| Category: | Builder (Sport Historian) |
| Sport(s): | All |
| Years Active: | 1970-2000 |
| Year Inducted: | 2012 |
A celebrated raconteur, educator, colleague and leader, Sandy Young was known for his exceptional personality and support of Nova Scotian sport.
Born in New York City and educated in Pennsylvania and Maryland, Sandy moved to Nova Scotia in 1970 and never looked back. A professor for Dalhousie’s School of Physical Education, now the School of Health and Human Performance, Sandy’s excitement for athletics was contagious for anyone he spoke with.
Sandy’s passion for sports began in his childhood. He played basketball and football through high school and university and continued to play basketball as a regular at Dalhousie’s noon hoops for over 25 years. His other great passion was for salmon fishing, but in general he was interested in any high level sport.
His desire to share sports stories with the world came from his children. One of Sandy’s daughters, Nicole, was playing for the Nova Scotia provincial team and remembers telling Sandy that Nova Scotia could never compete with other provincial teams. He became determined to dig up Nova Scotian sport history to prove that Nova Scotians could compete and to inspire his children and others.
His research led to the publication of Beyond Heroes, a two-volume history of Nova Scotia sport. This work has been monumental in the history of Nova Scotian sport as these books display Nova Scotia’s rich sports history that will inspire others for years to come.
Sandy led the way for many sports advocacy initiatives including the foundation of the Dalhousie Award, which was later renamed the A.J. Sandy Young Award, and is presented annually to an individual who has greatly contributed to sport in Nova Scotia. He was also known for his encouragement of young athletes and played a large role in establishing the Nova Scotia Sports Heritage Centre.
A superior researcher and inspired speaker, Sandy was the presenter for Nova Scotia Hall of Fame inductions for over 15 years. His sense of humor exemplified his motto, “who wants the truth if it is boring?” In 2002 the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame inducted Sandy as a builder.
In 2000 Sandy succumbed to a two-year battle with cancer, however his message has lived on. He is survived by his four daughters; Gabrielle, Julie, Michelle and Nicole. They are unable to be here to celebrate Sandy’s legacy with us today, and have asked family friend Leslie Barnes to accept Sandy’s award on their behalf.