NTCI Notables

Category: Athletics

  • Ralph Scott McCreath

    Ralph Scott McCreath (1919–1997)

    • Lawyer • Skate Canada Hall of Fame Member
    • Class of 1938?

    Born on April 27, 1919, Ralph Scott McCreath grew up in Toronto’s Moore Park neighbourhood alongside his three siblings. As a student at North Toronto Collegiate, he quickly distinguished himself as a talented multi-sport athlete, though it was on the ice where he truly excelled. A dedicated member of the Toronto Skating Club, Ralph demonstrated early promise, earning four medals in the junior men’s and pairs events at the 1935 Canadian Championships.

    Between 1936 and 1941, McCreath’s skating career flourished as he captured an impressive twenty-four medals across Canadian and North American Championships, including several golds. His success earned him a place on Canada’s Olympic team for the 1940 Winter Games, though the competition was ultimately cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II. Undeterred, Ralph continued to compete, winning gold at the 1941 North American Championships and coming close to receiving the prestigious Lou Marsh Trophy that same year.

    In 1940, he enlisted in the 48th Highlanders of Canada, serving overseas in England, France, and North Africa. Rising to the rank of Major in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, McCreath balanced military service with his athletic pursuits. Following the war, he returned to competitive skating and claimed his third and final Canadian senior men’s title in 1946.

    After earning his law degree from Osgoode Hall in 1949, Ralph built a successful career in corporate law while raising four children with his wife, Myrtle. His passion for skating endured well beyond his competitive years. He served as a judge for Canada at three Olympic Games and numerous World Championships, and contributed significantly to the sport’s development through roles with the Canadian Figure Skating Association, the Olympic Trust, and the Canadian Olympic Endowment Fund.

    In recognition of his lasting impact, McCreath was inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame in 1994. He passed away on May 2, 1997, at the age of 78, remembered as both a decorated athlete and a devoted contributor to Canadian sport.

  • Dr. Ron Wesley Taylor

    Dr. Ron Wesley Taylor (1937–2025)

    • Professional Athlete • Physician • Engineer
    • Class of 1957

    Dr. Ron Taylor was a truly unique individual whose life followed two extraordinary and distinct paths. While a student at NT, his prowess on the pitcher’s mound for the Leaside Baseball Association attracted the attention of the Cleveland Indians. He graduated in 1957 with a rare arrangement: he would play professional baseball in the summers while pursuing an Electrical Engineering degree at the University of Toronto in the off-seasons.

    Despite graduating 5th in his engineering class in 1961 with 17 corporate job offers, Taylor followed his heart to the Major Leagues. His 11-season MLB career was highlighted by two World Series championships: first with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964, and later with the famous 1969 “Miracle Mets,” where he played a crucial role as a relief pitcher.

    During a USO goodwill tour to Vietnam, Taylor was inspired to make a dramatic career pivot. At age 30, following his baseball retirement, he returned to U of T to tackle a grueling pre-med schedule. He graduated from medicine in 1977, the oldest student in his class. He eventually combined his two passions by serving as the Toronto Blue Jays team physician for 35 years. A member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, and the Order of Ontario, Ron is remembered as a quiet man with a dry wit and an awe-inspiring legacy of success.

  • Roger Paul Neilson

    Roger Paul Neilson (1937–2003)

    • Hockey Coach • Innovator • Educator
    • Class of 1955

    Born in Toronto, Roger Neilson’s coaching journey began early.  He started coaching in his first year at McMaster University and continued until his graduation, earning a degree in Physical Education. A natural teacher with a deep respect for the rulebook, Neilson became famous for spotting tiny loopholes others missed and for pioneering video analysis in hockey, earning the enduring nickname “Captain Video.” More than tactics, he believed in building disciplined, resilient teams, often finding success with rosters others overlooked.

    After university, Neilson coached youth hockey and minor league baseball, then stepped into the OHL in 1966 as head coach of the Peterborough Petes, guiding the club for a decade and establishing his reputation as a master developer of young talent. A brief stop in minor pro hockey followed before his NHL breakthrough in 1977–78 as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Over the next two decades, he coached eight more NHL teams, including the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators. In the summers, he ran youth hockey camps through the University of Windsor, sharing the game with kids from Ontario to Israel.

    Diagnosed with cancer in 2000, Neilson stepped back briefly, then returned to the bench with characteristic grit. Before his death Roger was awarded a Doctor of Laws (McMaster University, 2001), inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a Builder (2002) and appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (2002). His legacy and commitment to hockey lives on through initiatives in the NHL and beyond including “Roger Neilson Elementary School” (Peterborough, 2004), named in recognition of his commitment to teaching and Ottawa’s “Roger Neilson House” (2006), a paediatric palliative care facility built in his memory.

  • Ian Macdonald

    Ian Macdonald (1929 – )

    • Economist • Academic Leader • Rhodes Scholar
    • Class of 1948

    Ian Macdonald’s career spans academia, government, and community leadership, earning him recognition as one of Canada’s most accomplished economists and higher education figures. A proud graduate of North Toronto C.I., he excelled in academics and sports, particularly ice hockey and track and field. After completing undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, he earned a Rhodes Scholarship and studied at University of Oxford, continuing to compete in varsity sports. 

    Macdonald began his academic career as a professor of economics at U of T and served as Dean of Men at University College. He then entered public service in Ontario, holding roles including Chief Economist, Deputy Treasurer, and Minister of Economics and Intergovernmental Affairs. In 1974, he became president of York University, leading the institution for over a decade with distinction. He now holds the title of President Emeritus, continuing as a professor of public policy and economics and directing the Master of Public Administration program.

    Beyond academia, Macdonald has contributed to numerous organizations, including the Canadian Rhodes Scholars Foundation, the International Association of Universities, Hockey Canada (as Chair, 1987–1994), and the Canadian Olympic Association. His lifelong commitment to sports includes playing on the U of T and Oxford hockey teams and participating in York’s faculty team for over 45 years.

    Macdonald’s many honours include the Governor General’s Medal, the Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilee Medals, the Officer of the Order of Canada, the Vanier Medal, and recognition from the Dominican Republic. In 2005, the Government of Ontario created the H. Ian Macdonald Visiting Economist position in the Ministry of Finance, and York University awarded him the George Tatham Award for lifetime teaching excellence which is a testament to a career of leadership, scholarship, and enduring service.