Joe Winacott inducted into Hall of Fame

Some people help build SportsKlub by what they do on the field, others help build it by giving the community a place to gather.

On Sunday night, Joe Winacott was inducted into the SportsKlub Hall of Fame, class of 2025.

That is why Joe Winacott now stands as a member of the SportsKlub Hall of Fame.

Introducing Winacott, John Hammill reflected on knowing Joe since returning to Orillia in 2008, long before Studabakers Beachside became a downtown cornerstone and long before Winacott became synonymous with community support. From those early days, Hammill said one thing about Winacott has never changed, he gets things done.

Before Studabakers existed as it does today, Joe worked through earlier ventures that eventually led to the space that has become home base for so many SportsKlub moments. Along the way, he became one of the most consistent supporters of local sport in Orillia, sponsoring softball teams, flag football teams, and leagues across the city. He didn’t just put his name on jerseys. He played, he showed up, he supported men’s, women’s, and co-ed teams alike.

Hammill pointed to a defining moment in 2018 that captured exactly who Winacott is.

That January, OrilliaMatters held its launch party at Studabakers, two weeks later, half the building burned down. For many business owners, that would have been the end.

For Joe, it wasn’t. Studabakers was rebuilt and reopened in roughly four months, rising from the ashes through sheer determination. A sign inside the building still marks that moment, a reminder that quitting has never been part of Winacott’s makeup.

Hammill also spoke about Winacott beyond the bar and the sponsorships, highlighting his wife Claire and his three sons, Cade, Maddox, and Huskers' quarterback Alex, noting that no matter how busy life gets, Orillia has always remained home.

When Winacott spoke, the moment became less about recognition and more about gratitude. He thanked everyone in the room for coming out and spoke about how appreciative Studabakers is of the SportsKlub community. He praised the dedication SportsKlub has shown to Orillia and said how proud he is that Studabakers has been able to serve as a prime sponsor.

Winacott emphasized that the success of SportsKlub comes from teamwork, shared effort, and people building something together. Studabakers, he said, is simply a place for people to come together, relax, and enjoy one another after playing sports. The real work belongs to the players, organizers, and volunteers who make SportsKlub what it is.

He called the partnership a special one and said he hopes it continues well into the future.

Winacott’s impact on sports in Orillia live on in the teams that are able to keep playing, the leagues that were supported when they needed it most, and the friendships built inside Studabakers’ walls. That is why his induction into the SportsKlub Hall of Fame feels inevitable. Not because he sought recognition, but because SportsKlub would not be the same without him.