Passion, attitide, self-reliance, drive, discipline propelled these athletes - every competition a chance to beat their personal best.
There were no girl’s teams so Carson honed her hockey skills on boys teams. One Midget AA team mate said, “Carson wasn’t just our assistant captain but our leading scorer and had a bit of her brother’s gritty side too." University team mate stated, "Humble despite a laundry list of accomplishments, determined to leaving her team and teammates better than she found them..."
Carson's Story her profile
Being 6'8", having the perfect body type for volleyball didn't guaranteed Murray would becomes a world class athlete. His meteoric rise was due to his love of the sport, his hours of practice, being coachable, and having a positive attitude. Quotes from teammates and media coverage gives insight his career. His interview offers keen words of inspiration for athletes.
Read his intro his interview
It’s pretty amazing that after contacting polio as a youngster, having his legs paralized for over a year and then undergoing extensive treatment in a clinic, Don was able to even play football. It’s all the more incredible that he was able to play football at the highest level as a lineman on the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League and to do so for five seasons.
Read More don's Acceptance
Sheila's dream to reach figure skating's highest level, required sacrifices by her family. First the traveling. Back and forth to Leduc, then three years back and forth from Wetaskiwin to Edmonton. Finally, at 11, Sheila, her mom and sister moved to Edmonton so that Sheila could train. She trained four hours per day while attending university.
Continue Reading sheila's profile
An intense competitior in 39 Years of bowling, 27 years at the highest level, Mark's success required immense drive, focus and dedication, as well as TIME! Time to practice, maintain a high level of fitness and travel across North America. Mark often entered twenty tournaments per year, requiring him to bowl over thirty games per day, a real test of your physical fitness and concentration.
Read More Mark's story
Being a goaltender is no easy feat, but Allen had an exceptional hockey career. With his goal percentage hovering in around .902 - .924 he excelled at the Junior and College levels winning numerous championships and awards. He went on to a professional playing career. In 2016 he began coaching male and female teams with a keenness for training aspiring young goalies.
Learn More Allen's profile
Val caused a sensation as a 12 year old at the Pee Wee Softball Provincials in Lethbridge. No one had ever seen a girl her age pitch a “windmill” style, just like an adult. Val was the talk of the town. Newspapers, TV all wanted the story of “The Little Girl from Wetaskiwin”. Val’s dad was a pretty good softball pitcher himself and Val and her brother copied their dad...
Continue Reading More of Val's StoryAlthough there is not one right blueprint or approach to being a successful coach, you may be inspired by these coaching philosophies.
In 23 years of coaching volleyball, there was not one year when one Larry's teams didn’t represent their zone at Provincials. Two perspective on his coaching style and character are summarized by first the 1981 Avalanche Men's Team second the 1990 Sabres Girl's Team. Both emphasize that the strength of a team depends on each individual member and the strength of each member depends on the team.
Avalanche view Sabres Perspective
Many people can participate in a sport; few possess the
strategies and know-how to inspire others through mentoring and coaching. Ross's introduction highlights his influence between 1948-2012. In his acceptance speech he reflects on his beliefs as well as the why and how of his coaching and mentorship. "How did I get
here?
Not by
myself—No one gets anywhere by themselves..."
During Brian's coaching years several hockey teams were champions. Brian was more than just winning coach of both sports. "Sure, you taught them hockey and fastball skills but through those sports you also taught them life skills... One players called your coaching style 'controlled intensity' another player said, "He taught me hard work, commitment and teamwork ...and it's molded my entire adult life.
Read more Brian's Profile
Youthful passion for football led him to coached in the NFL. It started on the farm. He asked his dad for goal posts; they were erected. Al spent countless hours throwing the ball over the goalposts, then running to the other side and catching it. Al compares the game of football to the game of chess, with the goal to plan something that will make the difference in winning the game, then motivating his players to achieve their goal.
learn more More BioThey are respected because they leave people better than they were when they found them.
Al has a propensity for the barbeque and decades of practice. He has been instrumental in helping to build the facilities and programs that allowed thousands of people to participate in sport. He can fix anything and solve problems before people understand there the issue. That is why there is the locals coined the verb "Clemmer". Read more to find out what it
means to "Clemmer" something.
Willie won 50 medals in
hockey, swimming, baseball and triathlon, and received several international honors. He is the recipient of the Order of Canada and American Medal of Honor. As a builder his contributions benefit the global community. One of
Willie’s greatest achievements is co-founding the North American
Indigenous Games (NAIG) the World Indigenous Games.
She started dancing at age four and progessed to assisting her dance teacher. In 1954, when she was 11 years-old she was teaching dance classes. Margaret’s father built her a studio in the basement of their home. While Margaret was conducting the lessons in her basement her mother was having coffee with her students’ mothers upstairs...in 1967 she founded the Edmonton School of Ballet.
next 50 years summary profile
His legacy is more than football. He
touched the lives of a lot of people as an athlete, an educator and a coach. His generous and tenacious spirit was fixed on creating moments that mattered in the lives of others and through that genuineness he inspired people to care, to make their life count
for something. As one player said, "We would have walked through fire or hell and high water for him?"
One of Bill's qualities is his ability to pick the right people to get the job done. He's done that in Wetaskiwin for 52 years - countless hours ensuring every child has opportunity, regardless of their financial situation, to be involved in recreational activities. His involvement was founded on a philosophy that "as a community we have two choices..."
Introduction Bill's philosophy
The underlying theme in Dr. Dave’s volunteerism is tradition. He is a former Sabre and a Viking and over thirty years later, he is with both teams again, just in a different capacity as team trainer. How he finds time to travel and give so much of his time and expertise to community endeavours is mind boggling. His commitment unwavering, his demeanour respected...
Continue Reading Profile
Once a volunteer, always a volunteer. Once a fan, always a fan. To be with family, he volunteering in his children's activities. As an octegenarian divides his time between the speedway, the hockey rink, and the bowling alley, doing whatever he can to help make things run smoothly or to encourage the competitors...just happy to be involved.
Don's story more highlights
Most of us can only imagine the life of a cowboy. For Rod the sport of rodeo is what he knows best. He's been a competitor, volunteer, proud father, judge. Also knowing that sponsors should be recognized and crowds entertained Rod has spent many years behind the scenes organizing a carefully choregraphed show that does both to augment the competition.
Rod's Story Rod's BioIn pursuing a passion athletes excel and flourish through realizing a style of their own.
A southpaw the ‘Smilin’
Rattler’ was like no other pitcher in his era. Sent to New York he became the first Aboriginal baseball player to turn professional. Baseball was his game. Between 1930-50 he’d show
up anywhere and everybody seemed to get a thrill out of it, knowing he
could appear unexpectedly.
Hockey was Rod's lifetime passion. He brought spectators to their feet with his rink- length dashes and inspiration to many teams as player-coach. His knees gave out forcing him to hang up his skates at age 66 but was still a fixture at the rink. Rod was the face of hockey and left a half-century legacy in his community.
Learn more Rod's bio
Love of "play" morphed into active sports and belief that "play is a must" in life. As quarterback, earning championship ring led Don to a multifaceted career which included 19 years as color commentator for the Calgary Stampeders and bringing the 1988 Olympics to Calgary.
introduction Don's Viewpoint
Fun at their first slow-pitch tournament was so much fun, enthusiam prompted the formation of a second team. For Team A it culminated in them being the 1998 Special Olympics Provincial Slo-Pitch Champions and competing for the Canada Cup.
Intro Speech learn moreMainstream lifestyle changes are gradual, norms in sport evolve, both barely noticed until we pay particular attention to the contrast.
Recently ranked by Hockey News in the top 100 goalies of all time, Robbie had a winding eventful path to his rookie debut into game #1 in the 1937 Stanley Cup and his two shut-outs to clinch the win. Insight from the induction speech and 3 stories give us a glimpse of hockey in 1927-1942 and life on the road.
The Goalie's Life Three Stories
The 1956 Wetaskiwin High School Sabres Football Team were a dynasty - champions in a special time. This speech stirred up memories of life in high school 70 years ago and the spirit of the community that formed a cavalcade of cars to follow their team from game to game in the 5 years they never lost a game.
To Tom and Joy Dorchester Rodeo and Chuckwagon Racing was a way of life. For 5 months every year they moved from rodeo to rodeo... where there was no hotel, they slept in the barns. Later they travelled in a pick up truck.... sleeping in the box of the truck and cooking off the tailgate, sometimes for 25 other cowboys...
life on the road Tom's profile
When Jack competed there were no professional hockey teams in Edmonton or for that matter in western Canada. Consequently at the time, these two championships were a “big deal” for Edmonton and the province of Alberta. One reporter said, " “It isn’t the team I wish to write about, it’s the goalie."
Jack's Intro Jack's story
Somehow Bob Hartnell found the time to be a volunteer fire-fighter, make sure Wetaskiwin got a new pool and arena, serve 12 years on the board of Wetaskiwin Minor Hockey, coach or manager more than one championship team, be a hockey scout. Bob spearheaded the formation of the Wetaskiwin Junior B Icemen Hockey Team which hit the ice in 1990. For the first three years of league
play, Bob was the manager of the team and the team went to the finals all three
years (1991-1994).
Twenty-years later his son Rob "Hartsy" Hartnell sharing his dad's zealousness for hockey took the coaching reins and in 2015 led the Icemen to two consecutive League Championships and three Provincial
Bronze Medals. He had years of championship experience having played on several fastball and hockey championship teams in his youth and enjoying an 11-year pro career...
For the Dorchester Family traveling the professional chuckwagon circuit and the sport of rodeo was a way of life.
The legendary Dorchester racing legacy started in 1922 when 11 year-old Tom won a horse race in Wetaskiwin. He got the racing bug. In a racing career that spanned 6 decades, Hall of Famer Tom Dorchester became one of chuckwagon racing’s greatest competitors and personalities. In that time, Tom and his wife Joy raised seven children, four boys and three girls. It seems natural that his sons took part in rodeo events and eventually followed in their father's footsteps. In 1968 history was made when for the only time in chuckwagon racing
history, a father competed against three of his sons at the Calgary
Stampede. The siblings chased their own dreams and became champions. Tom's grandson's got the racing bug too. Some of Tom's Story is revealed in the previous section.
Norma Chiddy played girl's ice hockey and basketball. She became a track phenomenon. In 1929 she was the recognized Dominion's Track and Field Aggregate Champion (Canada) and received a
silver cup from the Canadian Olympic Association which earned her a place on the
Canadian Team competing at the British Empire Games in Vancouver the next year. Later, she and her husband John MacEarchern stressed study, a strong work ethic, and encouraged their children to participate in
community and sports activities. Her son Ross said, "When a conflict between my paper route and hockey occurred,
mother would send me to hockey and my mom, my sister and brothers would deliver the
papers."
Ross had more than a passion for sports. He too became a champion on two levels. As a member of the undefeated Sabres 1954-58 he was League Scoring Champion. He played hockey and football for the University of Alberta Golden Bears and continued to play competitive hockey for 48 years and baseball until he was 62 years-old. Oh, did we forget to mention that Ross also coached High School Track
and Field for twenty-four years, Badminton for twenty years and two years each
in Volleyball, Basketball, Gymnastics and Wrestling. These teams won
numerous area and zone Championships.
In 2016, Phyllis and Bob were Inductees as Athlete Builders in the WCSHF. It was a joint induction with good reason. Both from sports oriented families Phyllis and Bob Clelland individually were competitive accomplished athletes in ball and curling. As well as competing, both Phyllis and Bob were avid volunteers, organizing and coaching ball and curling for more than five decades.
How did the partnership start? It seems they ended up on the same mixed curling team competing in zone championships. They must have got along on the curling ice and decided would make a great team because in 2016, they celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary.
At they time of their induction they were still curling competively. One of their more recent team wins prior to induction was winning a gold medal at the 55-plus Alberta Winter Games in the 70+ Mixed Curling event.
Now let's delve into their story and accomplishments that garnered them the honour of induction that they so justly deserve.
Brothers Rod and Val shared a livelong love of hockey. They learned how to skate on a farm pond and began minor hockey in Wetaskiwin as paired defencemen on a Bantam team. In 1951 they both played for the Medicine Hat Tigers as forwards. In the 1954-55 season Rod played for the Ponoka Stampeders in the CAHL and Val went to New Westminster Royals. They both played semi-pro in different leagues.
Rod ended up playing 1400 games in the NHL and is statistically one of the
least penalized players to have played pro‑hockey, one of the fastest skaters and one of the cleanest players in the history of the NHL, retiring from the NHL in 1974. Rod became a prolific scorer, player/coach of more than one team in Western Canada, and winner of several scoring titles and league championships. He became the "face of hockey" in Fort St. John and did not hang up his skates until he was sixty-six years-old.
Rod and Val Fonteyne played together on the Old‑Timer Wetaskiwin Relics in several
national and international tournaments.
Active between 1953 and 1988 - Cec Colwell and Doris Hall married in
Cochrane, Alberta in 1947. They moved to Wetaskiwin in 1953 and from
that time on, both volunteered in softball and hockey
organizations.
Cec has always wanted to see kids play sports. Had
the opportunity been there, Doris would have played on Ladies Softball
teams as a pitcher. Cec says that he never had the opportunity to
play sports.
These two individuals were extremely active in sports
in Wetaskiwin for more than 35 years., the Colwell's exemplified the meaning of unselfish
commitment to our sporting world. Their distinguished service was honoured as the first Inductees in The Special Awards Category.
Camraderie, team spirit, valuing every teammates strengths and abilities. Shared goals and sharing the burden of loss and the joy of winning.
In the 1968, the
Playboys played in many ball tournaments and were pretty successful. In their minds they were playing well enough to compete for the Provincial
Championship. But, it was too late to compete in
the playoffs.
After much discussion with those in charge of Softball
Alberta, they found out that the only way they could play in Provincials was to host the tournament. The team and coaches accepted the
conditions and the challenge and got to work. They had to get the
diamonds in shape and with the help of their parents, the community
league and community volunteers everything else was arranged in a short
period of time.
Falun did a great job of organizing and
hosting their first Provincial tournament......and the “underdog”
Playboys WON!
The Wetaskiwin
Composite High School Sabres football program dates back to 1953. Over the
decades there have been some powerful and successful teams. Under Norm Brown between 1954 to 1958
the Sabres had a run of five consecutive league championships, and from 1975 to
2006, the Sabres teams won 10 league championships. This 2006 football
team not only won the league championship but became the first and only WCHS
football team to win the Provincial Championship. The 2006 Sabre’s season
was perfect with a 12-0 win-loss record. Nine Sabres were named
CAHSFL All-Stars; Head Coach Don Loov was named Tier III Coach
of the Year honours at the 44th Annual Football Alberta Coaches’ Clinic and
Awards.
What made them a winning team? The players talked about their brotherhood what they learned from their mentors.
The 1981 Avalanche, coached by 2016 Inductee Larry Ethier, are the
most decorated Volleyball Team in Wetaskiwin’s history. Coaching and determination lead these boys all
the way to National Championships. Quoting the team in their acceptance speech they stated: "The original
Wetaskiwin volleyball club was called the Wetaskiwin Blues. Before we started the 1981 club tournament season, while
driving to a high school tournament at the end of the high
school season, I remember coach stating that the
name Blues didn’t sound tough or aggressive enough. He said
that he thought we needed a new team name. He asked the
players in his car that day with him to think about a new
name.
sS minute
or two passed. Duddenly, Larry blurted out … AVALANCHE! He said we
start as one small snowflake, and no one notices. But then
as we gain momentum...
The two Legion 86’s hockey teams that are being inducted tonight had it all. First of all, they had the “Ultimate Coaches”. Head Coach Brian Brown was always prepared, he studied his opposition to find out their weaknesses and always had a game plan. Secondly, the team had the “Ultimate Manager”. Bob Hartnell was, according to some of his players, “ahead of his time”. He made sure that both teams were always challenged so that they could improve. His preparation for each practice or game produced positive results and the teams alway found a way to persevere even in the face of adversity. Brian helped his players understand the sacrifices and the work ethic needed to succeed both as athletes and as people. With his “controlled intensity” style of coaching, winning became habit forming because...
More of the Story Team profilein 2011, the attendees of the Induction Banquet sat in awe, were inspired and entertained by the stories.
"I asked Rod if he had
any scrapbooks or news clippings. Well, I asked the wrong person." Asking his biggest fans and reading the scrapbooks they had I learned that "Rod was the kind of defenseman
that goalies love to have in front of them... the team player, there to do what ever it takes to help
his team win - things that go unnoticed on the score sheet..."
Rod stated: "The farm was a sports lover’s
dream. We had our own skating rink in winter and ball
diamond in the summer. Who wouldn’t succeed in sports with
your own training facility in your back yard... definitely was a big deal
to play in a organized hockey league ...and play in an indoor arena. I thought
that I had definitely reached the 'big times'... left at age 16"...
In accepting the Induction Award Phyllis Rattlesnake said: "Our father was a kind and humble man filled with laughter. Being the down to earth person, he spoke very little of his professional baseball career". The family learned from friends and strangers about Jimmy's legendary Sawdust Ball, why he was nicknamed "the Smilin' Rattler" and...
Read on
Kendra
Limneos
(Enarson) spoking on behalf of teammates offered insight into what it took to formulate a great team.
We started with a coach, who
after coaching men's teams, was used to no frills, no tears, no make-up and no
fancy hair bows. Coach E often said “ we will play like men in women's bodies”,
or how can we forget ...
Delve into the the stories of the Inductees
athletes athlete builders builders teams special awardExplore another feature of the WCSHF
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