Since his arrival in Thunder Bay in the early 1960s to pursue a teaching career, this exceptional builder has dedicated himself to athletics as an educator, coach, official and volunteer leader. His over 30-year teaching career began at Selkirk where he served as the Head of Physical Education during much of the 1960s, 70s and 80s and concluded at Hammarskjold High School retiring in the early 1990s. 

During those years he took on a number of roles including coaching senior and junior football, basketball and track and field teams as a Head or Assistant Coach, often leading them to success, and providing guidance as a student advisor.

Serving as a SSSAA representative for Selkirk during the 1960s and 70s, including a term as President, he worked to gain more formal recognition for the organization. He was a key member of the group that brought the region together to form the Northwestern Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association with the goal to provide greater opportunities for regional athletes to compete provincially.

Named the first NWOSSAA representative to the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association, his years of dedication to high school and youth athletics earned him a number of accolades including the 1993 OFSAA Pete Beach Award.

His commitment to swimming was equally impressive. First getting involved as a starter with the Thunderbolts in the early 1970s, he continued his involvement over the next 40 years, working his way up to become a Swim Ontario Level five master official.

Officiating at a variety of provincial and national competitions, and at the 1988 Olympic Swimming Trials, he worked alongside his wife Elaine to help organize a number of swim meets, and assisted with the swimming events at the 1981 Canada Summer Games in Thunder Bay.

Moving from the pool deck to the Board table, he served as the Northwestern Ontario Region Director for Swim Ontario for all but two years between 1981 to 2000. For his contributions he received a Province of Ontario Special Achievement Award in 1985 and the 1992 Swim Ontario Elizabeth Collins Ralph Officiating Excellence Award.

 

With over half a century of involvement in athletics as a coach, educator, official and leader, Lee Batstone truly embodies the definition of a builder of sport.

Inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, September 28, 2024