Charles Maxwell
Referee & Umpire
The Special Achievement recognizes a person who over a number of years has made significant contribution to sports beyond athletic endeavours, ie: Media, coach, official, trainer etc.
Charles Maxwell officiating began in 1968 as a volunteer umpire for SMAA fastball and high school basketball. Mr. Maxwell umpiring spanned over a total of 44 years in Men’s, Ladies and Minor baseball, fastball, two pitch. He has umpired many distinguished games that included the Men’s Senior “A” Fastball in the Canadian Finals, Ladies Senior Fastball in the Ontario Finals. He also traveled to the USA to umpire girls’ fastball. He has volunteered his time as an assignor the SMAA, Michitario, Local Tournaments and Summer Games. In 1970 Mr Maxwell instigated the merging of two umpire association into one forming the Sarnia Umpires Association with membership increasing from 20 umpires to 60 in two years.
In 1970 Mr Maxwell became a Minor Hockey referee and refereed hockey for 26 years.
In 1972 Mr Maxwell took on the duties as assignor for Minor Hockey Leagues in Sarnia, Clearwater and Point Edward. He also took over assigning referees for Men’s Hockey Leagues and at one point was assigning for 27 leagues. He also volunteered his services to Silver Stick in Petrolia, Watford and Forest, Sarnia and Port Huron. In total he was a hockey assignor for 18 years.
Also in 1970 he began a 10 year career in broomball as an assignor and referee. He refereed All Ontario Final games for both men and women.
During the years Mr. Maxwell also played, coached and managed teams in several sports. He played hockey in the Sportsman League, Esso League and the Oldtimers League. He played, coached and managed in the Town and Country Fastball League and played in the Esso Fastball League, Industrial Fastball League and Church League. He also bowled for 40 years. Golfed and in 1961 he began curling and continues to do so today. Mr Maxwell also volunteered his time running bingos for several clubs and organizations.
