Stan Shillington, a British Columbian lacrosse statistician, was not just an avid numbers enthusiast but also a vital figure in preserving the history of Canada’s official summer sport. With a career that spanned over half a century, Shillington meticulously recorded every detail of box lacrosse, a rough-and-tumble indoor game also known as boxla. This dedication made him an integral part of the sport’s legacy, earning him the affectionate nickname “Stats Stan” within the lacrosse community.
From Police Reporter to Lacrosse Historian
Shillington, who started his career as a police reporter before becoming a police spokesman, found his true calling in box lacrosse. He spent over 50 years recording intricate details of the game including shots, goals, assists, saves, turnovers, faceoffs, and penalties. His work as an official scorer made him a familiar figure at boxla games, whether he was at the timekeeper’s bench or high in the rafters of arenas.
Remarkably, Shillington’s passion for statistics extended beyond the present. He made it his mission to collate statistics from games played even before he was born, sifting through old newspaper clippings and enduring hours of microfilm scrolling. His efforts have played a significant role in preserving the history of box lacrosse.
A Beloved Figure in the Lacrosse Community
Shillington’s contributions to the sport were not limited to numbers. He was the ‘Boswell of boxla’, chronicling the stories of contemporary players and reviving tales of past stars. His “Down Memory Lane” columns featured profiles of numerous lacrosse greats and highlighted significant events and teams.
His dedication to the sport earned him the respect and admiration of the lacrosse community. As sports reporter John Wawrow quipped, while the federal government had Stats Can, the lacrosse community had Stats Stan.
Legacy and Honours
Shillington’s commitment to the sport extended beyond his professional life. He donated his extensive collection of statistics and game reports to the B.C. Lacrosse Association, ensuring the preservation of 20th-century records for future generations.
His contributions were recognized with several accolades. He received the Art Daoust Merit Award from the BC Lacrosse Association in 1971 and the Norm Kowalyk Trophy as the Western Lacrosse Association executive of the year in 1980. He was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1977 and the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. The Western Lacrosse Association’s regular-season champion trophy was renamed the Stan Shillington Trophy in his honour in 2009.
Final Farewell
Stan Shillington passed away at the age of 90 on December 8, due to complications from dementia. His legacy, however, continues to live on in the sport he loved. His meticulous records have been digitized and are now easily accessible for future generations to explore and appreciate the rich history of box lacrosse.
