with 79. He is second on the League rushing chart with 762 carries for 4,993 yards and 55 rushing touchdowns. He arned the August Kangro Memorial Trophy as the League's top scorer four consecutionyears (1991 - 1994), the only time this has been accomplished. Miller was a 6 time All Star, League MVP in 1991 and 1994 and was tabbed as the Championship Game MVP in 1991. John also was a member od Spartan championship squads in 1991 and 1992.
John Morelli - Inducted 2005
A versatile defensive back and punt/ kicker who played with the Spartans from 1984 to 1988. Led the League in interceptions in 1985 and was cited as an All Star at this position in 1985, 1987, and 1988. Led the League in Punt returns in 1985 and earned All Star honours at this slot in 1985 and 1988. Played three championship games earning title nods in 1985 and 1987.
Ken Naples - Inducted 1993
A gifted offensive lineman, Ken was four times voted to the NFC All-Star Team ('71, '72, '73, '74). He was a member of two championship teams ('70, '71).
Ray Owens - Inducted 1988
Ray was first a star player with the Spartans and then went on to work as an assistant coach. He won scoring titles in '70 and '71. He was a member of four NFC championship teams.
Brain Reid - Inducted 1992
In his first NFC season, 1973, Brian won NFC Rookie of the Year honours as well as being named to the NFC All-Star Team. Ten years later, in his final season, he was again an All-Star. In all, he garnered eight All-Star nominations.
Gary Ricker - Inducted 1996
Gary played seven seasons with the Spartans and was twice named to the All-Star Team. In each year that he played the Spartans went to the championship final winning three. He became an assistance coach to Sid Forster and won eight more championships.
Ken Shields - Inducted 1993
Ken played tight end through five seasons with the Spartans. A gifted athlete, he was voted 1971 NFC Rookier of the Year even though he had never played football before joining the Spartans. Three times he was named to the All-Star Team, '72, '73, '74. He played on the 1971 NFC championship team.
Phil Smith Sr. - Inducted 1987.
Without Phil, there would be no Sudbury Spartans football team. Inducted into the NFC as a builder, Phil was the administrative cornerstone of the team for more than four decades.
Scott Spurgeon - Inducted 1994
Scott, a stellar defensive back, was named to the '80, '81, '83, '85 NFC All-Star Teams. He also made the '83 and '84 All-Star Team as a punt returner. In 1980 he set a single season record for interceptions with nine. He played on four championships squads
Dave St. Amour - Inducted 2003
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.
Jim Young - Inducted 1998
Young spent 14 years, from 1973-87, on Sudbury's offenive line, and was honoured as an all-star at the guard position four times, in 1979, 1981, 1983 and 1985. Young also won five NFC championships eith the Spartans during his tenure.
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