Hank Summers was a skilled athlete who grew up in St. John’s playing hockey and soccer with the Feildans during the 50’s and 60’s. However, it was in 1973, at which time he was a Sports Instructor with the 515 North Atlantic Air Cadet Squadron, the call had gone out for anyone interested in the sport of boxing to attend a meeting with the hope in mind to revive the sport of Amateur Boxing in our Province. Hank brought it to the attention of his young cadets to determine if indeed they might be interested in taking part in a boxing program. It was a no brainer and Hank attended the meeting that weekend to check it out. The meeting was a success and that same weekend those in attendance immediately elected an Executive and thus began the Newfoundland Amateur Boxing Association.
A friend of Hank’s, with another Air Cadet Squadron, was elected President and Hank was the elected Secretary/Treasurer. A short time later after that meeting, the elected President resigned as he had to move out of the province. Hank took over the Presidency of the Association and held the position for 17 years, at which time he was elected to the Executive Committee of Boxing Canada. Hank spent another 20 years on the Boxing Canada board, six of which he was President. During those 20 years he was also Canada’s representative on the Commonwealth Games of Canada Association for four years, and he also served as Treasurer of COPABOX, an Association responsible for Amateur Boxing in North and South America, for a four year term.
Throughout this entire duration of time, Hank set up the TRC Boxing Club, an extremely successful Club for boys and girls. Throughout the years athletes from the TRC Boxing Club have gone on to sports excellence and an estimated 800 to 1000 young boys and girls have passed through their doors.
During his 40 years with the sport of Amateur Boxing, Hank has attended just about every National Championship held in Canada. He has attended 10 Canada Winter Games as a Coach, a Manager, an Executive Committee member of Boxing Canada and as a NL Mission staff member. He has been Team Manager of Boxing Canada’s National Team at a Pan-Am Games, two Female World Championships, two World Under 19 Championships and the Olympic Games, plus numerous International competitions throughout the world.
In 1992 Hank was presented with the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada by Governor General Ramon Hnatyshyn, in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada. In 1998 Hank was inducted into the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame for his contribution to sport in the Coach/Builder category and in 2010 he was inducted into Boxing Canada’s Hall of Fame for his 20 years of service with the Associations Executive Committee.
Certainly a long and fascinating journey. For his outstanding contribution to our sport, Boxing Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to induct Hank Summers into out Hall of Fame for 2020 in the Coach/Administrator category.
