The City of Victoria has unveiled commemorative “Doug Hudlin Memorial Way” signage above existing street signs along Higgins Street.
“Doug Hudlin was a trailblazer and a valued member of our community,” said Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto. “This signage serves as a lasting tribute to his remarkable contributions to the city, the sport, and generations of ball players, and ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire.”
“On behalf of our family, we are thankful for this huge honour,” said Hudlin’s niece Barbara Hudlin. “Doug was an exceptional umpire, a friend to everyone in the community and he set a standard for his family which we strive to emulate.”
Hudlin was a pioneering umpire, notable as the first non-American umpire, and the only Black non-American umpire, to work the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and did so twice. He was inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame, the BC Baseball Umpires Association Hall of Fame, and has been recognized at National Little League Park and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. He was also a Little League Umpire Alumni and a founding member of the British Columbia Black History Awareness Society. He spent many of his years of service to Little League as an umpire at National Little League Park, known as Jerry Hale Field, next to Higgins Street.
The initiative to honour the late Doug Hudlin came from a Council Member Motion approved in April 2024.
This installation does not alter the legal name of Higgins Street. This new signage is a gesture to acknowledge Doug Hudlin's legacy and his significant contributions to our community.
Media Contact:
Colleen Mycroft
Manager, Intergovernmental and Media Relations
250.896.5325 | cmycroft@victoria.ca