Hall of Fame
An outstanding personal athletic career that was joined by a life of great contributions to countless sports, had John V. Rabbitts elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame.
Known best as "J.V.R.", he started his long association with the Church Lads Brigade in 1923 and excelled in soccer, hockey, rowing, tennis, bowling, track and basketball. The highlight of his playing career came in 1934 when he captained the C.L.B. team that edged Holy Cross for the St. John´s soccer title.
A great statistician and sports promoter, he served on the executive, usually as secretary, of an unbelievable number of sports, first at the St. John´s level and, in a great many cases, at the provincial level.
It has been estimated that during his lifetime, John V. Rabbitts served faithfully more than 20 local and provincial sports groups.
In addition, he provided limitless media coverage for all kinds of sports. He collected an amazing amount of information and sports memorabilia that proved very valuable to the athletic history of the province.
For a lifetime of playing, organizing, promoting and recording numerous sports, John V. Rabbitts was inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame November 2, 1979.
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