Sports Hall of Fame

King Township Sports Hall of Fame

In 2025, the King Township Sports Hall of Fame was established to highlight the rich sporting history of the Township and honour those who have made a lasting impact on their chosen sporting discipline in various capacities.

In February 2026, the inaugural class was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at the Mayor's Cultural Gala and included Jim Elder, Mike Kitchen, Rosie MacLennan and Suzanne Morrow Francis. New inductees will be added every two years hereafter (see below for how to nominate someone for induction into the Sports Hall of Fame).

Jim Elder - BUILDER AWARD

Jim Elder is one of Canada’s most accomplished equestrians, having competed in six Olympic Games between 1956 and 1984 and winning both gold and bronze medals for Canada. A key figure in elevating Canadian show jumping on the world stage, he was part of the legendary trio with James Day and Thomas Gayford that secured major international victories in the late 1960s and 1970s. Elder spent decades contributing to equestrian sport in the King Township and area, recognized locally as one of the region’s most notable Olympians. His legacy is cemented through numerous honours, including induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Mike Kitchen - COACH AWARD

Mike Kitchen is a Canadian former NHL defenseman and longtime coach. He began his hockey journey with the Schomberg Red Wings before advancing to Junior A and winning the 1975 Memorial Cup. He went on to play for the Colorado Rockies and New Jersey Devils before beginning a coaching career that included roles with the Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers, and the Chicago Blackhawks, where he helped win the 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cups. Known for his defensive expertise and leadership, Kitchen has coached in more than 2,400 NHL games, making him one of the league’s most experienced bench coaches.

Rosie MacLennan - ATHLETE AWARD

Rosannagh “Rosie” MacLennan is one of Canada’s most accomplished Olympians and the only trampolinist in history to win back‑to‑back Olympic gold medals (London 2012 and Rio 2016). She has also earned multiple World Championship titles and Pan American Games gold medals, making her one of Canada’s most successful gymnasts ever. Known for her high‑difficulty routines and exceptional consistency, MacLennan has represented Canada at four Olympic Games and served as Team Canada’s flag bearer at Rio 2016.

Suzanne Morrow Francis - LEGACY AWARD

Suzanne Morrow Francis (1930-2006) was a Canadian figure skater who won bronze in pairs at the 1948 Winter Olympics in London with Wallace Diestelmeyer. The pair made history by performing the first one‑handed death spiral in Olympic competition. In addition to her pairs success, she excelled in singles, placing 14th in 1948 and 6th in 1952 at the Winter Olympics. After retiring from competition, she became a prominent judge and official; in 1988, was the first woman to take the Olympic Judge’s Oath at the Calgary Winter Games.

Visit the Sports Hall of Fame exhibition and the history of sports timeline at the Zancor Centre during normal operating hours.

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Early Life
Toronto-born Robert James “Jim” Elder (b. 1934) began riding at a young age. At age 16, Elder started competitive jumping, quickly distinguishing himself as a talented young rider. His early start and undeniable skill led him to become the youngest rider ever to earn a place on the Canadian Equestrian Team, marking the beginning of a long international career.
Olympics
Over his 36‑year international career, Elder competed in six Olympic Games including 1956 Melbourne/Stockholm (equestrian events held in Stockholm due to strict animal‑quarantine laws which made it impossible for foreign horses to enter Australia in time for competition), 1960 Rome, 1968 Mexico City, 1972 Munich, 1976 Montreal, and 1984 Los Angeles. He earned a bronze medal in Team Eventing in 1956 and a gold medal in Team Jumping in 1968.
World Titles
Jim Elder’s victories extended beyond the Olympic stage, with multiple Pan American Games medals, including team gold in 1959 and 1971, and a World Championship title in 1970.
Elder was an integral member of the legendary Canadian show‑jumping trio of the late 1960s, alongside James Day and Thomas Gayford, that propelled Canada to international prominence. Their achievements included Grand Prix victories, world titles, and consistent podium finishes across worldwide events. Jim Elder’s leadership and excellence were further recognized when he served as Canada’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Community Builder
Beyond competition, Elder made a lasting contribution to equestrian sport through training, mentorship, and community involvement. For 50 years, he and his late wife Marianne operated Elderberry Hill Farm in Aurora, where they hosted the first Grand Prix jumping competition in North America in 1961 and trained generations of riders and horses. Elder’s influence also extended into King Township, long recognized as a historic training ground for elite equestrians, contributing to the region’s reputation as a hub for world‑class riders and Olympic‑level training.
Jim Elder has been inducted into the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, and Canada’s Walk of Fame. In 1983, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. His lifelong dedication to sport, training, and community service continues to inspire equestrian athletes throughout King Township and beyond.
Jim Elder was inducted into the King Township Sports Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 2026. He received the BUILDER award for sports excellence and community leadership.
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Early Life and Entrance into Hockey
Mike Kitchen (b. 1956) grew up in Schomberg in a hockey-loving family. His minor hockey career began with the Schomberg Red Wings, where he played in multiple age divisions and contributed to three championship wins at the Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget levels. At age 15, he was invited to join the Aurora Tigers, becoming one of the team’s youngest players. Kitchen advanced to Junior A hockey with the Toronto Marlboros, winning the 1975 Memorial Cup.
NHL Playing Career
Mike Kitchen entered the NHL after being drafted 38th overall in the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft by the Kansas City Scouts, a franchise that relocated that same year to become the Colorado Rockies. He made his NHL debut during the 1976–77 season, joining the newly relocated Colorado Rockies as a defenseman and was the only player to appear in all six seasons of the Rockies’ existence.
When the franchise moved to New Jersey in 1982, Kitchen continued with the team, playing two additional seasons with the New Jersey Devils (1982–1984). Kitchen spent the entire 1984–85 season with the Maine Mariners of the AHL before choosing to retire from playing professional hockey. Over his NHL career, he played 474 regular‑season games, recording 12 goals, 62 assists, 74 points, and 370 penalty minutes
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player in 1985, Kitchen began a long and successful coaching career. His coaching career began in the 1988–89 season as an assistant coach with the Saints before moving to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he spent eight seasons and contributed to their 1993 and 1994 conference finals runs. He later joined the St. Louis Blues, becoming their head coach midway through the 2003–04 NHL season.
Kitchen subsequently served as an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers and later the Chicago Blackhawks, where he helped secure Stanley Cup championships in 2013 and 2015, two of the most significant milestones of his coaching career.
Legacy and Contributions
Across his decades‑long coaching career, Mike Kitchen has been behind the bench for over 2,400 NHL games, including playoffs, as of 2016. Known for his defensive expertise, work ethic, and calm leadership, he has played a significant role in developing NHL talent and contributing to championship‑level teams.
Mike Kitchen was inducted into the King Township Sports Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 2026. He received the COACH award for sports excellence and community leadership.
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Early Life and Entrance into Trampoline
Born and raised in King City, Rosie attended King City Secondary School and trained at Skyriders Trampoline Place in nearby Richmond Hill, under renowned coach David Ross. She later completed a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education at the University of Toronto in 2011.
Canadian Championships
Rosie MacLennan was a Canadian National Women’s Champion many times over, winning national titles in 2005, 2009, and 2011. In 2007, she was the World Champion in synchronized trampoline with Karen Cockburn. These early national successes helped establish her as one of Canada’s premier trampoline athletes and propelled her onto the world stage.
World Titles
Rosie had a highly decorated career at the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships, winning 3 Gold, 9 Silver, and 7 Bronze medals in individual, synchro, and team events.
She has also earned major titles across both the Pan American and Pacific Rim Championships, winning individual trampoline gold at the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games along with earlier silver in 2007. She also claimed multiple Pan American Championship golds across team, synchro, and individual events in 2006, 2008, and 2014.
At the Pacific Rim Championships, she added five gold medals, including individual, synchro, and team gold in 2012, and further titles in 2014.
Olympic Achievements
MacLennan made history as the first trampolinist to ever win back‑to‑back Olympic gold medals (London 2012 and Rio 2016). She was selected as Team Canada’s Opening Ceremony flag bearer at Rio 2016 in recognition of her leadership and achievements. MacLennan also competed at Beijing 2008 (finishing 7th) and Tokyo 2020, finishing seventh in 2008 and narrowly missing the podium (finishing 4th). A four‑time Olympian, Rosie also served in a leadership capacity as Chair of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) Athletes’ Commission.
Advocacy
Since announcing her retirement in 2022, MacLennan has remained active in the sporting community, focusing on advocacy, mentorship, and advancing safe, inclusive, and equitable sport across Canada—continuing to embody the confidence, resilience, and leadership that defined her athletic career.
She has played a vital role as a National Canadian Tire Jumpstart Ambassador, helping to lead campaigns aimed at removing financial barriers to sport for children and youth across Canada. Her responsibilities have included promoting Jumpstart’s annual Red Ball campaign and supporting grassroots programming designed to increase access to recreational sport.
Rosie MacLennan was inducted into the King Township Sports Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 2026. She received the ATHLETE award for sports excellence and community leadership.
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Early Life & Entrance into Skating
Morrow began skating as a child and quickly rose through national rankings, becoming known for her technical skill and artistry. By the mid‑1940s, she was already competing at national championships and gaining prominence in both singles and pairs events.
Pairs Success with Wallace Diestelmeyer
Her most significant early achievements came in partnership with Wallace Diestelmeyer. Together, they earned a Bronze medal at the 1948 World Figure Skating Championships Bronze medal at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz and a Bronze medal at the 1948 World Figure Skating Championships.
The duo also made figure skating history by becoming the first pair to perform the one‑handed death spiral in competition at the 1948 Olympics, a move that has since become iconic in pair skating!
Singles Career
Beyond pairs, Morrow had a strong singles career. She represented Canada at the 1948 Winter Olympics (14th place) and the 1952 Winter Olympics (6th place).
In addition, she was a Canadian Ladies’ Champion from 1949 to 1951 and consistently finished in the top tier of international competitors, placing as high as 4th at the World Championships.
Veterinary Career
Remarkably, Morrow balanced high‑level sport with academics, earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1952 from the Ontario Veterinary College. She practiced as a veterinarian until 1995, sharing a clinic for a time with Dr. Edith Williams, one of Canada’s earliest female veterinarians. She also served as an All-Breed dog show judge with the Canadian Kennel Club, reflecting her lifelong love of animals.
Judging & Leadership in Skating
After retiring from competition in 1953, Morrow became a dedicated figure skating judge, serving for more than 50 years at Canadian and international events, including World Championships and multiple Olympic Games.
In 1988, she became the first woman to take the Olympic Judge’s Oath at the Winter Olympics in Calgary, an historic milestone for women in sport officiating.
She was inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame in 1992, along with Diestelmeyer, honouring their lasting impact on the sport.
Suzanne Morrow Francis was inducted into the King Township Sports Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 2026. She received the LEGACY award (post-humously) for sports excellence and community leadership.
Sports players and/or fans: we’re looking for a diverse group of residents who are passionate about King's sporting history to help induct the class of 2026 in the inaugural King Township Sports Hall of Fame. Located at the Zancor Centre, the Hall will be dedicated to recognizing past and current King athletes for their achievements in sports, in an exhibit featuring memorabilia and photos.
Committee member responsibilities:
- Evaluate nominations and research to select top candidates
- Promote the Hall within the community
- Establish guidelines for inductees
- Coordinate with inductees for their involvement in the Hall
- Help organize Hall events, including the bi-annual induction ceremony
- Set long-term goals for the Hall and collaborate with Township staff to achieve them
Applicants must be aged 16 years or older and will be required to attend in-person monthly meetings, starting January 2025.
Apply Here
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From figure skaters to hockey players, equestrians to trampolinists, a wide selection of Olympic and professional athletes have called King Township home!
Athletes, coaches, teams, and others who have made an impact on sports in King Township will be considered for inclusion in the Sports Hall of Fame (SHOF). A volunteer committee of King citizens is responsible for reviewing nominations and deciding on who will be inaugurated into the SHOF.
The first class will be inaugurated into the SHOF during the Mayor's Cultural Gala in February 2026, and classes will follow every two years thereafter.
Who would you like to see in the King Township Sports Hall of Fame? Use this form to suggest one or more athletes for the SHOF! Thank you!

King Township Sports Hall of Fame

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