Wayne Brown and Lucie Carmichael accepted to ISF Hall of Fame
October 30, 2007
Manila, Philippines
FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE
October30th, 2007
WayneBrown and Lucie Carmichael accepted to ISF Hall of Fame
(Manila,Philippines) – Softball Canada is pleased to announce that two recent inducteesof the Softball Canada Hall of Fame have also been accepted into theInternational Softball Federation (ISF) Hall of Fame. Wayne Brown, inducted tothe Softball Canada Hall of Fame in 2006, and Lucie Carmichael, inducted in2005, were both voted into the ISF Hall of Fame, which recognizes people whohave contributed to the sport of softball on the international stage. The votetook place at the ISF Congress which is currently being held in Manila, in thePhilippines. The actual induction ceremony will take place in Canada at a laterdate.
Wayne Brown, a resident of Fredericton, New Brunswick, began his career as an umpirein 1969. In 1975, he made his first appearance as an umpire at the nationallevel, officiating games on the field for five consecutive years, beforesupervising 21 Canadian Championships, two Canada Games and also serving aschairman for the 1994 Senior Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championships. In1986, Wayne was promoted to Deputy Umpire in Chief (UIC) for Softball Canadabefore being named as the National Director of Umpires in 1994 - a reign thatlasted until 2004. In 1995, he was also named the ISF North AmericanRegional Umpire in Chief and held that title until 2005.
“Wayne Brown was a very vibrant leader who lived and breathed the sport ofsoftball” noted Softball Canada President Kevin Quinn. “He was the consummatevolunteer who believed it was extremely important to always treat volunteerswith the utmost of respect.”
In addition to all his work at the national level, Wayne also represented hiscountry on the international stage, serving as an on-field umpire at the 1989ISF Junior Men’s World Championships and the 1993 Maccabiah Games in Israel. Healso served as Deputy Umpire in Chief for the 1999 and 2002 Men’s Pan AmericanChampionships, the 1997 ISF Junior Men’s World Championships, the 2001 Women’sPan American Championships and the 2002 ISF Women’s World Championships.
“Wayne made decisions by consensus and he and his ODC made some very important policychanges during his tenure as the National Director of Officials for Canada”added Quinn. “He was a fantastic people person with outstanding communicationskills, and used those skills to involve all members of the OfficiatingDevelopment Committee (ODC), Provincial/Territorial UICs and Level 5 umpires indriving some major changes in our officials program which has made it a leaderaround the world today.”
Wayne's contributions to umpiring extend beyond the actual ball diamond. He isresponsible for the implementation of the Level 4 certification program, therestructuring of the Mechanics School, the creation of "Between theLines" and the "Canadian Indicator" newsletters. He isalso responsible for the launch of the "Blue Convention", the"Umpire of the Year" Award and the creation of the Instructor /Evaluators Clinic.
Lucie Carmichael, born in Quebec City, was first involved in ball as a coach of aminor baseball team and also began to officiate in soccer and baseball. Shebegan to officiate Fast pitch in 1982 in Junior leagues and Senior men's. Sheparticipated in many competitions at the Provincial, National and Internationallevels, which led to receiving her International certification in 1993.
“Lucie Carmichaelis small in stature but big in heart” said Quinn of Carmichael. “She is atremendous on field official as well as a very strong administrative leader.”
Lucie served on the Provincial Officiating Development Committee until she becameProvincial Umpire-in-Chief in 1997. She later became a member of SoftballCanada's National Umpire Committee from 1998 to 2000. Lucie participatedin many umpiring clinics as an instructor at the regional, provincial andnational levels as well as south of the border in the United States. Sheserved as Umpire-in-Chief and Deputy Umpire-in-Chief at many provincial andnational events. She attended the Blue Convention as a Guest Speaker in1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003. She also conducted presentations at theNational level on the status of women in officiating, in order to bring advancefemale participation in officiating.
“Lucie played avery important role on the Softball Canada ODC while she was a member there”continued Quinn. “She has also played a major role in the growth ofofficiating in the province of Quebec. Lucie is a great role model, not onlyfor female officials, but for all officials in general. She leads byexample in everything she does and is made of strong ethical and moralcharacter. Lucie is highly respected by not only the officials community, butby athletes and coaches as well.”
In 1996, Lucie’s ultimate goal was reached when she was nominated to umpire at theOlympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Lucie gained international recognition,earning the honour of being chosen as home plate umpire for the gold medalgame. Lucie has made a notable contribution to the development of umpiring inCanada as well as achieving many international goals.
SoftballCanada would like to congratulate Wayne Brown and Lucie Carmichael on theirinduction into the prestigious ISF Hall of Fame.
“Ido not know of any two other individuals who deserve this honour more thanLucie and Wayne” added Bob Stanton, National Director of Umpires. “Both havemade outstanding contributions to umpiring, on and off the field in Canada andaround the world.”
Formore information, please contact:
GillesLeBlanc
Manager– Marketing and Communications Services
SoftballCanada
(613)523-3386 ext. 3105
