The Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame has announced Wednesday, two members of the Ticats family will be inducted on Wednesday October 25th, 2023 at the Michelangelo Events and Conference Centre.
Former Ticats offensive lineman Ellison Kelly and Caretaker Bob Young will be two of the five inductees in this year’s class.
Ellison Kelly was born in 1935 in Butler, Georgia and played his collegiate career for Michigan State. Following a stint with the New York Giants, Kelly, made his way to the CFL in 1960 to join the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Kelly usually played guard or tackle, but the versatile performer also provided depth at the defensive end and linebacker positions. Teammates recall him as being a tough, solid competitor, even when injured. During his 13-year career, Kelly never missed a game, playing 175 consecutive regular season contests. Kelly played from 1960 to 1970 with the Ticats and played in seven Grey Cups helping Hamilton win it three times,1963, 1965 and 1967. He is already in the HSHOF as part of that 1967 team. The Ticats legend was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1992. When his career was over Kelly settled in the Steel City. In 1998, the Tiger-Cats recognized the outstanding playing careers and service of Kelly and long-time friend and teammate Angelo Mosca. Both had their jersey numbers honoured in a banner-unveiling pregame ceremony at Ivor Wynne Stadium that season. Kelly’s number 54 will forever be prominently displayed on the Wall of Honour at Tim Hortons Field. He passed away in Hamilton in 2016
Caretaker Bob Young, born in Ancaster attended Trinity College School in Port Hope before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria College at the University of Toronto. Young became a successful technology entrepreneur and is the founder of Vernon Computer Rentals, Red Hat Inc. and Lulu Press Inc., among others. Young was introduced as the new owner and Caretaker of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club by the Canadian Football League October 7, 2003. Of his many accomplishments with the Tiger-Cats, the most significant was helping broker a deal for a new permanent home for the team. Young, who prefers to be called the team’s “Caretaker” rather than owner, brought back financial stability to the franchise. The success of that project resulted in the doors opening on the newly constructed Tim Hortons Field in September 2014. During his tenure as owner, the Ticats have made it to the Grey Cup four times and this year will host the CFL’s showcase game for the second time in four years. He also brought professional soccer to Hamilton as owner of Forge FC, a founding partner of the Canadian Premier League in 2019. Forge FC have captured the league title in 2019, 2020 and 2022. Caretaker Bob Young continues to own both franchises.
Other inductees for the 2023 class include: Dr. Melissa Tancredi, Jessica Rakoczy and Bob Hanley.