Ticats.ca Staff

The name of ‘Ivor Wynne’ has become synonomous with football in the city of Hamilton.  But who exactly was Ivor Wynne?

Born in Wales on November 2, 1918, Wynne immigrated to Canada with his family at the age of six in 1924.  After initially living in Caledonia for a few years the Wynnes would move to downtown Hamilton in 1928, where Ivor would go on to attend elementary school, high school and eventually enroll at McMaster University.

After graduating in 1940 and spending time in the Canadian military during the Second World War, Ivor Wynne was named McMaster’s Athletic Director in 1948.  He is credited with expanding the school’s physical education course and spearheading the creation of an athletic centre at the school.

In 1967, Wynne was named Chairman of the Parks Board after spending 16 years doing colour commentary for college and professional football on CHCH. 

The city sought Wynne’s advice throughout Civic Stadium’s first major renovations in 1970 that would help the iconic building reach modern-day standards.  Sadly Wynne would die suddenly that year of a rare blood disease and never see those renovations completed.

Shortly after Wynne’s death in November 1970, the city parks board voted to rename the stadium to honour his contributions to McMaster and the community.