Boomer Harding was an
extraordinarily talented, all round athlete who excelled
at baseball, hockey, soccer, and softball. Unfortunately,
being born in 1915, he participated at a time when Blacks
were not readily accepted. He faced prejudice head on and
won the respect and friendship of many of his team mates,
opponents, and sports fans across Ontario. Many believe
that, if the time had been right, Boomer could have
competed at a major league level in either baseball or
hockey. For 50 years he participated at a very high level
in a wide variety of sports and left a legacy of courage,
pride, determination, and sportsmanship.
In 1988 "Boomer" was awarded an Olympic Gold
Achievement Medal in honour of his Fifty-five Years of
Sport Achievements. This medal was given in celebration
of the 1988 Calgary Olympics and only eighteen Canadians
were so honoured.
Baseball
- 1933
- At age 17 and continuing for over 20 years, starred for
teams in Chatham and Kingston and regularly competed for
district and provincial championships
- 1934
- He played the Chatham Coloured All Stars who were
OBA Intermediate "B" Champions
- 1939
- Coloured All Stars who were OBA Intermediate "N'
Championship finalists,
- 1948
- Chatham Hadley Lumber team who were OBA Intermediate
"X' Champions
- 1957
- Blenheim Braves who were OBA Intermediate "C"
Championship finalists
Hockey
- 1931
- Beginning in high school and continuing for over
20 years, starred for teams in Chatham, London, and
Kingston and competed for district and provincial
championships
- 1934-35 and 1935-36
- Chatham Vocational School who were two-time WOSSAA
Champions
- 1943-44
- London Army team that won the OHA Intermediate "X'
Championship
- 1945-46
- Canadian Army Group "D" Red Wings that toured
Scotland
- Petrolia Oiler's who were OHA Championship finalists
- 1946-47
- Windsor Stafford's of the International Amateur Hockey
League where he became the first Black player to play at
the Detroit Olympia
- 1950
- Chatham Gold's who regularly competed for ORA
Championships
Soccer
1933 and continuing for over 20 years, starred for
teams representing Chatham at various levels of
competition; most notably were the 1933 Chatham
Vocational School who were WOSSAA Champions; the 1947 Br.
28 Legion who were Ontario Champions; and, the 1949 Br. 28
Legion Ontario Championship finalists.
Miscellaneous Sports
Track and field: 1929 KSSAA Jr. Boys Champion; 1934
KSSAA Sr. Boys Champion; 1944 Army Championship of Canada.
He competed in 100 yards, pole vault (second place), and 4x100 yard relay (first place).
Team won overall
championship.
Softball: Competed from 1930 to 1955
Basketball: 1944 played for Vimy Signals, District
Champions
Bowling: 3 game total of 661 including 2 singles of
231 and 277
Darts:1962-1988 competed for
BR.28 Legion in Open and
Legion competitions consistently placing in the top 3 in
many singles, doubles, and team matches; in 1975 placed
second in Canadian National Open Darts Tournament. |
