In recognition of an extraordinary career, Durham College’s (DC) director of athletics, Ken Babcock, was announced on January 28 as a 2019 Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame inductee. The announcement was made to City Council, followed by a media conference at the Robert McLaughlin Art Gallery. A formal induction ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 29 at the Tribute Communities Centre.

Beginning his career with the college in 1987, Ken has been an outstanding leader and mentor, having helped many Durham Lords sports teams achieve an astonishing 42 provincial gold medals and 105 overall medals in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA), and an additional five gold and 22 overall medals in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA).

His influence at DC goes beyond coaching, as Ken was a driving force behind the construction of the Campus Fieldhouse and Vaso’s Field in 2003, the Campus Ice Centre in 2005 and the Campus Wellness and Recreation Centre in 2007, all of which serve students and employees, but also the wider community.

“Ken has spent many years guiding young athletes to achieve success both on and off the field. His accomplishments are a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for athletics at DC and beyond,” says Don Lovisa, president, DC. “The entire DC community is extremely proud of Ken and this well-deserved recognition.”

Over the span of his sports career, Ken helped found the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Association in 1994, created the Durham College Sports Hall of Fame in 1997, helped launch the OCAA Hall of Fame in 2003, and developed and launched the University of Ontario Institute of Technology varsity athletics program in 2003.

He has also given back to the Oshawa community beyond the campus, primarily through Baseball Oshawa, where he has coached since 2005 and served as president since 2012. He was also a member of the organizing committee for the 2000 Ontario Summer Games, the 2008 Ontario Special Olympics Spring Games as well as the baseball portion of the 2015 Toronto Pan-Am Games.

The Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame honours the achievements of five Oshawa individuals and teams every year, recognizing those who have attained prominence and distinction in sports and who have made a major contribution to the development of sport.

Former DC Men’s Basketball coach, Peter Gordon, was also was also announced as a 2019 inductee.