Inducted October 14, 2000
As a team leader, Bob Badcock had few his equal during his playing days, in particular, as a hockey player with the Guards and St. John’s Capitals. He brought tenacity and intensity to every team he played with and coached. In the 1980’s, a poll carried out by the St. John’s Daily News ranked him fifth on the All Time Best Hockey Coaches List behind his mentor Howie Meeker, Joe Byrne, George Faulkner, and Danky Dorrington – all members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame.
Bob coached five St. John’s teams to the Herder Memorial Championship in the glory years of senior hockey in Newfoundland. He led Newfoundland Hockey Contingents to Allan Cup Championships on five occasions and two Atlantic Hockey Championship titles.
He played on four Boyle Trophy Hockey Championship Teams with the Guards, the last two years as team captain. He also achieved success playing on three Provincial Soccer Championship teams with the Guards.
The teams Bob coached successfully in the early 1970’s were a classic example of in-depth tactical knowledge, motivational skills and inspired leadership. Bob’s success was not distinguished by many individual honours and awards but his strong team orientation was pivotal to the success he achieved at all levels of participation.
He served for 16 years on the Selection Committee of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and is an Honorary Life Member of the St. John’s Athlete of the Year Committee.
As sports reporter and editor during a distinguished 25 year career with The Evening Telegram, his was a strong voice on environmental issues which had not achieved the level of prominence and notoriety he has today. His competitive spirit and drive are the hallmarks of his induction into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame.
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