Inducted November 4, 1989
Ben Lake was born in Fortune and owns a sport career that spans more than 35 years. As a builder he was a driving force behind the promotion and development of soccer both in the Province and on the National scene. His contribution to the game of soccer is unsurpassed. It was during his period as President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association that he did most to promote soccer. He was instrumental in arranging corporate sponsorship for provincial adult and minor soccer programs. He assisted in getting and arranging a World Cup Soccer game in St. John’s in 1972. In 1973 and 1975 he arranged to have Ayr United do a ten day tour of the Province. In 1980 he played a key role in having Canada’s World Cup team play Northern Ireland in St. John’s. In 1985 he was chairman of facilities for the World Cup game between Canada and Honduras.
Lake was elected a Director of the Canadian Soccer Association in April 1977. He held the position of Director Senior Amateur Soccer for three years and then was elected Vice-President, a position he held until April 1982. In 1981 he travelled, as chairman of the National team committee, to Honduras with the Canadian World Cup team, where they participated in World Cup Competition.
He has been recognized by his peers for his major contributions. In 1975 he was the first recipient of Newfoundland Provincial Amateur Sports Executive of the Year. He has also received the Ontario Soccer Association Award for outstanding service to soccer in Canada. Lake now belongs to four soccer Halls of Fame including the St. John’s Hall of Fame and the Provincial Soccer Hall of Fame. Ben Lake is still contributing, he recently acted as General Chairman for the National Mens and Ladies Championships held in St. John’s.
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