Tommy Beattie

In 1964, another Beattie brother graduated from Bridgetown Regional High School.

Tommy, as we knew him, was a six foot six inch athlete who provoked fear in the hearts of his competitors but was a gentle and caring friend who put the well being of others first. Tommy was a strong academic student as well as an outstanding athlete. In his graduating year, like his brother Alan, Tommy was President of the Students’ Council. He was also the Business Manager of the Blue and White Yearbook and a BRHS representative on the Annapolis Valley West Students’ Congress. Tommy was a major contributor to the school spirit for which BRHS was well known throughout the province.

As an athlete, Tommy’s accomplishments are truly remarkable. His love of sports and exceptional height were valuable assets for basketball and volleyball and Tommy used them to his advantage. Tommy was the center on the 1963 and 1964 Provincial Headmasters “A” basketball championship teams.

He was the top scorer in both of those years. The winning of these two provincial titles against the best schools in the province, two years in a row, is considered to be one of the most outstanding accomplishments by a BRHS sports team in the school’s history. Also, in 1964 , Tommy was a valuable member of the volleyball team that was successful in winning the Provincial Headmasters title against strong competition from much larger schools in the province.

When Tommy graduated in 1964, many of the top universities were knocking on the door in hopes of enticing him to enroll in their academic and sports programs. It was Dalhousie University that Tommy chose to attend and his sports career continued to flourish at this university. Tommy became a most valuable member of the varsity basketball team. In 1966, Tommy was selected as captain of the team and was chosen as Dalhousie University’s most valuable player. He was also named to the Maritme Intercollegiate all- star team at center. Tommy was one of the team’s top scorers and rebounders for three years.

The Bluenose International Basketball Classic was one of the major tournaments of the 1960s. Tommy excelled for a number of years in this tournament. He set a rebound record for both a single game and for the tournament.

In 1967, Tommy was chosen as an all- tourney player. He showed that rebounding was as important to the success of the team as scoring. After his death, the Tom Beattie Memorial Trophy was inaugurated to be awarded to the Bluenose Classic’s leading rebounder. Another of Tommy’s basketball accomplishments was his selection to represent Nova Scotia in the first Canada Winter Games, a selection for which he was truly proud.

On December 12, 1967, Tommy was involved in a car accident that took his life. This was the end of an outstanding sports career but it was not the end of many memories of his accomplishments and his years as a friend.

For many, we will remember the many parties at the Beattie household and the time spent in the pool. We will remember Tommy’s love of music and that he was a very accomplished drummer. He loved to play the drums and was as proud of that ability as he was of his sports achievements.

Tommy Beattie will be remembered as a great athlete , team player and most of all as a true friend. Tommy is very much a part of the sports heritage of the Bridgetown area.