The Kane Godwin Award

Kane Godwin was an outstanding athlete – he could play any sport well, but chose baseball, where he excelled as a catcher with the London Majors baseball club. To keep himself in shape and active in the off-season, Kane joined the London Board of Basketball Officials. In his first year as a basketball official, it was apparent that Kane had all the tools to be a successful basketball official.

Unfortunately, shortly after joining LBBO, Kane died in an automobile accident. To honour the memory of Kane Godwin, LBBO established a “Rookie of the Year” award in his name to recognize an outstanding first year official who demonstrated the same set of skills that Kane brought to officiating in his first year with LBBO.

Above: Giles Phillion & Jemma Martin receive the 2023 rookie of the year award from Gary Schauer and Ted Grys (R)

Above: Ben Phay(Centre) receives the 2019 Kane Godwin Award from Peter Malcolmson(L) and Ted Grys (R)

2017 Winner Kevin Wilson

2015 Winner Mike Hegarty (Presenters Ron Earnshaw, Pat Kenny, Brandon Tingley)

Past Recipients:

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006   2007 2008   2009 2010 2011   2012 2013   2014 2015 2016   2017 2018 2019

Dave McKerlie Bill Smith Dave Stevens Mike Goble Jennifer Hyatt John Jasica Bob Kuiper Shane Binns Greg Fletcher Mike Nason Brock Orton Maureen Pratt Chad Cowan Nick Snow none Mike McCormack Trevor Hall Dane Rice Don Coatsworth Tyler Cheng and Phil Swan Mike Choja Rob Brandl and Matt Spencer Kevin Turcott Rachel Fradgley, Brandon Tingley Dan Binnington Cheryl Grant, Donovan Thomas Chad Gale Mike Hegarty Rylie Grogan and Matthew Hartman Kevin Wilson Adam Mummery Ben Phay