Vince Withers – Builder

Inducted October 28, 1995

Vince Withers, Carbonear native has been instrumental over the years in the development of Softball, Curling, Sport Newfoundland and Labrador and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame. Vince was co-founder of Softball Newfoundland and Labrador, a member of the organizing committees that founded the St. John’s Senior A Softball League and St. John’s Metro Umpires Association and in 1972, he served as President of the local Senior Men’s League. He was President of Umpires for 10 years.

Vince was appointed the first Softball Canada Commissioner for Newfoundland, and in 1972, he was the first Newfoundland umpire to officiate at a National Championship. He has acted as General Chairman for five National Softball Championships – 1979 Senior Men’s, 1982 Senior Ladies, 1986 Junior Men’s, 1988 Senior Ladies and 1989 Senior Men’s. Vince was also General Chairman for the 1994 World Women’s Championships in St. John’s, a pre-Olympic qualifier for the 1996 Olympics. He was instrumental in the construction of the Caribou Softball Complex to host the World event.

Vince was inducted in Softball Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame in 1972 and Softball Canada Hall of Fame in 1990 in the Builder category.

Over the ten year period from 1980-1989, Vince held many Executive positions with the St. John’s Curling Club. He was President in 1985 and made major contributions to the development of curling.

Vince served as Chairman of the Provincial Sports Hall of Fame Board of Governors from 1988 – 1992 and was Chairman of the Selection Committee in 1986.