Lethbridge Sport Hall of Fame 2023

CHAIR’S MESSAGE

PAUL KINGSMITH Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame Board Chair

On behalf of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors, it is my honour to congratulate the 2023 inductee class, and the 2023 Kinsmen Sports Persons of the Year.

As the City of Lethbridge is located on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, it is with great honour that we celebrate this year’s theme of Indigenous Contributions to Sport. As our Board of Directors commit to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, in particular call to action 87, which calls upon “sports hall of fames… to provide public education that tells the national story of Aboriginal athletes in history,” it is our responsibility to continue to highlight the many worthy inductees from local Indigenous communities and ensure their stories are committed to history.

I want to thank Dr. Ninna Piiksii (Mike Bruised Head / Chief Bird) for sharing the history of Blackfoot sport in the pages of this program, and he will also be our guest speaker.

upbringing to spur him onto an incredible throwing career that culminating by being named captain of the Harvard University track and field team. Meanwhile, the 1979 Lethbridge Senior Little League Team carried the city’s name all the way to the Senior Little League World Series. Their accomplishments placed them in the spotlight and they excelled.

Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame congratulates all this year's honourees and salutes our magazine sponsors, many of whom are long-time supporters.

Thank you also to the City of Lethbridge for their continuing support hosting our permanent display area in the Cavendish Farms Centre.

Among our inductees this year is Rufus Goodstriker, who lived an absolutely fascinating life. His sports accomplishments as a rodeo athlete, boxer and horse trainer (in addition to being skilled in hockey, baseball and nearly any other athletic venture he took up) earned him a spot in our Hall of Fame. But all he accomplished during his life went well beyond the athletic field, including as a Chief, a traditional healer, an RCMP scout, an army veteran, and the founder of a youth ranch. It’s hard not to draw a line from the leadership skills learned in sports to all else he accomplished in his life. Learning more about his story has been a thrill.

Rufus is part of another amazing and worthy class of inductees this year. One of my joys as a member of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame is being able to shine a light on a broad range of people and teams who have made Lethbridge such a special community. Ashley Patzer’s accomplishments are well documented, as a hometown rugby hero who followed her dream all the way to an Olympic medal. Fellow athlete inductee Lanny Tron also used his Lethbridge

What also excites me about the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, however, is the spotlight it shines on those who did most of their work behind the scenes. As an umpire, Mitch Ball’s best performances were those where he was not noticed at all. But to those who mattered, his work was noticed and he was awarded positions in some of the sports largest showcase events, including the Little League World Series. Brian Donaldson also spent decades of his time ensuring others had a chance to compete and shine. It’s because of him that wrestling has a foothold in the city now. While both Brian and Mitch sadly passed away in recent years, we are proud that we can honour them this year.

The Kinsmen Sportspersons of the Year, Jinaye Shomachuk and Ridly Greig, help represent the exciting next chapter of Lethbridge’s sports history. Both have elevated themselves to representing not only southern Alberta, but all of Canada at a championship level internationally. We will continue to cheer them on as they continue to achieve great things.

To learn more about our current and past inductees, I encourage you to visit our permanent site in the Cavendish Farms Centre. The creation of this display was a labour of love for generations of Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame board members and helps add a permanence to our Hall and a showcase for our inductees. Finally, I want to thank our entire Board of Directors – the commitment of this group is unparalleled, and I appreciate their desire to ensure Lethbridge’s sports history is celebrated.

Enjoy your evening and thank you for supporting the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame.

LETHBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME ~ 2023 ~

LETHBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1985, the City’s Centennial Year, for the purpose of recognizing the outstanding achievement, in sport, of individual athletes, teams, builders and special award receipients. The Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame identifies and honours, not only contemporary individuals, but also those who have excelled in sport at some time since the founding of Lethbridge.

In its inaugural year, the Sports Hall of Fame was adopted by the Lethbridge Elks Club as its Centennial Project.

www.lethbridgesportshalloffame.ca

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

On behalf of Lethbridge City Council, I am thrilled to welcome everyone to the 2023 Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet.

Each year, I am impressed and amazed at the sheer number and pure quality of the inductees. This year’s new members, along with the more than 330 current Hall members, represent a legacy to Lethbridge and region that is simply unmatched in any other avenue or discipline in our city.

The 2023 class includes an Olympic medalist (of which Lethbridge has only ever had a handful), a former Ivy League track and field star, a decorated baseball umpire and mentor, the founder of the Lethbridge Amateur Wrestling Association, a team who won the Canadian Senior Little League Baseball title, and a charismatic boxer and rodeo athlete.

Congratulations to Ashley Patzer, Lanny Tron, Mitch Ball, Brian Donaldson, the 1979 Lethbridge Little League team, and Rufus Goodstriker.

The Sports Hall of Fame is administered by a Board of Directors, volunteers representing various sectors of the sports community.

Congratulations also to the 2023 Kinsmen Sportspersons of the Year: Jinaye Shomachuk, a weight throw national gold medalist from the University of Lethbridge Track and Field team, as well as Ridly Greig, a forward for the NHL’s Ottawa Senators and former Lethbridge Minor Hockey player.

As our City Council wants to continually remind everyone: Lethbridge is the Gateway to Opportunity. We are the agricultural, commercial, financial, transportation, industrial – and sporting – centre of southern Alberta. Let’s continue to make sure everyone knows it!

Blaine Hyggen Mayor of Lethbridge

Back row: Jamin Heller, Ryan Forsyth, Dave McMurray, Keegan Brantner, Toby Boulet, Marni Hope

Front row: Knud Petersen, Sara Peters, Paul Kingsmith, Susan Eymann, Dori Johnson

SPORTS HALL OF FAME

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

MARNI HOPE

Miisomii'kitsikaakii or Marni Hope is Siksikaisitapi (Blackfoot) from the Kainai nation. She is an accomplished athlete; played post-secondary Basketball for SAIT and ran for Trent University’s X-country team. Marni has competed in 2 full marathons, numerous half marathons and a handful of triathlons.

Although a reoccurring knee injury has kept her from running long distances, she still finds ways to keep active. Marni loves hiking, biking, golfing and yoga and recently started to learn how to jingle dress dance.

Marni is a community scholar and advocates for Indigenous people, she is devoted and passionate about child welfare issues. She is the VP for the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta (SSISA), board member with the Lethbridge Sport Hall of Fame, and a Board of Governor representative at Lethbridge College. She is currently working towards her M.Ed at the University of Calgary.

She is a proud mom to 3 amazing teenager kids. In Marni’s spare time you will find her watching baseball, crafting jewelry, or enjoying the outdoors with friends.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES LOWELL YELLOWHORN

Spiitawakasi or Lowell

Yellowhorn is a Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy) member of the Piikani Nation.

He has been embedded in the cultural ways of his people and has served his community in various capacities throughout his journey, ranging from Leadership to Cultural Practice.

His lived experience includes multiple Powwow Drumming Championships all over North America and Music Award Nominations.

He currently works in the field of Post Secondary Education as a Manager of Lethbridge College Indigenous Services.

LETHBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME ~ 2023 ~

LETHBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME ~ 2023 ~

Graduated from St Mary's High school on the Blood Reserve in 1976. Received a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) from the University of Lethbridge (U of L) in 1980. Served on Blood Tribe Chief and Council from 1981 to 1983.

Employed at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College in 1984-85 as College Administrator. Executive Director of Sikoohkotoki Friendship Center from 1986 to 1994. Convocated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from the U of L and thereafter employed by Kainai of Board of Education as a high school teacher, vice principal and principal from 1996 to 2011. Obtained a Master’s of Administration and Supervision Degree (MA) from Gonzaga University, Washington in 2003.

Elected to Blood Tribe Chief and Council from 2011 to 2016. Formally created Kainai Ecosystems Protection Agency (KEPA) and served as chair for KEPA from 2012 to 2016. Chairman of KEPA Summit for the past seven

years, currently serving as an elder and academic advisor on KEPA committees.

Organized partnership between KEPA, Earth Watch and Kainai High School for Blood Tribe Timber Limits Environment Assessment Program. Serves on the Oldman Watershed Council, Crown of the Continent Roundtable Leadership Committee and Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association. Involved in Kainai ceremonies and cultural events and speaks Blackfoot fluently.

Serves as president of the University of Lethbridge Iniskim Indigenous Alumni Chapter and Chairman of the Kainai Board of Education. Completed Doctoral Studies in Philosophy, Majoring in Social, Cultural and Political Thought. Defended his Thesis June 20, 2022 and Convocated July 15, 2022 on the Blood Reserve. Is a rancher raising horses and black angus cattle. Member of assessment team bringing back the Iinnii (Bison) to the Blood Reserve February 2021.

Rufus Goodstriker, Special

Throughout his life, Rufus Goodstriker never found a challenge he wasn’t up for. As a sportsman, Goodstriker made his mark in rodeo, chuckwagon racing, boxing and horse racing. Beyond that, he was a Chief and leader in his home Kainai community, a spiritual healer, an army veteran, a special scout for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, an actor, and a family man. His life reads like a story, which is a testament to how much he accomplished during his 78 years of life.

Born in 1924, Goodstriker had a passion for rodeo and a natural inclination around horses. He was a top competitor in the arena, winning the J.B. McDonald high-point award as the top Indigenous money winner at the Calgary Stampede in 1957 and 1958, becoming the only athlete to ever win the award two years in a row. He went on to win many other championships across Western Canada and the United States, and in 1967, he was among a group of some of the top rodeo cowboys from the Blood Reserve, who formed the All Indian Rodeo Association, which flourished for decades, leading to the first All Indian Rodeo Finals in Lethbridge in 1969 and the World Indian Rodeo Finals, which were established in Salt Lake City in 1976. He was named a lifetime member of both the All Indian Rodeo Association and the Canadian Rodeo Cowboys’ Association.

Another area where Goodstriker excelled was in the boxing ring, despite his own description that “Boxing was not a business for me, it was just a way

Blood Tribe Chief and Council are pleased to pay tribute to Piinaakoyim (meaning Seen From Afar) Rufus Goodstriker, a legendary sportsman, who made his mark in rodeo, chuckwagon racing, boxing and horse racing.

Beyond that, he was an elected Blood Tribe Chief and leader in his home Kainai community, a spiritual healer, an army veteran, a special scout for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, an actor, and a family man.

Congratulations on being inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame.

to pass through the winter.” As an amateur and professional, he fought 34 times, losing only once. He was a perfect 19-0 as a professional. While he made his mark in the ring, his lasting legacy in the sport may have come out of it, where he was a respected coach and trainer, helping generations of Blood Tribe athletes excel. His friend, Max Gibb, described him as a “pied piper for the young people of the reserve, involving them in horse racing, rodeo and boxing.”

Throughout his life, Goodstriker was never far from horses, and is remembered as one of the province’s top horse trainers over more than four decades. His horses ran in almost every meet throughout Western Canada and the Northwest United States and his quarter horses and thoroughbreds won countless races. The Rufus Goodstriker Memorial Horse Race is run each fall at Lethbridge’s Rocky Mountain Turf Club to honour his accomplishments. He was also a skilled chuckwagon driver, racing in places such as Calgary, Cheyenne and Lethbridge.

Goodstriker’s sports accomplishments are just part of the story for a man who was an elected Chief, a traditional healer, an operator of a dude ranch for youth, and even an actor who appeared in Hollywood movies. But his legacy is best represented through his family, which includes 10 children, 37 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren and other family members. Goodstriker passed away in 2003.

LETHBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME ~ 2023 ~

Ashley Patzer is widely regarded as one of the most successful rugby players in Canadian history. Before exploding onto the international scene, she began her career at home in Lethbridge, picking up the sport while in Grade 10 at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, before joining the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns where she helped turned the program into a national powerhouse.

She broke through in her sophomore season, earning Canada West MVP honours as the U of L won its first conference title and finished in third place at CIS nationals. It would be the last time in her university career that the Pronghorns did not finish atop the podium, as the team went on to win conference and national titles in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Patzer earned national honours each year as an All-Canadian in 2007, CIS tournament MVP in 2008, and CIS MVP in 2009.

While still with the ‘Horns, Patzer’s talent and dedication paid off as she earned her first caps with the Canadian national rugby sevens and fifteens teams in 2007. She quickly made a name for herself as a dynamic and hardworking

player who could score tries and make gamechanging tackles. She performed on some of the biggest stages in rugby, including the 2009 Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens, the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup Fifteens, and the 2013 Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens where she won a silver medal. Her highest individual honours came in 2014-15 when she was named to the Women's Sevens World Series Dream Team and was named Rugby Canada's Women's Sevens Player of the Year. Patzer went on to help Canada win gold at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto where she recorded two tries and nine of 13 conversion attempts for 28 points in the tournament.

Patzer capped her career in style, as a member of the Canadian team that won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She scored two tries in the tournament, including a crucial try in Canada's quarterfinal win over France. She retired from international rugby in 2017, but her legacy as one of the greatest rugby players in Canadian history lives on as her contributions to the sport have helped raise the profile of women's rugby in Canada and around the world.

Ashley Patzer, Athlete

On behalf of Southern Alberta Rugby, congratulations to Ashley Patzer for being a fantastic ambassador for Rugby. We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments.

Rugby Alberta and Rugby Canada congratulate Ashley Patzer

on her induction into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame. We are incredibly proud of Ashley, not only for her prior accomplishments, but also for all the contributions she continues to make to the sport of rugby in our province.

Congratulations Ashley and to all the other 2023 inductees!

Brian Donaldson, Builder

Brian Donaldson was a true icon in the world of wrestling and his life's work was dedicated to improving the lives of young athletes in Lethbridge. As the founder of the Lethbridge Amateur Wrestling Association, Brian spent over 30 years coaching and mentoring hundreds of wrestlers and changing their lives for the better.

Brian's passion for wrestling began in 1984 when he started a high school team at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. His enthusiasm for the sport was infectious, and he quickly gained a following among other schools in the city. This led him to create the Lethbridge Amateur Wrestling Association in 1991, which combined all the schools under one banner and paved the way for a successful program that exists to this day.

As a coach, Brian was tough but fair, and his athletes respected him greatly. He was instrumental in producing numerous provincial and national champions, many of whom went on to compete on the world stage and represent Canada. Brian's commitment to his athletes went beyond the

wrestling mat, and he organized exchange trips to Japan and hosted tournaments that drew athletes from across the prairies and British Columbia, as well as the USA.

Brian's dedication to the sport of wrestling extended beyond Lethbridge, as he served as an executive member and President of the Alberta Amateur Wrestling Association. His contributions to the sport in the province are immeasurable, and he is considered by many to be one of the founding fathers of wrestling in Alberta.

Although Brian passed away in 2021, his legacy lives on through the many athletes whose lives he touched and changed for the better. His program has become multigenerational, and many of his former athletes have gone on to become coaches themselves, ensuring that Brian's passion for wrestling will continue to inspire young athletes in Lethbridge for generations to come.

On behalf of the LCI students, staff, and alumni, we would like to congratulate Ashley Patzer on her outstanding Rugby career. Ashley will be capping off her University and International career as an inductee to the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, we would like to express how proud we are of all her accomplishments.

LCI would also like to welcome and congratulate the family of Brian Donaldson who is being inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame as a builder. Brian’s longstanding dedication to the sport of wrestling in the City of Lethbridge and southern Alberta is unsurpassed. Brian’s legacy lives on in the athletes and local officials he has inspired.

LETHBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME ~ 2023 ~

LETHBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME PROGRAM

37th Edition May 5, 2023 INDUCTION BANQUET

Theme: Indigenous Contributions to Sports

Agenda:

Refreshments: 6:00 – 6:50 pm

Master of Ceremony:

Marni Hope and Lowell Yellowhorn

Land Acknowledgement & Opening Prayer:

Wilton Goodstriker

National Anthem: Tsuaki Marule

Opening Remarks: Paul Kingsmith

Dinner: 7:05 pm

Guest Speaker: (approx. 8 pm)

Dr. Mike Bruised Head – Ninna Piiksii – Chief Bird

Inductees: (approx. 8:20 pm)

Rufus Goodstriker (Special)

Ashley Patzer (Athlete)

Mitch Ball (Builder)

Lanny Tron (Athlete)

Brian Donaldson (Builder)

1979 Lethbridge Senior Little League

All-Stars (Team)

Kinsmen Sportspersons of the Year:

Jinaye Shomachuk

Ridly Greig

Closing Remarks: Toby Boulet

Lanny Tron, Athlete

When Lanny Tron joined his first track and field team, he had his sights set on being a sprinter. But when legendary Lethbridge track and field coaches Rod Constable and George Gemer spotted the 6-foot-2, 215-pound teenager ambling down the track, they had different ideas of how to best capitalize on Tron’s obvious athleticism. Constable and Gemer convinced Tron to try his hand in the throwing circle, a move that led to broken records and international accomplishments.

As an athlete at Winston Churchill High School and member of the Lethbridge Track and Field Club, Tron had his coming out party at the 1975 national championships, earning Canadian midget championships in both shot put and discus. In 1976, Tron etched his name into the record books by shattering the Canadian midget shot put record by 71 centimetres with a throw of 18.71 metres. The accomplishment gave him national shot put records at each of the junior, juvenile and midget levels. From 1975 to 1978, Tron won Alberta High School championships in both shot put and discus, setting a variety of records, some of which still stand more than 40 years later.

An advocate for clean sport, Tron’s talents earned him national and international opportunities in both shot put and discus as a member of Team Alberta at the 1977 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and as a member of Canada’s National Junior Team for a 1978 competition against France. He was awarded the City of Lethbridge’s award for achievement in Sports in 1977 and a 1978 Alberta High School Achievement Award.

Skilled in not just the throwing circle, but the classroom as well, Tron set his sights on earning a college scholarship to a “good college,” as he told the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. He achieved that goal when he was accepted at Harvard University in 1978. During his four years with the Crimson, Tron was twice awarded a varsity letter in 1981 and 1982, earned the Little Shot Put Award in 1981, and was selected team captain and inducted into the Harvard Varsity Club in 1982. He was selected to represent Harvard in meets against Oxford and Cambridge in England, as well as other track meets in Europe. The life skills learned during competition translated to a successful career as a lawyer after his graduation.

LETHBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME ~ 2023

By Dr. Ninna Piiksii (Mike Bruised Head / Chief Bird)

Edited by Lisa Kozleski

When we talk about the history of Blackfoot people and sport, we can break it into four periods.

The first period was the time before the horses, when we traveled on foot for thousands of years on our Blackfoot territory. We had our own games, and we had scouts who were the runners. Each band each camp had their own setup of scouts; the clan leaders would select their longdistance runners, men and women, who could endure running all day and all night. Scouts were a jack-of-alltrades who ran ahead to see where the camp was, to locate where the enemy was, to discover where the Buffalo was abundant, and then they ran and reported back to the camps. The scouts could cover a lot of miles. They would swim across the deep swollen rivers of the spring runoff and in the cold waters of winter. They also had great arm strength as hunters with the bow and spear, which required superior eye-to-hand coordination.

We come to the second period, with the arrival of the horse. When the horse came, we would run on horse raids to capture horses. Imagine now, running from central Alberta all the way to the corner of Montana and beyond to capture horses. We went there on foot, running and locating the enemy camp who had horses, then coming back with them. When the horse came, that led to bigger warfare. Hunting was now quicker, meaning more food for the camps. The Blackfoot people started having their own horse races, racing across the grasslands of the prairies and across many water streams. For the horse racing, there was no track, just running from one end to another. Some of the scouts didn't have horses, so they would run alongside the

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BLA

horses. They would take turns riding horses and the others would run. We now developed horse riding skills. At first it was bareback, how to lean into the horse in the wind, how to swim with the horse.

The third period is the European encroachment and the residential school period. All of a sudden, organized sports started coming in, and sports that were not from here, that were introduced from someplace else. When the Blackfoot people started being sent to boarding school in 1884, they were slowly taught soccer, and throwing a ball. The boarding schools of the early 1900s brought in hockey, baseball, football, basketball. But there was always runningmarathons and track and field. We go slowly from sports with natural facilities - skating on rivers and ponds, swimming, running - to organized facilities like ball diamonds and rodeo grounds, then we go into using different types of equipment, coinciding and understanding the rules of sport. The aspect of having coaching

A photograph of Deerfoot (photo: unknown)

techniques, and referees was a new phenomenon, and sports facilities were introduced. Then all of a sudden, there was a huge emphasis on winning at all costs. All of a sudden, the competition was different. It was not natural. It was not for fun anymore. All of a sudden you added categories of age, height and speed to qualify. Before we never categorized the runners. The kids just ran. “You want to join us? You just have to run fast. Okay, go with these guys here.” But there were no professional sports yet, no sport where you received payment. That was a whole new phenomenon. People would chuckle, “oh, you mean, I can get paid for skating?” and they chuckled at it. They didn't take it seriously - to be a paid athlete. It was a game. To many Blackfoot athletes, that is still the mindset of a lot of our kids. They’ll go all out on the court, but you put them in a professional setting, and they're not interested in that.

up to 25 years just to win a medal? They ask “Why would I change my life to win a medal? What's the glory in that?” So then it comes to sports philosophy, a cultural philosophy. And that's the biggest thing today. You could still see where people like sports, and they're trying to push our kids and grandkids to be a professional, but when they're adults, they make that choice, they say “I don't want to be professional.”

The last period is today, when we have school, university sports, club and league sports outside of the school environment, and professional sports. Today, we still have a lot of athletics, but we also have governance groups, associations, policies and rules of who can play, so many rules today. For thousands of years, the Blackfoot athletes were just carrying out their duties in a natural way. We had to get to Moohkinstsis (Calgary) on foot. We had to move camp, we had to cross rivers, we were hungry and had to find buffalo. Now, sports can be so serious. Dead serious. One can see that the athletics have changed to being very serious, and we don't know if it's still fun today. If you are serious about a sport, you might have to move away from your family when you’re 14 or 16. For the Blackfoot people, maybe if we got extra serious, we could be training and trying out for national and Olympic teams, but to train for

The Blackfoot people have contributed to sports since time immemorial. We knew our heroes. The famous Siksika runner Deerfoot in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Tom Three Persons (Athlete 2010), the bronc riding champion at the Calgary Stampede in 1912. Pete Bruised Head Sr. the calf roping winner at the Calgary Stampede in 1924 and 1926. Frank Many Fingers and Joe Young Pine and other Blackfoot rodeo competitors who performed in Australia in the 1930s, traveling by boat. They were truly upholding the horse culture and excelled in their sports.

There is a cultural element among the Blackfoot people to not show off, to not brag about our athletic achievements unless someone else does the acknowledgement and praising. We were raised not to brag, but just to be respectful in our winning ways. You take each event, each activity, each competition as a learning experience. Whether you win or lose, you take that experience and see how much you have grown.

That is something everyone in the sporting community can think of, to return to humbleness, to the natural joy of sport, to the heart of it. The gift is to run because you love to run, and because your grandfathers can run with you.

1979 Lethbridge Senior Little League All-Stars, Team

BACK ROW,

LEFT TO RIGHT

Coach Ken Kotkas, Jerry Wall, Jim Kotkas, Darren Klovansky, Fred Fomradas, Shawn Gilborn, Roger Wallace, Coach Dick Necker Missing: Tom Shardlow

Before his team even started its remarkable run all the way to a 1979 Senior Little League World Series berth, head coach Ken Kotkas had a feeling his Lethbridge All-Stars were something special. Speaking to the Lethbridge Herald prior to playoffs, Kotkas said “I would say it’s kind of a Little League manager’s dream team. It’s got speed, pitching, hitting, experience. All things considered, it’s just about as balanced a team as you could ask for.” Kotkas’ assessment proved true as his team rolled to a Canadian championship and left a lifelong mark on the lives of the team’s players.

A young squad, composed of mainly 14-year-olds at a level traditionally dominated by 15-year-old players, the Lethbridge team showed great composure at the Western Canadian Championships in Moose Jaw. After losing their opening game to B.C. representatives Kennedy-Surrey in the doubleelimination tournament, the team could not afford to lose again. They found their stride by posting back-to-back shutouts before hammering Moose Jaw 21-3 to set up a rematch with KennedySurrey. This time, the Lethbridge team came out on top 4-3 to earn a berth in the tournament championship. Needing to beat Calgary Centennial twice, Lethbridge won the first contest 4-2 to set up the winner-take-all final. An early Fred Fomrades threerun double gave Lethbridge a lead they would never relinquish, as the team won 7-3 to claim the Western Canadian championship.

Heading to nationals in Erin Mills, Ont., the team kept its roll going, running its winning streak to eight games by beating the Quebec representatives 4-3 and the Ontario team 13-10 to move into the ‘A’ championship. The team faced Chateauguay, Que., and needed just one win in two games to claim the title. The winning streak came to an end with a 13-8 loss, setting up a winner-take-all showdown for the national crown. In the championship game, Tom Shardlow threw a complete game gem, striking out nine as Lethbridge won 2-1 to claim the national title and earn a berth in the Senior Little League World Series.

In their first World Series game, the scrappy Lethbridge squad hung in with a team from Tampa Bay that featured three future Major Leaguers, including future National League Cy Young Award Winner Dwight Gooden, before falling 7-3. In their must-win second game, the Lethbridge side ran out of steam, losing 16-3 to a Los Angeles team to end its season.

It was a remarkable run for the Lethbridge side who helped put the city on the international baseball map. Over the years that followed, members of the team continued to build on their championship legacy by giving back to the community as coaches and builders, cementing their status as local heroes.

FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT

Brad Harvie, Scott Maxwell, Tim Luchanski, Dale Norlin, Blake Tamayose, Greg Duce, Dean Oikawa

Mitch Ball, Builder

Mitch Ball was a legendary umpire in Lethbridge’s baseball community, known for his professionalism and mentorship to young umpires. Ball umpired at various levels, including the Western Canadian Baseball League and the Canadian College Baseball Conference, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.

Players and coaches respected Ball for his ability to umpire games with fairness and accuracy. He was known for providing advice and guidance to young umpires, often visiting diamonds to observe their performances and offer constructive criticism. He instructed many umpiring clinics, introducing numerous individuals to the profession. Despite his serious demeanor on the field, Ball had a playful side, and those who were not paying attention during his clinics might end up wearing a Mickey Mouse glove.

Ball was not one to boast about his accomplishments, but they were significant. In 2002, he was behind the plate, umpiring the championship game at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He represented Canada in the International Baseball Federation World Junior Championship in Edmonton in 2008 and the IBAF World Cup in

Europe in 2009. He also umpired the Pan Am Games in 2015 and Tournament 12 in 2016. In 2016, Ball received recognition from the Lethbridge Sport Council for his years of officiating excellence.

Off the diamond, Ball was a kind and compassionate individual, known for his generosity and community involvement. His passing in 2021 was a tremendous loss to the baseball community, and many have come forward to pay tribute to his memory. The Western Canadian Baseball League honoured Ball, stating that he was "an inspiration to so many umpires and a great friend to everyone in the baseball community." The Lethbridge Herald described Ball as a "larger than life" figure who had a positive impact on everyone he encountered.

Ball was a respected and admired umpire in the baseball community. His dedication to the sport and his generosity off the field made him a beloved figure to many. Ball's passing was a great loss, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered for years to come.

LETHBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME ~ 2023 ~

Origins of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame

www.lethbridgesportshalloffame.ca

The City of Lethbridge celebrated its Centennial in 1985. In planning for the celebrations, the Lethbridge Centennial Society struck a sub-committee to consider ways in which Lethbridge might showcase its rich sports history. The sub-committee, consisting of Gary Bowie, Keith Robin and Mal Clewes thought that a hall of fame could be established to recognize Lethbridge residents who had excelled as athletes, coaches and sport organizers.

A number of Lethbridge citizens with a strong sports background were recruited to serve on a board and the first meeting of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors was held on June 14, 1984 with Mal Clewes serving as chairman. The Board consisted of the following members:

Brian Bourassa - City of Lethbridge administrator responsible for sports facilities and programs.

Dr. Gary Bowie - University of Lethbridge professor, multi-sport coach, and organizer of countless school and community sporting events.

Marge Clark - Former high school teacher and coach of the provincial champion Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Clipper Queens basketball team.

Carole Gemer - Former Canadian national track and field champion athlete who provided service as a coach and official at the local, national and international levels.

Reno Lizzi - Lethbridge businessman and sports personality who organized and promoted a variety of sporting events with a special emphasis on baseball and tennis.

Hector Negrello - Former member of the World Champion Lethbridge Maple Leafs Hockey Club who coached and organized hockey and baseball for decades.

Don Pilling - Former sports editor of the Lethbridge Herald and one of the City's foremost sport historians. Don's guidance enhanced innumerable Lethbridge sporting activities over the years.

Dr. Keith Robin - Lethbridge Community College instructor and administrator who provided leadership for a variety of community initiatives.

Peter Smith - Former Exalted Ruler of the Lethbridge Elks Lodge No. 37 who provided financial and organizational assistance for the Sports Hall of Fame.

Dianne Violini - Perennial national champion bowler who promoted the sport for young and old. Dianne also served as the first secretary of the Sports Hall of Fame.

Wilma Winter - University of Lethbridge professor, coach of national champion women's basketball team and supporter of a wide range of university and community activities.

Mal Clewes - Lethbridge Collegiate Institute principal who helped coordinate local and provincial sport programs for Alberta high schools.

The Board developed by-laws and became registered as a society under the Societies Act of Alberta. Guidelines were established for the induction of athletes, teams and builders and a banquet was planned to provide recognition for inductees.

The Lethbridge Elks Lodge No. 37 became a major sponsor of the Hall of Fame and enabled the creation of a portable display of inductee photographs and biographical information. A logo was approved and nominations for the first inductees were solicited.

The inaugural induction ceremony was held on April 27, 1985 at the Lethbridge Lodge with Brent Seely serving as Master of Ceremonies and G.S. (Joe) Lakie as Guest Speaker. A total of twelve athletes, six teams and twenty sport builders were inducted including the 1950 - 1951 World Champion Lethbridge Maple Leafs Hockey Club and the 1958 - 1959 Canadian Champion Lethbridge Broders Chinook Basketball Team.

The banquet was attended by six hundred people and set the stage for an annual event that celebrates the rich history of sport in our fine city.

INDUCTION CATEGORIES

Four categories were established for the purpose of recognizing excellence in sport as follows:

ATHLETE

PURPOSE:To recognize athletes who have distinguished themselves in competition in Lethbridge or elsewhere and to recognize athletes who have rendered prolonged and meritorious service to sport.

ELIGIBILITY: In order to be considered as a candidate for the Hall of Fame, an athlete must:

a)Have represented sport with distinction in athletic competition, either in Lethbridge or elsewhere, or by example have brought great credit to the sport and high respect for the individual.

b)Have compiled an outstanding record which extends over a period of years in one or more sports.

c)Have been a Lethbridge resident when possible during the period for which outstanding performance is claimed.

d)Have been retired for five years or more.

BUILDER

PURPOSE:To formally recognize the initiative, leadership and dedication of those individuals who participate in the development of sport.

ELIGIBILITY:In order to be considered as a candidate for the Hall of Fame, a builder must:

a)Have demonstrated outstanding leadership in service to any sport, sport group or sport association in positions such as coach, trainer, manager, writer or administrator.

b)Have been a Lethbridge resident during the period for which outstanding performance is claimed. This performance would normally have extended for a period of at least 10 years.

TEAM AWARD

PURPOSE:The Team Award provides appropriate recognition for Lethbridge teams that have won a National, International or World Championship or have achieved the highest possible award in their particular realm of competition.

SPECIAL AWARD

PURPOSE: To formally recognize individuals and/or organizations, athletes and builders who have made an outstanding and valuable contribution to Sports or to the community of Lethbridge through sports. This category is to reward people who have made a significant contribution to sports, or the community, but do not qualify under the other categories.

NOMINATIONS

Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame candidates must be nominated prior to January 31st in order to be considered for induction that year. Nominations may originate with an individual, club or association and must be signed by the nominator. Nominations can be made via www.lethbridgesportshalloffame.ca or by using the appropriate nomination form and should include as much factual information as possible, giving details of the accomplishments of the nominee. Wherever possible, the accomplishments should be supported by documentary evidence. Nominations should include a head and shoulder photograph of the nominee.

If the nomination is successful, both the nominee and nominator will be informed by letter. In the case of an unsuccessful nomination, only the nominator will be notified. Nominations will remain on file and will be reviewed annually for three consecutive years. Nominations that have been unsuccessful for a 3-year-period must be resubmitted in order to be reconsidered.

SELECTION PROCEDURES

All nominations shall be considered annually by the Board of Directors. The decision of the Board shall be final and all nominators will be notified accordingly. An induction ceremony will be held once per year when possible.

KINSMEN SPORTSPERSONS OF THE YEAR

The Lethbridge Kinsmen Club in co-operation with Lethbridge Sports Media and the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame recognize a female & male for their sporting achievements during the past year.

PHYSICAL ARRANGEMENTS

After 35 years of portable exhibits, the City of Lethbridge kindly donated space in 2020 for a Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame permanent home located at the multi-purpose Cavendish Farms Centre on Britannia Boulevard in west Lethbridge. Each floor in the hallways between the Cor Van Raay YMCA and the curling & ice rinks features different aspects of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame.

The first floor identifies current inductees, the Kinsmen Sportspersons of the Year and sponsors as well as an interactive monitor featuring a searchable database for all past and present honourees.

The second floor features a TV monitor where individual and team stories can be told. As well, several display cabinets are available where sports paraphernalia can be exhibited.

LETHBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

BUILDERS

1985

Tony Bogusky (Boxing)

Edmond Bruchet (Multi-sport)

Stan Carmichael (Multi-sport)

Peggy Currie (Figure skating)

A.G. “Addie” Donaldson (Soccer, Hockey)

Jack Emery (Boxing, Track & field)

George Gemer (Track & field)

Dick Gray (Hockey)

Syd Hall (Hockey)

Harold “Babe” Harris (Multi-sport)

Yvonne “Sonja” (Currie) Jacobson (Figure skating)

George McKillip (Multi-sport)

Frank Miles (Boxing)

Hector Negrello (Baseball, Hockey)

Steve Pedersen (Multi-sport)

William Rea (Curling)

Yoshio Senda (Judo)

Stan Siwik (Swimming)

Carl Trentini (Hockey)

Henry Viney (Multi-sport)

1986

Dave Allen (Multi-sport)

Leo Harrold (Hockey)

Bill Kucheran (Baseball, Hockey)

Frank Leffingwell (Marksmanship)

Jim Whitelaw (Multi-sport)

Miners’ Library Club (Multi-sport)

1987

Ron Boyce (Motor sports)

Les Colwill (Hockey, Baseball)

Doug Frier (Baseball)

Jack Kerr (Baseball, Hockey)

Sam Serbu (Baseball)

Lethbridge Elks Lodge #37 (Multi-sports)

1988

John Pahara (Boxing)

Mike Wyrostock (Softball)

Jim Gunn (Multi-sport)

Gordon Kay (Weightlifting)

Aldo Nechich (Soccer, Broomball)

1989

Doug Clark (Basketball)

Dr. Gary Bowie (Multi-sport)

Irene Karia (Multi-sport)

Reno Lizzi (Baseball)

Jim Szucs (Baseball)

1990

Thelma Coutts (Multi-sport)

Ralph “Lefty” Eshpete (Multi-sport)

Marilyn Snedden (Multi-sport)

1991

Marge Clark (Basketball)

Reed Spencer (Baseball)

George Swedish (Multi-sport)

1992

Ralph Guzzi (Multi-sport)

Dr. Richard King-Brown (Squash)

Bernie Ontkean (Rugby)

1993

Dan Bodell (Hockey)

Pat Hamilton (Motocross)

Peter Lewko (Multi-sport)

1994

Fritz Heinrich(Soccer, Broomball)

Joe Lakie (Multi-sport)

Jake Van Dyk (Multi-sport)

1995

Gordon Hoselton (Multi-sport)

Lewis Kennedy (Football)

Elwyn “Bush” Williams (Golf)

1996

Enso Baceda (Curling)

Don & Ethel Higgins (Figure skating)

Brent & Nancy Thorburn (Soccer)

1997

Gloria Gouthreau (Multi-sport)

Dr. Jan Harvey-Kilam (Swimming)

Dan Niehaus (Gymnastics)

George Yoshinaka (Baseball)

1998

Robert “Bob” Bartlett (Hockey)

Ed Henderson (Multi-sport)

Harold “Ted” Major (Multi-sport)

1999

Colleen Gunnlaugson (Figure skating)

John McLellan (Multi-sport)

Darryl Medoruma (Alpine skiing)

2000

Wally Pickett (Hockey)

2001

Gene Eisler (Soccer)

Ed Martyna (Badminton)

Wayne Petersen (Golf)

2002

Steve Arisman (Multi-sport)

2003

Tim Tollestrup (Multi-sport)

2004

Dawn (Fry) Keith (Basketball)

2006

Kevin Wiber (Football, Baseball)

2007

Sheila Buelow (Ringette)

2008

Bertril Johansson(Cross Country Running)

Blair Kubicek (Baseball)

2009

James Murphy(Tae Kwon-Do)

Daniel Shapiro (Tennis)

Don Chandler (Curling)

2010

Mal Clewes (Multi-sport)

LAA Pioneers (Hockey)

Florence Senda (Judo)

Sharon Chmielewski (Curling)

2011

Ron Jacobson (Football)

Bob Tinordi (Broomball)

Lethbridge Lacrosse Association Pioneers

2012

Brad Brown (Football)

2013

Kurt Berndtsson (Marksmanship)

Terry Hanna (Basketball)

2014

Mary and John Schwengler (Triathlon, Running)

John Lavorato (BMX)

2015

Pius Labolevech (Basketball)

Cal O’Brien (Multi-sport)

2016

Lawrence Steinke (Track & field)

Neil Langevin (Rugby)

2017

Morgan Munroe (Multi-sport)

2018

Duane Konynenbelt (Multi-sport)

Steve Wilson (Volleyball)

2019

Ard Biesheuvel (Volleyball)

Bernhard Pohl (Mixed Martial Arts)

2020

Howard Rasmussen (Volleyball)

Eunice David (Figure Skating)

Cliff Nelson (Multi-sport)

Dr. Mary Dyck (Multi-sport)

2022

Scott Oikawa (Baseball)

Errol Smith (Soccer)

2023

Mitch Ball (Baseball)

Brian Donaldson (Wrestling)

ATHLETES

1985

Glen “Jinx” Anderson (Multi-sport)

Robert “Scotty” Armitt (Soccer, Track & field)

Harry Blacker (Basketball)

Jim Furlong (Football)

Earl Ingarfield (Hockey)

Enid (Dowdle) Pepper (Multi-sport)

Marie Popson (Archery)

Tom Sindlinger (Basketball)

Vic Stasiuk (Hockey)

D. Logan Tait (Basketball, Racquetball)

Katie Wilson (Multi-sport)

Kai Yip (Boxing)

1986

Robert “Bobby” Dunlop (Multi-sport)

Sydney Emery (Boxing)

Eddie Foychuk (Softball)

James Freel Sr. (Multi-sport)

William “Billy” Gibson (Hockey)

Glen Hamilton (Multi-sport)

Barbara Horne (Golf)

Bus Murdoch (Multi-sport)

Richard Steadman (Badminton)

Gerald Ward (Track & field)

1987

Lavern Dzuren (Racquetball)

John Eccleston (Track & field)

Thomas Green (Multi-sport)

Marvin Kirchner (Multi-sport)

Evelyn Leffingwell (Marksmanship)

Allan “Chick” MacIntosh (Multi-sport)

Marty Maxwell (Baseball)

Stan Maxwell (Hockey, Baseball)

Charles “Bud” McKillop (Multi-sport)

Dianne Violini (Bowling)

1988

Joe Meli (Judo)

Steve Odney (Baseball)

Harvie Pocza (Multi-sport)

Natalie Reimer (Figure skating)

Matthew Slavich (Baseball)

Bill “Iron Man” Eagleson (Baseball)

Carole Gemer (Track & field)

Robert “Bob” Kastings Jr. (Swimming)

Jack Lilja (Basketball)

1989

Doug Barkley (Hockey)

Jody Fry (Racquetball)

Tom Greenway (Judo)

John Klem (Baseball)

Ed Schwartz (Golf)

Jack Smeed (Bowling)

Alvin Tietz (Soccer)

1990

Rick Duff (Boxing)

“Aut” Erickson (Hockey)

Tim Filuk (Racquetball)

Harold Mandeville (Rodeo)

George Santoni (Baseball)

1991

Len Frig (Hockey)

Eddy LeBaron (Boxing)

Peter Slobodian (Hockey)

Fen Tunbridge (Bowling, Golf)

Stan Wills Jr. (Marksmanship)

1992

Stan Howard (Multi-sport)

Jim Kotkas (Baseball)

Marla Lawlor (Equestrian)

Scott Maxwell (Baseball)

1993

Phil Illingworth (Judo)

Bert Mezei (Bowling)

Dan Santoni (Baseball)

Joseph “Jocko” Tarnava (Multi-sport)

Francis Wright (Multi-sport)

1994

Lori (Parsons) McArthur (Equestrian)

Kathy McCune (Softball)

Scott McGeoch (Soccer)

Ken Moore (Football)

Gary Tunbridge (Baseball, Bowling)

1995

Clark Bosch (Baseball)

Jack Hebert (Baseball, Bowling)

Nan Iwaskiw (Baseball)

John MacMillan (Hockey)

Bill Persley (Multi-sport)

Cliff Stroh (Golf)

1996

Karen Ewashen (Powerlifting)

Bill Koskoski (Baseball, Bowling)

Bruce Lyon (Baseball)

Ralph Oler (Marksmanship)

Corrido Santoni (Baseball, Basketball)

1997

Lori Chaki-Farrington (Track & field)

Reginald “Junior” Olsen (Combatives)

Gary Simmons (Hockey)

1998

Sharon (Davies) Fogtmann (Badminton)

Tara Gemer (Track & field)

Suzanne Pecht (Track & field)

Garth Pilling (Multi-sport)

Guy Pomahac (Multi-sport)

Jason Zuback (Golf)

1999

Gregory Duce (Baseball)

Barb Halladay (Multi-sport)

2000

Don Cavers (Golf)

Lorraine Hill (Equestrian)

Rob Roy (Baseball)

Nick Saler (Soccer)

2001

Ian Balfour (Alpine skiing)

Brian Rossetti (Bowling)

2002

Perry Mirkovich (Basketball)

2003

Malcolm Jones (Rodeo)

Shawna (Molcak) Kolaczek (Basketball)

2004

Brenda Pennington (Multi-sport)

Jamie Pushor (Hockey)

2006

Trevor Hardy (Kick Boxing)

2007

Dennis & Jude Hooey (Archery)

Mike Marcinkowski (Weight lifting)

Clarence Yanosik (Baseball)

2008

Charlton Weasel Head (Basketball)

Tyler Birch (Alpine skiing, Bowling)

Rachel Evans (Volleyball)

2009

Dori Johnson (Basketball)

Danny Balderson (Basketball)

2010

Andrea Hlady (Basketball)

Tom Three Persons (Rodeo)

Bryan Maxwell (Hockey)

2011

Sarah (Joly) Nickolet (Soccer)

Phil Tolllestrup (Basketball)

2012

Jim Nakagawa (Multi-sport)

Gavin Edwards (Squash)

2013

Patricia Christiansen (Golf)

Ryan Watson (Hockey)

2014

Chad Murray (Swimming)

2016

Howard Yanosik (Hockey)

Laura Tsujikawa (Soccer)

2017

Mike Mezei (Golf)

Stacy Roest (Hockey)

2018

Carla Pavan (Skeleton)

Lauren Perry (Volleyball)

2019

Dawn Berry-Furtado (Golf)

Trevor McAlpine (Judo)

2020

Jolene Watson (Schweitzer)(Soccer)

2022

Dennis Chief Moon (Boxing)

Heather Steacy (Track & Field)

Jim Steacy (Track & Field)

2023

Lanny Tron (Track & Field)

Ashley Patzer (Rugby)

TEAMS

1985

Cliff Forry Rink (Curling)

1958-59 Lethbridge Broders Chinooks (Basketball)

1936-37 Lethbridge Galt Miners Senior Men (Baseball)

1950-51 Lethbridge Maple Leafs (Hockey)

Myrna McQuarrie Rink (Curling)

1932 Supina’s (Soccer)

1986

1947-49 Lethbridge Native Sons Juveniles (Hockey)

1987

Betty Luco Rink (Curling)

1974-75 Lethbridge Y’s Native Sons (Hockey)

1988

Barry Coleman Rink (Curling)

1979-80 Lethbridge Elks (Baseball)

Bill and Cori-Jo Petrunik (Figure skating)

1989

Wayne Bowes & Bob Daku (Racquetball)

Lethbridge All-Star Tigers (Baseball)

1990

Great West Tire Super Sam (Slo-pitch)

1991

1946 Blenner-Hassett and Smith Dodgers (Baseball)

1992

Greg & Mary Lazaruk (Darts)

Val Matteotti Suntanas (Slo-pitch)

1993

1969 Lethbridge Sugar Kings (Hockey)

1994

1969 Lethbridge Chargers (Soccer)

1995

1994 U of L Men’s Pronghorns (Hockey)

1996

1989 LCC Women’s Kodiaks (Basketball)

1997

1972 Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club Relay Team (Swimming)

1994 LCC Women’s Kodiaks (Soccer)

1999

1977 Lethbridge Norcrest Senior Little League (Baseball)

2000

1982 Lethbridge Little League All-Stars (Baseball)

2001

1979 Lethbridge Gotschna (Slo-pitch)

2002

1990 LCI Rams (Football)

2006

1989 Val Matteotti Golden Hawks (Hockey)

2007

1963-65 Lethbridge Jr. North Stars (Fastball)

2003 LCC Women’s Kodiaks (Cross-Country Running)

2008

2004 Kodiak Women’s Basketball

2010

2005-06 Lethbridge College Kodiaks Men’s Cross-Country Team

1971 U of L Chinooks Women’s Basketball

2011

2007 LCI Rams Senior Boys Volleyball Team

2012

2007-09 U of L Pronghorn Women’s Rugby

2013

1977 Lethbridge Norcrest Little League All Stars (Baseball)

2014

2011 Lethbridge Giants (Baseball)

2015

1966-1967 Lethbridge Junior College Men’s Kodiaks (Basketball)

2016

1963 Lethbridge Hungaria (Soccer)

2017

1985 Lethbridge Senior Little League (Baseball)

2018

1975 Lethbridge Chargers (Soccer)

2019

2008 Senior Ladies World Curling Championship Team (Curling)

1981 Lethbridge Little League All-Stars Canadian Champions (Baseball)

2020

Schwartz Angels 1983 Canadian Slo-Pitch Champions (Slo-Pitch)

2023

1979 Lethbridge Senior Little League AllStars (Baseball)

SPECIAL

1988

Lethbridge Labour Club (Multi-sport)

AC “Andy” Anderson (Multi-sport)

1989

Val Matteotti (Multi-sport)

Al McCann (Multi-sport)

Don Pilling (Multi-sport)

1990

Lethbridge Hockey Hounds (Hockey)

1991

George Wesley (Baseball)

1992

Royal Canadian Legion (Multi-sport)

1993

Lethbridge Oldtimers Sports Association (Hockey)

1994

Mary Oikawa (Multi-sport)

1995

Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (Multisport)

1996

Steve Fallwell (Multi-sport)

1997

Keith Jorgensen (Multi-sport)

Gordon Orser (Hockey)

1999

Vivien Goodrich (Equestrian)

2000

Rich Sutter (Hockey)

Ron Sutter (Hockey)

2001

Gus Herresvele (Multi-sport)

2002

Max Gibb (Multi-sport)

2003

Garry Allison (Multi-sport)

2004

Sundown Hank Markus (Rodeo)

2006

Jack Nagai (Multi-sport)

1975 Canada Games Society (Multi-sport)

2007

Ron Bain (Running)

2008

Yoshitaka (Taka) Kinjo (Karate)

2009

Southern Alberta High School Rugby League Pioneers

2010

Bryan Jeannotte (Multi-sport)

Harry Bentley (Multi-sport)

2012

The Bascom Family (Rodeo)

Raymond Knight (Rodeo)

2014

George Virtue (Multi-sport)

2015

Colin Nonomura, Darin Gibson

(Tae Kwon-Do)

David Wells (Multi-sport)

2017

Knud Petersen (Multi-sport)

2019

Carol Thibert (Multi-sport)

2022

Jody Fisher Meli (Curling)

2023

Rufus Goodstriker (Multi-sport)

2023 SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR RIDLY GREIG SPORTSPERSON

OF THE YEAR – HOCKEY

As a first-round draft pick in both the WHL and NHL, high expectations have followed Ridly Greig around throughout his hockey career. But the expectations are well founded as the Lethbridge native has achieved success at every level of the game. That was encapsulated during his 2022-23 season, which saw him star for Team Canada before making his mark in professional hockey.

After graduating from the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, Greig began his year by representing Canada on the international stage. He was part of the Canadian team that won the gold medal at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championships, played in August 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the tournament, Greig was a standout player for Canada, showing off his aggressive play and ability to create scoring opportunities for his team. He was twice named Canada’s player of the game during the four-game round robin. His tournament would end in disappointment as he missed the gold medal game due to an injury, but his contributions throughout the tournament helped his team towards the top of the podium.

Despite the setback, Greig's impressive performances have earned him recognition as a rising star with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. He has been praised for his work ethic and his ability to adapt to the demands of the game. He is known for his physicality on the ice, as well as his speed and agility.

Greig made his NHL debut with the Senators on Jan. 25, 2023, in a game against the New York Islanders. He scored his first NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 19, 2023 and ended his rookie season with two goals and nine points in 20 NHL games, while also playing 39 games with the Senators’ American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville. He impressed his team and fans alike with his speed, agility, and goal-scoring ability.

Off the ice, Greig is described as a humble and dedicated player who is always looking to improve his skills. He credits his family and his coaches for his success, and he is grateful for the opportunities he has been given to pursue his passion for hockey.

2023 SPORTSPERSONS OF THE YEAR

JINAYE SHOMACHUK

SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR – TRACK AND FIELD

Jinaye Shomachuk is a talented track and field athlete from Airdrie, who has made her mark during her first two seasons with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, becoming one of the top throwers in the country.

Shomachuk's athleticism was noticeable from a young age, but she was faced with an early challenge when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was just nine years old. The highs and lows of diabetes have, and continue to, make it challenging for Shomachuk to engage in sports, but she says, “I have gained considerable resiliency in learning to live with this chronic condition and I think I'm stronger for it.”

Her strength and resilience paid off and blossomed with the storied University of Lethbridge track and field team. During her freshman year in 2022, Shomachuk threw 16.63 metres in weight throw at the Canada West Championships, claiming a bronze medal. At the national U SPORTS championships, she threw a new personal best by over a metre to win the U SPORTS silver medal. For her win, she was also named a U SPORTS second team All-Canadian and was named Pronghorns Female Athlete of the Year.

In 2023, Shomachuk raised her game to a new level as she went undefeated in weight throw competition, capturing gold at the Golden Bear Classic, Bison Classic, Panda Open, Canada West Championships, and U SPORTS National Championships. She won Female Performance of the Meet at Canada West Championships and gold at U SPORTS Championships to become a first team U SPORTS all-star. She also etched her name in the record books, with an 18.90 metre throw to win the Canada West Championships, which is the third longest throw in U SPORTS history. This achievement earned her recognition as the Pronghorns Female Athlete of the Year for a second straight year.

Shomachuk's success has not gone unnoticed, and she has been praised for her dedication and hard work. She credits the Pronghorns’ team-first attitude with helping to feed her success, telling Airdrie Today, “The atmosphere and the support within the team has been really well felt, and I think that’s definitely contributed to at least part of my performance this year.”

With three years of post-secondary eligibility remaining, Shomachuk’s already decorated career is just getting started.

SPORTSPERSONS OF THE YEAR AWARD

CANADA

The Kinsmen Club of Lethbridge is pleased to sponsor the SPORTSPERSONS OF THE YEAR AWARD.

The club has sponsored this award since its inception in 1995. These awards acknowledge individuals for their outstanding performance or participation in sports while representing Lethbridge.

In 2007, these awards were adjusted to include both a female and male recipient.

PAST & PRESENT RECIPIENTS OF THE KINSMEN SPORTSPERSONS OF THE YEAR AWARD

1995 - Nicole Petersen

1996 - Gary Bowie

1997 - Knud Petersen

1998 - Don Gatto

1999 - Sarah Joly

2000 - Bruce Drewry

2001 - Mike Mezei

2002 - Trevor McAlpine

2003 - Nicole Stratychuk

2004 - Jim Steacy

2005 - Brent Seabrook

2006 - Jim Steacy

2007 - Ashley Patzer

Jim Steacy

2008 - Lethbridge Curling

Club - Foster Rink

Zach Boychuk

2009 - Ashley Patzer

Jim Steacy

2010 - Ashley Patzer

Willy Kimosop

2011 - Heather Steacy

Mike Hansen

2012 - Jody Meli

Bob Bartlett

2013 - Deb Williams

Coby Iwaasa

2014 - Taylor McDonald

Aaron Hernandez

2015 - Kim Veldman

Jim Steacy

2016 - Rachel Nicol

Kris Versteeg

2017 - Ashley PatzerSteacy

Zack McAllister

2018 - Tyler Wong

Casey & Jessie

Scheidegger

2019 - Rob Klinkhammer

Sandra Latrace

2020 - Nico Pasquotti

Evelyn Beaton

2021- Hailey Driscoll

Christine Moser

Dylan Cozens

2022 - Kacie Bosch & Paige Crozon

Taylor Austin

2023 - Jinaye

Shomachuk

Ridly Greig

CANADA