Lisa O' Kane wins Al Brennan Memorial Trophy
Lisa O’Kane has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Al Brennan Memorial Trophy as the Coach of the Year, as chosen by the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame Sports Awards Selection Committee.
The Al Brennan Memorial Trophy is an annual award presented by the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame to recognize the Coach of the Year. It honours individuals for their dedication, passion, and profound impact on athletes and the local sports community in North Bay.
O’Kane’s impact on sport in the North Bay community spans decades, highlighted by her ongoing leadership and dedication to Special Olympics programming at the local, provincial and national levels.
In 2025, O’Kane served as a coach in multiple Special Olympics disciplines, including floorball, snowshoeing, and athletics, where she coached two teams in both snowshoeing and athletics. She was also named Head Coach for Team Northeastern Ontario in athletics at the Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Summer Games in Brantford.
Her leadership has extended beyond coaching duties. O’Kane was selected as Mission Staff for Team Ontario at the 2025 Special Olympics Canada National Summer Games in Medicine Hat and was named a member of the Games Management Team responsible for volunteers for the 2027 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Winter Games.
She also serves as Race Director for the Home Town Run for Youth in support of Special Olympics and continues to contribute as a member of both the Near North Special Olympics Board of Directors and the Special Olympics North Bay Board of Directors.
Committed to developing the next generation of coaches, O’Kane is a Learning Facilitator for the Special Olympics Canada Competition Coach Course, mentoring and training new coaches entering the program.
Her coaching resume also includes national-level experience with Team Ontario, serving as a coach at the Special Olympics Canada National Games in Antigonish and as a family liaison at the National Games in Calgary. Earlier in her career, O’Kane coached athletics, girls hockey, volleyball and track and field while working as an educator.
Following her involvement as a volunteer at the 2015 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Winter Games, O’Kane transitioned her focus to Special Olympics coaching, where she has since become a passionate advocate for inclusive sport. During her tenure as a school principal, she championed the expansion of Special Olympics school programming, ensuring opportunities for student-athletes in every school she led.
A lifelong participant in sport herself, O’Kane competed in track and field with Chippewa Secondary School and the North Bay Legion Track Club, qualifying for the OFSAA championships on five occasions. Raised in a family that valued sport and community involvement — inspired in part by a father who dedicated countless years to coaching — O’Kane continues to give back through her leadership and mentorship.
She credits the ongoing support of her husband and children for allowing her to dedicate the time required to work with and support the athletes who remain at the centre of her coaching career.
O'Kane will receive their award at the 45th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on Saturday, May 2, at the Davedi Club. Tickets can be purchased through Larry Tougas at 705-303-8104. Tickets are also available at the Davedi Club by calling 705-474-4190. Tickets are $65.
