OLA 2013 Hall of Fame Induction of Three Native Sons

Submitted by Rusty Doxtdator, 2nd Vice Chair, Akwesasne Lacrosse Hall of Fame Committee

The Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame added three more Native Sons into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame as part of the OLA Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony, Saturday November 2nd, 2013 at the Marriott Fallsview in Niagara Falls.

In the Player Category, Barry Alfred and Travis Solomon were honored, with Randall 'Man' Jacobs being added in the Builder Category.

Barry's playing record speaks volumes of the athlete and fierce competitor he was reputed for within the boards. Having been Provincially Recognized as Top Player of Quebec in the late 70's, to being bestowed with the Most Valuable Player Award numerous times while earning Multiple Leading Scorer Awards, Barry showed how to get the job done.

In Barry's acceptance speech, he received an overwhelming applause when identifying that in his opinion he believes, 'Lacrosse to be the Greatest Game on Earth'. Then Barry introduced his Mom who got escorted to the podium by her grandson to stand with her son who announced that Saturday was also her 80th birthday, where MC Chuck Miller led in singing Happy Birthday to her.

Also in the Player Category, Travis Solomon received a posthumous induction. With a 30 year lacrosse career that ranged from local community lacrosse to guarding the mesh in World Championship play, Travis stood his ground backstopping many a team of both Field and Box categories to Championship status. Starting as a goalie at Lafayette High School, Travis continued his backstopping duties at Cobleskill Jr. College, then moved on to Syracuse University as an NCAA Division I goalie. After graduation Travis joined many senior box teams which included the Onondaga Athletics, Akwesasne Thunder, Valleyfield Dynomites, Akwesasne Outlaws and eventually the Kahnawake Chiefs in the Masters Division.

Travis was a member of the 1983 NCAA Championship at Syracuse University and the 1997 Presidents Cup with the Akwesasne Thunder. Travis was bestowed with the honor of All American in 1982 & 1983 along with receiving the Top Goalie award in 1984 at the Summer Olympics in Los Angles as a member of the Iroquois Nationals, then continued in a Goodwill Tour in 1985 to Manchester, England, World Lacrosse Invitational in 1986 in Buffalo N.Y., World Lacrosse Championship in 1990 and in 2006 in Perth, Australia and London Ontario respectively. In Travis's final year with the Iroquois Nationals he was recognized as the Festival Team MVP Goalie at the age of 46.

Debbie Solomon accepted Travis's Induction trophy with her grandson who addressed the audience stating how proud and honored he is of his grandfather who has inspired him to be the best at what he does.

For the Builder Category, Randall 'Man' Jacobs received a posthumous induction. Randall became a trainer at the age of 21 and pursued this passion for 38 years. He utilized his skills for many teams year round both in lacrosse and hockey. He was passionate of the game of lacrosse and provided athletic training to hundreds of people for three and a half decades. "Man" thoroughly knew the game of lacrosse as well as looking after players' physical well being. He was considered a mentor by many players associated with him. Randall trained for a number of teams, notably the Akwesasne Warriors, Akwesasne Outlaws, Jr. B. Lightning, Jr. A Indians, Thunderbirds, the Akwesasne Attack along with many minor teams. His love of looking after injuries provided inspiration to his daughter Tisha who is a registered nurse in Canada and trained under her father. Through him she is an active leader in providing field lacrosse to both boys and girls. His love of the game knew no boundaries and he insisted that he and his bride had to attend a lacrosse game on their wedding night. Even on the day he passed Randall had to watch his grandson Rhoades Tarbell play varsity lacrosse for his Massena Central High school.

Surrounded by her family, Rosalie accepted Man's Induction trophy to the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.