In the second of our series of “Lacrosse Heroes”, I decided to keep with the goalie theme and asked for some question and answer time from #41. Anyone who has followed lacrosse over the last 20-30 years knows who # 41 is. I’m speaking of course of Hall of Fame goaltender, known best for his days with the Brooklin Redmen, Wayne Colley. In a career spanning some 17 years, Wayne has certainly left his name synonymous with lacrosse goaltending. His countless championships and awards are too many to mention. However, more importantly, to this day Wayne is still giving back to the game he once excelled at by helping kids learn and prepare for the position, in addition to coaching.
On a personal note I remember watching Wayne play both in Whitby (you’ll see the old CBC Builders jersey in the picture) and Brooklin….and for my money there was nobody better at the position. Wayne was a hero to many a kid, especially those that played the position. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with him and hope you enjoy his comments.
GM: What age did you start playing in goal and who got you into the net?
WC: Well it was novice when I first started playing out as a “sniper” but our goalie at that time went on vacation at play-off time and I was a “little” over weight and guess what. We won the all Ontario’s in “D” division. Not because of me. LLoyd Gibson started me in lacrosse and what a man he was. Jack MacDonald was my first coach who talked me into playing goal and he was very patient with me.
GM: You started playing Junior A lacrosse in 1974, and in 1978 scored a goal. Describe if you can, how that happened.
WC:Back then the goalies stopped the ball and started to run with it so someone would come and get you to create the odd man. It was different back then than today. When I looked up floor the other goalie thought they had the delayed penalty but it was us and I had the empty net to shoot at. I think I picked the top hand corner?
GM: Is there any significance to the number 41 you wore in goal?
WC: Ya for sure. My first year of junior I wore # 4 for the Oshawa Green Gaels as that was the only large sweater left. My best friend John MacDonald and I got in a car accident and he wore # 14 . He was buried with his lacrosse stick and wearing # 14 which to this day is retired for the Green Gaels. When I got back to Whitby Junior “A”, I reversed the numbers to 41 as 14 was taken. That still to this day is my favourite number. A lot of people have followed my foot steps with this number but don’t know the background till now.
GM: In all of your years of playing you played with some greats. Can you name 2 or 3 that stick out in your mind as the best players?
WC: Wow I played with, against and seen a lot of great players. Bob Burke, Stan Cockerton, the Gait twins, Cam Devine, J. J. Johnson, Phil Scarfone, my brother Ken and a whole bunch out west. I could not pin down a couple. My all time favourite is Terry Bullen. Not sure why though I loved the way he played.
GM: What opponent (or 2) did you fear most shooting on you?
WC: Can’t think of any one right now. Could that hurt me?
GM: Describe the 1985 comeback out in British Columbia where you were down 3-0 in games and won the Mann Cup; what happened?
WC: Well I was away at a very difficult time in my life and at home in Ontario was my wife waiting for a new born. When we were down 3-0 my new daughter Jamie-Lee was born. After a couple of beers on our off day and maybe a bit longer (you might nail down the time with coach Peter Vipond). I told the press and everyone else “WE” will come back to win four straight. The rest made history. (Vipond was not mad at me anymore after that)
GM: Like so many other players, you began to Coach after your playing days came to an end. Describe how any of your Coaches influenced the way you Coach.
WC: All of them. I played for some great coaches. I took something from each one of them. Ron Pither, Jim Hinkson, Jim and Butch Brady, Elmer Tran, Bob Hanna and my favorite Peter Vipond.
GM: You’ve won a Founders Cup, Field and Box Provincials, 4 Mann Cups, you are in the OLA Hall of Fame (1999), CLA Hall of Fame (2006), Whitby Sports Hall of Fame (2004), and have so many other accomplishments. If you could pick one lacrosse award or accomplishment you are most proud of, what would it be?
WC: Well to be very honest, just knowing that I put something back into the game of lacrosse is enough for me. I kept many a kid off the street and out of trouble. I met a lot of friends along the way and that in itself is more than any award did for me, and trust me I have lots. Just the memories.
GM: What do you think of the game today; whether it is the NLL, Major Series Lacrosse, or Junior Lacrosse?
WC: Well old time lacrosse is 100 times better than today. You don’t have to wear any equipment or see any one get involved like in the past. Run off and on the floor? I don’t like it at all.
GM: Give us your all-time Power Play set up using any players past or present.
WC: Well I know I will miss someone but these are the ones I can think of right now. In Goal – Pat Baker, on left crease JJ Johnson, left shooter one of the Gaits and point the other Gait. On the right side crease Adam Oates and shooter Phil Scarfone. I got no place for Joe Nieuwendyk but he could be the water boy like I remembered him years ago. There are a lot of others for sure!
GM: Wayne, this was great, I thank you for your time.
WC: Thanks for thinking about me.
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