Don Wakelyn (2004)

Don Wakelyn, a dedicated volunteer, had boundless energy and he immersed himself in the Victoria sports scene through the latter part of the 20th century, especially where there were youngsters concerned. He began developing his connections to amateur sport in the early 1950's and was soon involved with soccer, baseball, hockey and basketball. Wakelyn was an outstanding administrator for Little League baseball and a co-founder of the Gorge Soccer Association. Having been involved in soccer, he and co-coaches George Kulai and Earl Barnswell encouraged a number of senior players to coach boys' teams in the Hampton Park area and that led to the formation of the Gorge association that still thrives today. While he held executive positions in local and provincial soccer, Wakelyn also found time to get involved in hockey and was the founding secretary of the Esquimalt Figure Skating Club. In summer, baseball was his passion but he also contributed to the well being of lacrosse. Wakelyn was named Victoria's Sportsman of the Year in 1968, but that was near the start of his lengthy, active, behind the scenes, involvement. Thousands of young people benefited from his tireless volunteer work over the years and many athletes owe him a debt of gratitude.