OLHOF Class of 2024
ONTARIO LACROSSE HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2024
St. Catharines, ON – June 5, 2024 – Since its inception in 1997, the mission of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame has been to recognize and celebrate the great players and builders of the game in Ontario with the honour of induction into the Hall of Fame.
We are pleased to announce our 2024 inductees who have been nominated by individuals within the Ontario Lacrosse Association community. The Honoured Inductees for 2024 include 2 Players, 1 Builder, 2 Officials and 1 Special Contributor. For more information about submitting your nominations please visit .
2024 Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductees
Player Category: John Fusco, John “JT” Tavares
Builder Category: Mary-Ann “Molly” McIntyre
Officials Category: Bill “Foxy” Fox, Frank Lawrence
Special Contributor Category: Allen “Arbor” Diabo
John Fusco – Player Category
John Fusco embodied the spirit of the Brooklin Redmen.
Starting his lacrosse journey in the Whitby Junior A system from 1980-1984, Fusco quickly made his mark as an offensive powerhouse, finishing in the top seven scorers each year. He captured two Minto Cups during this period, in 1980 and 1984, and clinched the OLA Jr. A Outstanding Rookie in his debut season (1980).
Fusco was a cornerstone of the iconic Brooklin Redmen from 1985-2001. A true Brooklin legend, he played 421 regular season and playoff games, amassing an impressive 382 goals and 832 assists for a total of 1,214 points. His career was decorated with five Mann Cup championships, winning in 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1989, and his final ring in 2000.
John was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2010.
John “JT” Tavares – Player Category
John Tavares, known for his exceptional goal-scoring abilities and unparalleled lacrosse IQ, has left an indelible mark on the sport of lacrosse. His innate talent and passion for the game propelled him to success on both national and international stages.
Tavares’s remarkable career as a player is characterized by a string of impressive achievements and accolades. He played with 8 Mann Cup championship teams from 1992-2012 and as a member of Team Canada, he represented his country with distinction, winning twice at the World Box Lacrosse Championships in 2003 and 2007.
Throughout his career he also received numerous awards and honors including Top Scorer and MVP in Jr. B with the Mississauga Tomahawks, Jr. A with Bay Area, Major Series Lacrosse (MSL), and the National Lacrosse League (NLL). His impressive statistics underscore his impact, holding records as the NLL’s all-time leading scorer in goals, assists, and points. Notably, he was the first player in NLL history to achieve the milestone of 500 goals and 500 assists, further solidifying his legacy as one of lacrosse’s greatest players.
As the head coach of the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), Tavares continues to impart his knowledge and expertise to the next generation of lacrosse players, further cementing his legacy as a true ambassador for the sport.
John was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 2022 and will be inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in October 2024.
Mary-Ann “Molly McIntyre – Builder Category
Molly McIntyre’s enduring legacy as a trailblazing leader in the sport of women’s lacrosse is undeniable. As a key builder in the early years of the game in Ontario and Canada, McIntyre dedicated herself to the growth, development, and promotion of umpires in the game.
An active official herself from 1989-2013 at the provincial, national and international level, Molly was also a great mentor who always gave her time freely to share valuable knowledge and skills with developing officials.
She was instrumental in building umpiring development programs at the local, provincial and national level. She ran clinics, evaluated officials, and helped to design the current NOCP programs. Her passion, dedication, and leadership has inspired new generations of Canadian umpires to pursue their interest in umpiring through to their International ratings.
McIntyre’s contributions leave an indelible mark on the women’s lacrosse community.
Honours
• 2010 OLRA Life Membership
• 2010 OLRA Jane Acton Award
• 2010 OWFL Roots of the Game award
• 2013 – Molly McIntyre Spirit of Lacrosse Award was created to be presented annually by the Ontario Lacrosse Official’s Association to the women’s field official who has earned the respect of peers through excellence on the field, service to the game, and mentorship of fellow officials over the course of the season.
Bill “Foxy” Fox – Officials Category
Bill Fox’s lacrosse career is a remarkable tale of dedication, excellence, and leadership, spanning multiple facets of the sport from player to coach to esteemed official. His journey began on the fields of his hometown, where he showcased his talent as a box and field lacrosse player, participating in numerous provincial and national championships, including the 1980 Mann Cup with the Brampton Excelsiors. Beyond his playing days, Fox transitioned seamlessly into coaching, sharing his expertise and passion for the game with the next generation of lacrosse players.
However, it was in the realm of officiating where Fox truly left an indelible mark. Over four decades, he distinguished himself as one of the finest officials in lacrosse history, with an extensive resume that included induction into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame in 2021, receiving the prestigious Allen G. Rae Builder Award from Sports Officials Canada in 2010, and his induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in in the Officials category in 2022.
Fox’s impact as a builder extended far and wide as he played a pivotal role in shaping lacrosse officiating on both the national and international stages. As a co-founder of the International Lacrosse Federation Referees Association, he helped establish standards of excellence for officials worldwide, while also serving in leadership roles the Ontario Lacrosse Referees Association and the CLA Board of Officials. His efforts in recruiting and training Canadian and American referees for the Major Indoor Lacrosse League/National Lacrosse League further solidified his reputation as a visionary leader in the sport.
Throughout his illustrious career, Fox’s impact was felt not only on the field but also in the hearts and minds of those he mentored. Colleagues and peers alike lauded his selflessness, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to the game of lacrosse.
Frank Lawrence – Officials Category
Frank Lawrence’s commitment to developing referees for both box and field lacrosse is unparalleled, underscoring his status as a true builder and ambassador for the sport. He has dedicated over three decades to the game of lacrosse and his extensive involvement spans various roles, from on-floor game official to Referee-In-Chief and Supervisor, shaping the standards of officiating not only in Ontario but also at the national and international levels.
Over the years, Lawrence has officiated thousands of box and field lacrosse games, earning a reputation as one of the most reliable and respected referees in the sport. Despite facing adversity and challenges along the way, Lawrence’s resilience and determination have never wavered.
Over his illustrious career Lawrence has been recognized with numerous honours including:
• 1999 Jack Mann Award for dedicated work in the game of lacrosse, both on and off the floor, helping with program development
• 2011 Gerry Ravary Award for dedication to the game of lacrosse
• 2013 CLA Award for Outstanding Support and Contribution to the game of Lacrosse
• 2015 First ever recipient of the Graham Lester Spirit of Lacrosse Award
• 2018 Thomas “Tip” Teather Award given to the individual who has contributed the most to lacrosse
• 2018 President’s Award for service and commitment to the game of Lacrosse in Ontario
• 2022 Induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Officials category.
Frank’s unwavering commitment to the game, coupled with his expertise and leadership, have cemented his legacy as a respected figure in the lacrosse community, inspiring countless individuals along the way.
Allen “Arbor” Diabo – Special Contributor Category
Allen “Arbor” Diabo’s lacrosse career spans over three decades and encompasses various roles as a player, coach, manager, and builder, leaving an indelible mark on the sport within the Kahnawake community, and beyond.
Diabo began his lacrosse journey as a player for the Kahnawake Mohawks Senior B team in the 1980s, showcasing his skills and contributing to the team’s success. Despite his short-lived lacrosse career due to military service with the United States Marine Corps, Diabo’s passion for the sport remained unwavering.
Diabo transitioned into coaching in 1992, leading the Kahnawake Minor Lacrosse teams before taking on more significant roles in Junior and Masters lacrosse. His coaching achievements include leading the Kahnawake Juniors to a perfect 21-0 record and winning the Quebec Junior Lacrosse League Championship in 2005.
Beyond coaching, Diabo made significant contributions as a builder within the lacrosse community, as the Chair of the Kahnawake Hall of Fame Committee from 2004 to 2016, playing a vital role in preserving and honoring the lacrosse heritage of the community. Diabo’s dedication and commitment to lacrosse extended beyond his own community, as he provided counsel and support to neighbouring Iroquoian communities in developing and managing their lacrosse programs.
Allen “Arbor” Diabo’s multifaceted involvement in lacrosse serves as a testament to the enduring impact of individuals who devote their lives to the advancement of the sport they love.