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Efjc Canabtait statesman infodurhamregion.com Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 cause it's the greatest place in the world. It's where all my friends and family are." Returning home for a visit with his parents, Robert and Margaret, is a luxury that isn't always possible as he flies in and out of city after city on a daily basis, performing in front of packed arenas throughout North America and the world. The hectic schedule also puts a huge demand on his time, making it next to impossible to have any kind of social life. When Martin does get a rare opportunity to go out in public, he is virtually forced to forego his given names and carry the persona of the character 'Test' that lie has created. "You would think that everything would be terrific, but sometimes you forget what you have' to give up," he says of the lifestyle associated with being a popular and recognizable celebrity figure. "There are some places that I just can't go out to. That's what I like about coming home. I can go out and not get bugged." The 28-year-old is in his fifth year in the business after debuting in 1998. Along the way, he has worn the belts of Intercontinental, Hardcore, European and tag team champion. Given the name 'Test' as a short form for Testosterone because of his very aggressive style, it was another Canadian, Bret 'The Hitman' Hart who offered some guidance to Martin who was looking for a way to break into professional wrestling. A chance meeting between the two at a party following a show in Toronto Toronto is all it took for Martin, a Henry Street High School graduate, to pack up his bags and chase his dream at a wrestling training camp in Boston. "You make many acquaintances in this business. You're on the road with these guys and see more of them than you do your family. Over time there are some people you forget about, but I try to stay in contact with Bret," he says of the long lasting friendship. The May 2 show will be the first time Martin has wrestled at the Civic, having been a spectator at a number of Oshawa events with his dad while growing up. While he won't find out who his opponent is until just prior to the show, he laughs at the suggestion that promoters wouldn't dare have him lose in front of family and friends on his home turf. "You never know, but I hope not," he says, breaking out into a hearty laugh. "It would be nice to sneak out a 'W' in front of my mom and dad." Tickets, ranging in price from $19 to $46, can be purchased at Oshawa Civic Auditorium, 99 Thornton Rd. S„ or at all Ticketmaster outlets. Wrestler returns home for Wrestlemania Revenge at Civic Auditorium on Friday, May 2 BY BRAD KELLY Staff Writer World Wrestling Entertainment superstar 'Test' will be among a number of top wrestlers appearing at Oshawa's Civic Auditorium on Friday, May 2 for Wrestlemania Revenge. It will be a homecoming for 'Test', better known to local friends and family as Andrew Martin, who grew up in Durham Region. Hall of Fame honour for Orono's Joanna Van Dyke Joanna Van Dyke: Athlete will be inducted into the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Hall of Fame. TORONTO - Durham College will be well represented when the Ontario Colleges Colleges Athletic Association officially opens its Hall of Fame on Wednesday, April 30. Nine Durham athletes, coaches and builders will be inducted into the OCAA shrine at the Crownc Plaza Hotel Don Valley Valley in Toronto. • The inductees include Joanna Van Dyke, an Orono native who was a two- sport star at Durham, excelling in both volleyball and fastball front 1995 to 1999. Other Durham College inductees include Carol Cruwys (volleyball and basketball), Bill Crowdis (basketball), Augusto Duquesne (basketball), Julie Goedhuis (basketball), Marcy Skribe (basketball and soccer), Herb Kirkconncll (builder), Ryan Hughes (golf), Richard Snowden (coach, fastball and curling). FLORIDA - Every morning, Andrew Andrew Martin has to set his alarm clock about half an hour ahead of his scheduled time to wake up. Not out of fear of being late for an appointment. But rather, it takes that long for the Whitby native to get his six-foot-six, 292-pound aching frame out from between the sheets. A couple of job-related injuries - two broken discs and a cracked vertebra vertebra in his lower back - are contributing contributing factors to the discomfort. While his given name may not bring much recognition, his ring handle handle with World Wrestling Entertainment Entertainment (WWE) might shed some light on his situation. Better known to millions of wrestling fans around the world as 'Test,' he subjects his body to physical physical punishment on an almost nightly occurrence, resulting in a painful start to each morning. "It's not just me, it's everybody else (on the circuit)," says Martin. "In the last five years I've only had five days off in a row once. It's incredible what we put our bodies through. "The wear and tear on our bodies is incredible, but don't get me wrong, I still love to do it. "It's a lot more involved than what people think. It's a really hectic job, but I've got to see a lot of places that I never would have seen." Martin is speaking from his home away from home in Florida, where he is resting and training for a homecoming. homecoming. On Friday, May 2, Martin will lead an impressive list of WWE superstars into Oshawa's Civic Auditorium Auditorium for Wrestlemania Revenge. Among those scheduled to appear for the 7:30 p.m. card are Booker T., Rob Van Dam, Kane, Ric Flair, Chris Jericho, Stacey Keibler and Trish Stratus. While visiting exotic locations around the world has its appeal, Martin Martin says he draws a chuckle out of members of the media when the question question of his favourite destination is asked. "Whenever I'm asked where my favourite place in the world is I always always say Oshawa," he reveals. "I love to come back home be- Andrew Martin returns to roots pass a 'Test' Hockey for Heart tournament is 'not therapy' but it helps Each year, it gets a little easier for Rob Weir. Not A-B-C easy, mind you, just easier. easier. Organizing a hockey tournament that has turned into a significant fundraiser fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation Foundation is a daunting enough challenge,, but Weir's efforts come with the constant constant reminder of the heart attack that took his father's life at the age of 46. Roger Weir's sudden death in 1993 prompted Rob into creating the Roger Weir Memorial Hockey for Heart Tournament. Tournament. "1 fell I had to do something," says Rob Weir, 31, of the decision to start the tourney. "It's not therapy, but it helps." Since its inception in 1995, the tournament tournament has grown at an incredible rate, raising $67,000, including $32,000 last year, when it was expanded to include 16 teams. This year's ninth annual event goes Saturday at the Iroquois Park Spoils Centre in Whitby and Rob, along with his mom Louise and sister Shannon, have set a goal of $40,000, which would lake the event beyond the $100,000 mark. Make no mistake, this is no ordinary Brian Degree Sports Editor oldlimers' hockey tournament. In addition to the regular games, the team that raises the most money for Heart and Stroke gets a chance to play against an NHL oldlimers' team, featuring featuring a mix of young and old old- timers alike, players like Mike Pelyk, Bobby I.alonde, Rick Hampton, Ivan Irwin and Brent Grieve, to name hut a few. The former NHl.ers will also be joined by Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo fame. The NHL game is one component of the day's events, which run from 10 tun. until 6 pan. Also on the itinerary is a Hockey Hall of Fame NHL trophy display, where fans can gel up close ami personal with the Vczina, Hart and Conn Smylhe trophies. Hockey memorabilia memorabilia will be on display and for sale, the NHL oldlimers will sign autographs autographs from 2:30 pan. to -I pan. and former Chicago Blackhawk and New York Ranger Steve Larrncr will be on hand with co-author Ed Arnold signing copies of their well-received hockey book called 'Whose Puck is it Anyway?' Anyway?' Another crucial part of the fundraising fundraising comes from a silent auction full of sought after items, including a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey autographed autographed by notable alumni, an autographed autographed Leafs stick, a jersey autographed autographed by members of the Tragically Hip and an autographed photo of Bobby Orr's Stanley Cup winning goal from 1970. Pulling together the various aspects of the day is a, major organizational challenge, concedes Weir. "IM always hoped it would grow into one of the bigger tournaments, but it's just had a snowball effect," says Weir, crediting the involvement of the NHL oldlimers with motivating teams to raise significant sums for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Weir can - and should - credit the NHL oldlimers for making the event grow. But before anything can grow, someone has to plant a seed - and that's where Rob, Shannon and Louise Weir deserve a great amount of praise. WALTER PASSARELL/V Statesman photo OSHAWA - Shannon and Roll Weir show some of the silent auction and prize items available at Saturday's Roger Weir Memorial Hockey for Heart Tournament at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre, including an autographed Toronto Maple Leals'jersey and stick.