Ron Loftus - Record Detail

Ron Loftus. - July 30, 2003.


Part Of:New Westminster Museum and Archives oral history collection  [Description]
Description Level Item
Series No. B
Item No. 14
Date Range July 30, 2003
Title Source Title based on content of item.
Physical Description 1 sound recording ( 51 min., 21 sec.) : digital (mp3)
History/Biographical Ronald (Ron) Owen Loftus was born July 13th 1938 in Bralorne, British Columbia. Ron moved to New Westminster with his family as a small child (3 or 4 years old). Ron played soccer, hockey, and lacrosse growing up. Ron played in the Minor Soccer League and later played for the Westminster Legion. He was called up to play for the Royals soccer team, however, he chose to play lacrosse for the Salmonbellies instead. During his time with the Salmonbellies he and his team won 2 Mann Cups (1962, 1965). Ron was also very active in coaching boys' hockey and lacrosse. Ron helped organize box hockey in Canada and was president of the league as well as a coach for his team, the Hume Hornets. Ron also played hockey until his 40s. Ron worked for the Columbian and the Vancouver Sun as a reporter for over 40 years. Ron was 65 at the time of this interview.
Scope & Content This audio recording features Ron Loftus's experiences as a soccer and lacrosse player. The recording covers his experiences as a lacrosse player for the Salmonbellies, as well as, other experiences related to his involvement with lacrosse, soccer, and hockey. It has been divided into 5 tracks.

1. The start of the recording to minute 9: It covers some biographical details. He speaks about playing lacrosse, soccer, and hockey as a child. He speaks in detail about his career as a lacrosse player and winning two Mann Cups with the Salmonbellies. He also describes Queen's Park Arena and the other facilities he used to play at.

2. Minutes 9 to 20: Ron speaks about his soccer career. He talks about why he decided to play lacrosse with the Salmonbellies instead of playing soccer for the Royals. He speaks in detail about starting the first box hockey league in Canada and his team, the Hume Hornets. He gives a detailed description of the league and the years he was involved with the league. Ron also describes his coaching experiences. He discusses coaching minor soccer in the 1960s and coaching senior B lacrosse and coaching minor hockey. He describes the pressures of coaching and the problems that parents created. He tells some humorous stories about coaching novice hockey.

3. Minutes 20 to 31: Ron speaks about his career as a journalist for the Columbian and the Vancouver Sun. He talks about some of the events he covered over the years and some memorable experiences working and playing lacrosse at the same time. He describes growing up in New Westminster and how sports were a major part of his childhood. He also talks about some of the activities that he did as a child. Ron speaks about the crowds that use to come watch lacrosse and he speaks in detail about his impression of Jack Bionda and what it was like playing with him. He also starts to speak about the different rivalries that the Salmonbellies were a part of.

4. Minutes 31 to 42: Ron continues his conversation about the rivalries that the Salmonbellies were a part of and speaks about how the crowds used to get into these rivalries as well. Ron describes the Salmonbellies 1962 playoff series. He explains the game of lacrosse and speaks about what he enjoyed most about sports including some more memorable experiences from playing and coaching.

5. Minute 42 to the end of the recording: Ron describes some of the players and coaches he played with. He also speaks about his impression of other athletes from different sports from a journalistic point of view. Ron speaks about the impact of sports on his life as well as the friendships that he developed from sports. He speaks about how New Westminster needs a newspaper to help promote its sports community. Finally, Ron speaks about the culture of New Westminster and what New Westminster represents to him.
Access Restriction Access copy only available in MP3 format
Repro Restriction New Westminster Museum and Archives
Name Access Loftus, Ron
Subject Access Oral History | Sports
Record ID 42864
Comment on this record museum@newwestcity.ca