Before there were organized minor sports in Guelph, Harold Cole was a one-man show. Fellow Hall of Fame inductee Hugh Bowman once wrote “you name it and ‘Coley’ was involved as everything from water boy to team president – he was a Guelph institution.”
His many years of journalism make him an accomplished writer. Along with being a long time columnist with the Guelph Mercury he wrote a book entitled the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame. Although the Hall of Fame didn’t come into being until well after his passing, it is still referred to today for information. He also wrote books on the history of hockey in Guelph and the history of baseball. Upon Cole’s passing at age 71, veteran sports observer Harold Western declared “no one in Guelph ever did more for sports among young people in our city.”
While he loved all sports, baseball was his greatest love. He not only coached and managed minor league teams; he organized teams where previously there were none. He raised funds and taught the youngsters how to play the game. Literally hundreds of boys and girls were influenced by Cole and he was affectionately referred to as the ‘Old Master’ by many.
Harold Cole, a leader, a sports historian and an inspiration to remember from the City of Guelph.
Inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame – Builder category – on May 12, 2004
