2025 Male Athlete Inductee - Bill MacArthur Jr.
Coming from a lacrosse family, Bill MacArthur started at an early age with a lacrosse stick in his hands. His dad was instrumental in teaching him the game. Although he did play minor hockey and soccer in Wallaceburg, lacrosse was the sport that he loved as a kid.
MacArthur’s earliest recognition of organized lacrosse was at the Bantam age. It was winning the Wallaceburg tournament against Windsor in the championship game. Jack Landon presented him with a set of six beer glasses as the MVP, kindly donated by the local Glass Factory. MacArthur said he always had good years playing the game and making friends both in Wallaceburg as well as against his competition. One of his highlights of his lacrosse career was being able to play a few games alongside his dad and his much older brother, Lachland, with the Chatham Mavericks Senior B team at the age of 16.
He was also called up to play a few games with the Senior B Red Devils in 1971 and 1972, which was a thrill for a young kid to be on the floor with the likes of Henry Jaruga, Tom Ayres and Earl Haggerty.
In 1972 the Junior C Satans were formed and MacArthur joined his hometown team for the next four years. During this period he collected 173 goals and 109 assists. During another five years of playing senior lacrosse with Wallaceburg, Windsor and Sarnia, he added another 135 goals and 152 assists.
In 1982, MacAthur retired from playing and started coaching. In 1983, the Novice Wallaceburg team was elevated to B division by the OLA and were undefeated that year. Teams like Whitby, Toronto Beaches, Guelph could not match the skill and stamina of the Wallaceburg crew, as they were the winners or the B division title that year.
In 1992, MacArthur refereed his first Junior A lacrosse game and continued refereeing Junior, Senior and Major lacrosse until 2004. Highlights were officiating at three Founders Cups and one Presidents Cup. MacArthur officiated the gold medal game in 2001 when Wallaceburg defeated Edmonton for the Canadian Junior B championship.
Proud to have been part of sports in Wallaceburg, MacArthur said he will be forever grateful for the support he received
from the town.
Congratulations Bill ...Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame Male Athlete Inductee for 2025!