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Three people inducted into Sault Ste. Marie Sports Hall of Fame

Sherri Smith, Richard Evoy and Folgo Della Vedova recognized for their contributions to sports
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The City of Sault Ste. Marie inducted three athletes into its Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony Wednesday. Left to right: City councillor Rick Niro, Richard Evoy, Sherri Smith, Folgo Della Vedova. James Hopkin/SooToday

Golfer Richard Evoy, javelin coach and athlete Folgo Della Vedova and track athlete Sherri Smith were all inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony at city hall Thursday night.

“It’s definitely a very, very nice honour,” Evoy told SooToday prior to the ceremony. “When you look at all the people that are in the hall of fame before you, it’s kind of humbling because I’ve watched most of these people play sports over the years, and I’ve played with some of them myself.”

“It’s just a really, really nice honour to be able to do this in our city,” he continued. “I love the city, spent my whole life here, so it’s nice.”

Della Vedova, who was a javelin coach at St. Mary’s College and St. Basil’s Secondary, says that he took to throwing a javelin when he was in grade ten.

“When I picked up the javelin it just felt so good,” Della Vedova said. “Just thinking back when the javelin was used both in the military sense or hunting for food, it was just that interesting feeling of picking up a spear and throwing it.”

Della Vedova says it’s an honour to be inducted into the local sports hall of fame.

“I know the members who are in the sports hall of fame now have some pretty amazing achievements behind them and accomplishments, so being part of that group is pretty special,” he said.

Track star Sherri Smith, who represented Canada at six world championships, says that she’s always made it a point to let the world know where she comes from.

“I’m extremely honoured,” Smith said. “In all my competitions I ensured that Sault Ste. Marie was included with my name, and that I represented my city.”

“I feel honoured that I get to do that again tonight.”

Here’s a list of some of the accomplishments belonging to this year’s inductees:

Folgo Della Vedova – Javelin, Coaching, Athlete

  • Coaching: 1975 - 2018 Secondary School and University Javelin athletes
  • 1970 - 1974 OUAA Bronze, Silver, Gold Medalist, Record Holder
  • 1975-1999 Senior Men Provincial, National Bronze, Silver, Gold Medalist
  • 1985 - 1999 Masters Provincial, National, International Medalist, Record Holder
  • 1978-1991 Provincial & National Achievement Award for Distinguished Performance in Amateur Athletics

Richard Evoy – Golf Athlete

  • 27 Golf Tournament Wins in Sault Ste. Marie and Ontario
  • Nine Sault Ste. Marie Club Championships, three Labour Day and four City Championships
  • Qualified and played in five National Golf Championships – 20th Place in 2015
  • Canadian Senior Championships in Capilano, B.C.
  • Represented Ontario at Ontario/Michigan Senior Ryder Cup (2015)
  • Qualified and played in 1999 and 2003 Canadian Tour Golf Professional Tournaments.
  • Qualified and played in the Ontario Amateur, the Ontario Mid-Amateur, the
  • Ontario Junior and Ontario Senior Championships.

Sherri Smith – Track Athlete

  • (1st) Canadian National Track & Field Champion in 5000M (1998)
  • (1st) World ITU Women Overall Champion Triathlon (2004) Maeira, Portugal
  • Represented Canada at 6 World Championships
  • HP Broughton Award – Sault Ste. Marie Athlete of the Year (2005)
  • Sault Ste. Marie Medal of Merit Award for Athletic Achievement (2015)
  • Canadian National Track & Field Champion in 500M (1998)

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James Hopkin

About the Author: James Hopkin

James Hopkin is a reporter for SooToday in Sault Ste. Marie
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