HOF 2025

May 5, 2025
6 min read

This year we inducted five people and a business sponsor.

Volunteer HOF

Julia “Juju” MacMillan

Tonight, we are happy to recognize someone who has been a dedicated Simon volunteer for years, since she was a toddler really. She will tell you it’s one of her favorite weekends. It started out being a social thing, hanging out in the gym with her cousins but over time it became a volunteer opportunity this kid was quick to latch on to. If you attended any Simon games at MHS, you’d recognize her from working the door.

If there’s a basketball event happening, chances are she is there—working the door, helping out with the canteen, working the clock, or just helping to make sure everything runs smoothly. She has been a dedicated volunteer with the Simon Chaisson Basketball Tournament for as long as she was able. She also gives her time each week to the Junior Marauders camps, helping young players develop a love for the game.

But where she truly shines is as a student volunteer with the Memorial High School Unified Basketball Program. This is a program that brings MHS students together to help their fellow classmates learn the game and develop their social skills. This is one of her favorite parts of the week - she loves working with the Unified athletes, making sure everyone feels included, encouraged, and, most importantly, has fun. Two weeks ago MHS hosted a tournament bringing Unified students from other Cape Breton high schools together, an awesome way to celebrate these unique athletes and I know she loved helping host this event.

Off the basketball court, she is an active member of her school. She is involved with the MHS Gives for Good club and heads up the Environmental Club, always looking for ways to make a positive impact and make school more fun. When summer rolls around, you’ll find her at Sunrise Stable’s summer camps, combining two of her favorite things: helping others and spending time with the horses she loves so much.

She is also a hardworking student who manages to balance her school work with volunteering and her social life. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the court, or at the barn, she gives her best effort in everything she takes on.

Simply put, she is the kind of person who shows up, steps up, and makes a difference. Her kindness and dedication make her more than deserving of this honor.

So please join me in celebrating Julia MacMillan, our newest Hall of Fame inductee!.

Men’s 40+ HOF

Mathew Georghiou

Matthew Georghiou, aka Matt Hadjigeorhiou, aka the worm. A community-minded citizen that likes his annonimity, but finds ways to give back. He’s been part of the basketball community for many years. You can still find him scrimmaging at the French School throughout the week. His devotion to the game is still very strong. He’ll be the first player in the gym shooting around, and the last player to leave. I often see him shooting after the game, still trying to perfect his mid-range and floaters. Matty is the kind of guy that you want on your team, because he is a pest when you play against him. Everyone in this room that had the privilege to play basketball with him would know what I’m talking about. Some of his highlights:

Played in the late 80s, early 90s
Sydney Academy, grade 11 and 12
CBU
Technical University of NS, which later became DAL Engineering
5 time All Conference
Top Scorer in the league
MVP of the league
First ever recipient of the Rod Shoveller Memorial Award - For excellence in Academics, Athletics, Leadership, and Sportsmanship
University Athlete of the Year, playing both basketball and soccer
Played in every Simon Tournament

Men’s 39U HOF

Ryan Cordy

This person basketball journey began in elementary school. He was coached by his father, in Elementary and Jr High, and led SMJH to a Jr High “A” Championship. His father taught him the value of hard work, and the importance of team play—principles that would shape him into the all-around player he is today.

A versatile athlete, he can do it all—drive, pass, shoot , and play relentless defense. His hard work and skill have earned him numerous accolades throughout his basketball career, including Multiple High School Team MVP honors, League All-Star selections, and Male Athlete of the Year. He also led MHS to multiple High School League Championships and Tournament wins and went to Provincials every year he played in High School.

At the Simon tournament, he’s been the leader of the MHS championship teams. As team MHS Cordy's all-time leading scorer and a constant defensive force, he’s earned the Simon MVP and multiple Simon All-Star selections.

The Simon is more than just a tournament—it’s about promoting health, building and

maintaining friendships, uniting communities, and bringing out our competitive spirit. He embodies all of these values. He trains rigorously leading up to the event, ensuring our team does as well, never misses a meeting, and plays a key role in ensuring the Simon runs smoothly every year.

In fact, his home has become the unofficial headquarters of the Simon. It’s where everyone gathers, shares stories, and relives memories. He’s also excited to add “Simon Dad” to the list of his most exciting titles to receive.

His commitment, leadership, and love for the game capture exactly what the Simon is all about.

Women’s HOF

Luciann MacDonald

Graduated from RHS in 2007. Was an All Star in the high school league and received numerous awards. Played at CBU from 2007-2011. Won AUS Titles in 2009, 2010 & 2011. Volunteers and runs Small Ball at Riverside. As an Administrator at Le Centre scolaire Étoile de l’Acadie, she is highly involved in student life and activities through her volunteer efforts, the Acadian Games being just one of many.

Builder HOF

Jack MacNeil

He went to his first basketball camp at 7 with his 3 older sisters. Continued to attend local BB camps and several others at CBu, StFx and also Dal while attending school. Played basketball since grade 3. Rookie of the year at MHS. Many MVP awards.

His basketball was always with him when he hung out with his junior high friends. After finishing high school he coached the boys basketball team at TL Sullivan. Coached Memorial boys basketball for several years and brought the team to a successful win in the Regional competition….the last time Memorial had attained this pennant was the last year that his high school team had won it 10 years earlier.

He has coached at MHS for several years, I’ve the privilege of getting to know Jack on the court and on the greens. He’s a class-act, and one of the funniest guys I know. He’s a pillar in the basketball community and has been for many years.

His basketball sneakers have always been something that he had great pride in.

He has shown such respect for the kids he has coached up to and including them in his

wedding day celebrations!

Mr. triple threat from beyond the arc. He stood here a few years ago bestowing me with HOF honoree, and now I’m going to return the favor. His commitment to the Simon has been incredible. He’s been able to turn a profit every year since he’s taken over the duties as the Simon President. And this year saw the most teams ever to register, 43!! Jack, welcome to the club. This year’s Builder HOF inductee is Jack MacNeil!

Business Sponsor HOF

Island Suace Co.

This business was founded with the goal of creating great-tasting sauce and food condiments that enables consumers to enhance the flavor of their food and the enjoyment of their meals. Furthermore, the vision was to not only produce great products, but to cultivate a community that we can all be proud to call our own. The business’s creativity extended beyond the table. They put some videos together, called Sauce Talks, and they were very community-minded! I had the honour of playing basketball with and against the founder of this business. I can tell you that I wasn’t surprised to see the success of the company, knowing how he played basketball! He was fierce and never gave up, and played much bigger than his stature!

He took advantage of any opportunity to help support local community groups through his successful business. The Simon was one of these organizations that saw, first-hand, the generosity of the local business. He donated his special sauces as POG for every game, for a couple years, which about 60-70 games. I think he is pursuing a new venture in his life as he helps raise a family, but tonight, we’re honoring Kev T and Island Sauce Co. as the Simon HOF Business. Well done Kev T!