Mamie Shrum Faris (1913 -)Inducted 1992

It is interesting to note the names of Orillians who had a part to play in the sensational rise of Mamie Shrum to champion status. Mr. Harry Warren, a butcher shop owner, saw her at work on the family farm. Mr. Jack McInnis, in his watch repair shop across from Mr. Warren's, noticed her going and coming from his place, and was impressed by her as a possible athlete. Mr. Walter Knox, her eventual coach, was also impressed. A world famous athlete and coach, and later a member of the Orillia Hall of Fame, he had, himself, been trained under a former Orillian, Harry Gill.

Mamie Shrum was born in 1913 on a farm, a little north of Orillia. She was only 17 years of age when Mr. Warren, Mr. McInnis and Walter Knox persuaded her to train as a shot putter. Mamie was skeptical. After only 7 weeks of training, Walter knew he had a "winner".

On August 16, 1930 and three days later, this nervous, inexperienced, ill at ease girl made her athletic debut at the Ontario and Canadian Women's Track and Field Championships, winning both shot putting titles, an unheard of achievement. One month later, on September 12, a crowd of Orillians gathered at Couchiching Beach Park to welcome and honour Mamie, presenting her with a gold wristwatch from the town and a migrator from the Township of Orillia. She was now enthusiastic about the sport and was determined to lead the field with flying colours, adding discus throwing to her training.

The year 1932 saw her set a Canadian record of 38'3", the first in the shot put, and first for the discus throw - 103' 61/4". Again, in 1933, at the Ontario Track and Field Championships, Toronto, Mamie's shot put of 34' 11 1/4" won her a first.

Shortly after her marriage to Reginald Faris in 1933, the couple moved to Atikokan, where Mamie still lives. Orillia is indeed proud of this outstanding athlete.