WOLFVILLE, N.S. - Acadia University and the Department of Athletics will honour seven individuals on Oct. 14 as the newest Acadia Sports Hall of Fame inductees.
The 2017 inductees comprise of six athletes and one builder. The event will take place at the Sheldon Fountain Learning Commons on the Acadia University campus beginning at 10 a.m.
The Acadia Sports Hall of Fame recognizes those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the athletic program at Acadia University and who, as a result of their contribution, have enhanced the image and reputation of the university.
Athletes entering the Sports Hall of Fame this fall will include basketball greats Alvin Jessamy ('79) and Donnie Ehler ('83). Jessamy will be inducted posthumously. Also on the list are multi-sport athlete Don MacVicar ('57), Hockey Axeman Bob Ferguson ('59), soccer’s Jeff Farquhar ('94), and volleyball stand-out Lori-Beth MacEwen ('04). Local retired sports reporter John DeCoste ('77) will be inducted in the builder category.
John DeCoste - Builder
From September 1993 to April 2016, John DeCoste was employed as a sports reporter and photographer for the Kings County Advertiser and Register. During that time, coverage of Acadia varsity sports was a big part of his regular 'beat' and an important part of his life.
A native of Pictou, John entered Acadia as a student in 1973, graduating in 1977. This year marks the 40th anniversary of that graduation with a BA in history and English.
Lori Beth MacEwen – Athlete
A competitive gymnast in her early years of sport, Cole Harbour, native Lori-Beth MacEwen (’04) made the transition to volleyball in part due to a desire to play school team sports.
Her storied career at Acadia began in the fall of 2000. Named as an AUS all-star four of her five years as a member of the Axewomen volleyball team, MacEwen is one of the most decorated volleyball players in the history of the Axewomen program.
Jeff Farquhar – Athlete
Considered by many to be the rope that kept the Acadia Soccer Axemen tightly bound, Jeff Farquhar was a keeper for the team from the fall of 1990 to his graduation in the spring of 1994.
In his four years with the Axemen, Farquhar was an AUAA all-star twice, in 1992 and 1993. He was selected as a CIAU Second Team All-Canadian in ’93 as well.
Farquhar’s All-Canadian designation was only the second time in recent Axemen soccer history dating back to 1979 that a member was named to the All-Canadian squad.
Donnie Ehler – Athlete
Donnie Ehler (’83) entered Acadia and joined the basketball Axemen in the fall of 1978. During the next five years, few players were better displaying a skill set they brought to the court than Ehler. His shooting/scoring touch, steady play and consistently accurate free-throw shooting would become his trademark.
Ehler was a bright light in a challenging 1981-82 season, turning in not only the finest campaign in his Acadia career, but also one of the most outstanding in conference history.
He led the AUAA with a 29 points-per-game average and 88 per cent free throw percentage. Donnie's 522 points, achieved without the benefit of a three-point line, came within two of breaking the AUAA single-season record of 524 set by teammate Ted Upshaw the previous year. He was rewarded for his accomplishments with a berth on the second all-conference team.
Alvin Jessamy – Athlete
A native of Yonkers, New York, Alvin Jessamy contributed greatly to three of the finest seasons in the history of men's basketball at Acadia.
Alvin played an important role in Acadia's third CIAU championship season in 1976-77. Highlights included 38 points and 19 field goals in a game against St. F.X., 11 free throws in a win over UPEI, and a conference-best 49 offensive rebounds on the season. He was selected to the first all-conference team for a second straight year.
Bob Ferguson – Athlete
A native of Sydney Mines, Bob Ferguson (’59) was a multi-sport high school athlete starring in both baseball and hockey. Before entering Acadia in the fall of 1955, Ferguson was a member of the Maritime Junior Hockey Champion North Side Franklyns and baseball’s Sydney Mines Ramblers.
A four-season veteran of the Axemen hockey team, this rushing rearguard could score when called upon, but is probably best remembered as a rugged, bruising defenceman who kept things honest in front of the Acadia net.
Bob captained the Axemen during his last two seasons and has been described by teammates as solid, affable, and a great leader in the dressing room.
Don MacVicar – Athlete
A product of a well-known and highly respected Glace Bay sports family and the son of legendary Caledonia rugby coach Charlie MacVicar, Don MacVicar (’57) entered Acadia in the fall of 1953. He was the third MacVicar son to wear the Axemen colours, joining brothers Neil (Class of 1950, known as “Scorchy”) and Jim (Class of 1955, aka “Lefty”).
Don was a three-sport athlete, bringing his talents to the rugby and football fields and the hockey rink. He would suit up for three seasons with the Acadia rugby team as a flying half and kicker.
The 1956 season saw Canadian football replace rugby as a varsity sport. Fittingly, Acadia’s first-ever touchdown was scored by team captain Donnie MacVicar. During that inaugural season, Don played fullback and was the team’s placekicker.
As a hockey Axeman, MacVicar patrolled the blueline for three seasons. A cagy defender and solid puck-handler, Donnie moved up from defense to left wing in his second and third years.
Tickets are available for the 2017 Acadia Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at https://events.attend.com/f/1383780051
