BC Sports Hall of Fame Inducted 9 Individuals and 1 Team
Jun 03, 2015
Vancouver, B.C. (June 3, 2015) – The British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame formally inducted 9 individuals and one team as part of its 2015 class at the 47th Annual Banquet of Champions presented by Canadian Direct Insurance on Thursday, May 28, 2015. The Banquet of Champions was attended by 730 guests who through their attendance were supporting the newest group BC Sports Hall of Famers and the important programs offered by the Hall. The agenda for the evening was full with the official induction ceremonies, recognition of significant sport anniversaries, and speeches from special guests.
Induction recognizes excellence in sport, contribution to sport and the impact on sport in British Columbia, in the categories of athlete, builder, team, pioneer, and media. Induction into the BC Sports Hall of Fame is considered the highest sporting honour in British Columbia.
“I am extremely proud of our athletes, coaches and community sport builders inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame, said the Honourable Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “Each of these accomplished individuals underscores the strength of British Columbia’s sport development system. Their successes are a significant part of the incredible sport legacy we are building in this province.”
The Banquet of Champions is a key fundraiser for the BC Sports Hall of Fame and we are pleased to share the event raised $130,000 (net) for the organization and the programs offered by the Hall. This simply would not have been possible without the enthusiastic support of the our guests, donors, volunteers and sponsors. Special thanks go to our presenting sponsors of the Banquet of Champions, Canadian Direct Insurance.
“Canadian Direct Insurance prides itself on giving back in the communities we live and work in. We have supported the BC Hall of Fame for the past few years and are excited about being the presenting sponsors of the inspiring Banquet of Champions. The effort and commitment the newest inductees have shown over the course of their careers is inspiring and sets a great example to the youth of today of how sport can positively impact their lives. Congratulations to all of the 2015 inductees, thank you for generously sharing your stories during the memorable evening.” shared Colin Brown of Executive Officer of Canadian Direct Insurance.
“Congratulations to the 2015 Inductees to the BC Sports Hall of Fame, we are all so proud to share their exceptional stories at the Hall and in the community. We trust their induction will inspire all British Columbians to strive for excellence. These inductees represent the best of the best in British Columbia sport. We truly thank all of our guests, sponsors and volunteers for their support of the 47th Annual Banquet of Champions.” said Allison Mailer, Executive Director of the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
The 2015 induction class:
In the athlete category, five athletes – Shelley Winter Andrews (field hockey), Garett Hickling (wheelchair rugby), Paul Kariya (ice hockey), Denny Morrison (speed skating), and Leah Pells (athletics). In the builder category, John Haar (baseball) and Denny Veitch (all-round: rugby, soccer, football) have been selected. Selected for induction in the pioneer category is Duncan Campbell (wheelchair rugby) and J. Paul McConnell in the media category. The BC Members of the 2012 Canadian Olympic Women’s Soccer Team has been selected for induction in the team category (Karina LeBlanc, Sophie Schmidt, Christine Sinclair, Brittany Timko, Emily Zurrer.
For full Inductee biographies please visit http://www.bcsportshalloffame.com/inductees/inductees/inductees-by-year?year=2015
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About the BC Sports Hall of Fame
The BC Sports Hall of Fame is located at Gate “A” of BC Place with an inspiring Hall of Champions, Vancouver 2010 Gallery and many other exceptional galleries. The BC Sports Hall of Fame, a non-profit society, is the ‘go to’ organization for BC sport heritage. For over close to 50 year, we have honoured BC’s teams, builders, athletes, pioneers, and media through the annual induction ceremony the Banquet of Champions. To date 363 individuals and 58 teams have been inducted onto the BC Sports Hall of Fame. The collection of the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum includes over 25,000 artifacts and 20,000 archival documents representing 100 years of sporting accomplishments in British Columbia. In everything it does, the BC Sports Hall of Fame honours, educates, and inspires through the Hero In You Youth Education Programs. The BC Sports Hall of Fame is open daily at Gate A of BC Place from 10am-5pm. Go there. Experience. Be proud. Be inspired. For more information please visit: http://www.bcsportshalloffame.com follow us on twitter@bcsportshall and like us on facebook/bcsportshall
Media Contacts:
Cecilia Olmos
Media, Events Coordinator
BC Sports Hall of Fame
604-687-5520 extension 24
cecilia@bcsportshalloffame.com
Allison Mailer
Executive Director
BC Sports Hall of Fame
604-687-5520 extension 32
778-839-8576 cell
allison.mailer@bcsportshalloffame.com
