The Chatham Sports Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 inductees.
Three individuals and one team are joining the ranks after voting was completed by a Selection Committee of Honoured Members, former voting Members, and past Directors of the Hall.
Paul Allen is one of the inductees, being honoured as an Athlete Legend for his contributions throughout seven decades.
Allen was raised in Chatham, playing Squirt baseball. He helped his team win three Ontario Baseball Association championships and five consecutive Western County titles. He was also awarded MVP honours and batting championships.
Allen then went on to play with the London Majors in the Intercounty Baseball League for nine seasons. The Hall of Fame notes that he was a two-time league all-star and was consistently ranked among the league's top hitters, ultimately being named one of the Top 30 London Majors players of all time.
Allen is also accomplished in track and field and basketball.
He continues his passion through umpiring and refereeing hockey.
The Hall of Fame added that on top of his top-tier playing, he also wrote two books that discuss the history of baseball and sport in the region.
Max Allin is also being honoured by the Hall of Fame, being given the title of Athlete Modern.
Allin became well accomplished playing both football and basketball while attending Ursuline College Chatham. He was awarded the UCC Athlete of the Year three times, the Dave Allin Award as Kent basketball's Most Valuable Player, the Chatham-Kent Sports Network's Athlete of the Year in 2013, and earned league Offensive MVP honours in football.
While attending Wilfrid Laurier University, Allin continued to play basketball, earning four Ontario University Athletics All-Star selections, and was named a CIS Second Team All-Canadian in 2013.
The Hall of Fame added that in that same year, Allin also took home Laurier's Athlete of the Year, Team MVP honours twice and finished his career as the university's all-time leader in assists and rebounds.
Allin went on to play professional basketball with the Southern Peninsula Sharks in Australia. While playing there, he was recognized as the league's Defensive Player of the Year.
The last individual being inducted is Jason Chickowski. He is being recognized as a Builder.
Chickowski earned the honour by dedicating over 20 years to coaching, mentoring, volunteering, leading, and fundraising.
The Hall of Fame notes that he was the President of Chatham Minor Baseball for over 15 years. In this role, Chickowski helped the league grow, expanded opportunities for young athletes, and helped develop baseball facilities in Ontario.
Chickowski helped to develop nine projects that the Hall of Fame said paved the way for the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers.
In the past, he has been recognized for his ongoing dedication to youth athletes, being named the Chatham Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year back in 2008.
In the Team category, the Hall of Fame is inducting the 1972-73 Chatham Maroons.
The team were true underdogs, starting the season in last place. But they managed to turn that around after a 19-game unbeaten streak, winning second place in the Junior A league.
The Hall of Fame said they are not just remembered for the wins but also for the community pride they inspired.
Throughout their season, more than 3,000 people filled the Memorial Arena. Chatham-Kent rallied behind the team by closing businesses early and even dismissing school early so people could attend the games.
The Hall of Fame added that, even after more than 50 years, the team is one of the defining chapters in Chatham's hockey tradition.
The new inductees will be honoured at a dinner held by the Hall of Fame on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre.
