Inducted October 31, 1998
Henry Summers, a native of St. John’s, was an exceptional soccer performer who performed with several Feildian, St. John’s League Championship Teams and an All Newfoundland Championship Team in 1964. He was also a hockey goalie of some note, however, he will be best remembered for his efforts on behalf of the Sport Boxing both at the Provincial and National Levels.
In the fall of 1974, Bob Hillier the Executive Director of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador called a meeting in an attempt to revive amateur boxing. Hank Summers was a volunteer Sport instructor with 515 Air Cadet Squadron and cadets under his tutelage expressed an interest in the sport.
Hank Summers attended and so began a passion for the growth and development of the Sport Boxing. He became the Secretary/Treasurer and within the year, he became its President which role he relinquished in March of 1992 to accept a position on the Executive of Boxing Canada. Hank Summers in the years 1974 to 1992 spent countless hours as a coach, an official, an administrator and fund raiser. A visit from Hank Summers to a friend in the business community always culminated in a successful request to assist in sending one of his fighters, of whom Hank Summers saw not only much potential as a boxer but too as a means of assisting many to broaden their horizons. That has been Hank Summers legacy to the Sport of Boxing and giving generously and tirelessly of his efforts.
In 1987 for his efforts, he was named Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Executive of the Year. He has been also instrumental in bringing three (3) National Boxing Championships to the Province in an attempt to bring greater exposure to the Sport and has managed four (4) Canada Games Boxing Teams from Newfoundland.
He has served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association since 1974 and presently is the Association’s Vice President and Representative to the Commonwealth Games of Canada since 1991. He has been, since 1987, Team Manager on seven (7) occasions and accompanied National Boxing contingents to World Competitions due to the technical, administrative and leadership capabilities that he has displayed.
Sport Newfoundland and Labrador welcomes its newest builder to be inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall Of Fame.
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