Ross Powless facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ross Powless
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Alexander Powless
September 29, 1926 |
| Died | May 26, 2003 (aged 76) |
Alexander "Ross" Powless (born September 29, 1926 – died May 26, 2003) was a famous Mohawk lacrosse player. He came from the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation in Ontario, Canada. Ross Powless was known as a great ambassador for lacrosse and for Indigenous peoples. Many people consider him one of the best lacrosse players in Canadian history. He is even called the "father of modern lacrosse." His amazing skills helped bring back interest in box lacrosse in the 1950s. Ross was also the father of another famous lacrosse player, Gaylord Powless. In 2020/21, he was honored with the Order of Sport. This marked his entry into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to building the sport of lacrosse.
Playing Lacrosse: A Champion's Journey
Ross Powless played for the Peterborough Timbermen team. They won the Mann Cup four times in a row from 1951 to 1954. The Mann Cup is a very important championship in Canadian lacrosse. In 1953, Ross won the Mike Kelly Memorial Trophy. This award is given to the most valuable player in the series. During this time, he lived for a while near Peterborough with his wife Wilma and son Gaylord.
In 1956, Ross became a player-coach for a team in Hamilton. That year, he won the league's scoring championship. He also won almost every trophy from the Ontario Lacrosse Association. After his playing days, Powless coached several All-Indian teams. He led them to three national titles. One of these teams, the Rochester Chiefs, won the Can-Am Lacrosse League title in 1969.
He also coached a team that included six of his sons. This team won the championship at the North American Indian Lacrosse Tournament. Ross later said this was one of his greatest joys. He won the Tom Longboat Award twice. This award recognizes Canada's best First Nations athletes. In 1969, he was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Ross is also a member of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
His last season as a player was in 1967. He played for the Hagersville Warriors. In one game, he even played against his son Gaylord. Gaylord was playing for the Oshawa Steelers. Ross and Gaylord Powless are the only father and son pair in the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. They are also both in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Gaylord was inducted as an athlete in 2017. Ross was inducted as a builder for lacrosse in 2020.
Coaching and Community Leadership
Ross Powless was a skilled carpenter. He was a member of the Hamilton Carpenters Union. He helped build the first Burlington Skyway Bridge in 1956. He was proud that his son Gary later worked on the second bridge in 1986.
Ross was a player/coach for the Hamilton Lincoln Burners. He also helped start the Brantford Warriors team. He was a leader in his community. He helped create hockey and lacrosse leagues on the Six Nations reserve.
Ross also served his community as a band councillor for eight years. He was a band administrator for twelve years. His hard work helped improve the community on the Six Nations reserve.
In the late 1960s and 1970s, he coached the Brantford Warriors lacrosse team. Four of his sons, Gaylord, Gary, Harry, and Greg, played on this team. The team won the Canadian Senior B championship in 1968. Ross also organized the Iroquois Nations Cup Tournament during those years. In 1997, he received an award for his volunteer service. This was from the Ontario Municipal Recreation Association.
Ross Powless: Family Life and Hobbies
In his later years, Ross worked as a building inspector. He worked on the Six Nations Reserve. He loved hunting with his dogs, Lady and George. Ross was also a very good pool player. He enjoyed gardening and telling jokes.
Ross was married to Margaret Wilma Powless (Bomberry). They were married for 55 years. Together, Ross and Wilma raised 14 children. They also had 27 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Their children were Gaylord, Gail, Gary, Audrey, Greg, Harry, Arlene, Richard, Victor, Darryl, Karen, Tony, Jeff, and Jacqui.
He was the son of Chancey Powless. His grandfather was Peter Powless. He was also the nephew of Sam, Dick, Cecil, and Titus Van Every.
