Author Archives: Shane Mailman

The Super Bowl is the annual championship matchup for the National Football League with the winning team taking home the Lombardi Trophy, one of the most prestigious awards in professional sports. As one of the most watched sporting events in the world each year, the Super Bowl has evolved into more than just a football game. Year-long anticipation of the Super Bowl culminates with two weeks of celebrations that infuse the host region with excitement in the lead-up to the most decisive game of the NFL season between the league’s two best teams. The San Francisco Bay Area served as the host region for Super Bowl 50 with Levi’s® Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, as the site of the game itself on February 7, 2016. As the NFL’s golden anniversary game, Super Bowl 50 carried with it a standard to pomp and excellence for all facets of the event.

With great fanfare came great expectations for fan fare. Game Day hospitality for VIP fans attending Super Bowl 50 required a certain level of comfort and convenience that incorporated such features as exclusive space, all-inclusive food and beverage, and pre-game entertainment. NFL On Location, the league’s source for event experience and hospitality at the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, Draft, and International Series games, provided such amenities by offering various hospitality packages for special events taking place around Levi’s Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday. The 49ers Museum presented by Sony was the premier destination for NFL On Location Hospitality. With 20,000 square feet of stadium space dedicated to 49ers education, innovation, and heritage, the Museum was a natural landing spot for the football fans that flock to the Super Bowl every year as well as those coming to cheer on the participating Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.  Planning began in July 2015 to convert the Museum into a pre- and post-game hospitality space for Super Bowl 50. The Event team from NFL On Location visited the Museum on several occasions and became ever more impressed with the space and how it operated. Since the Museum’s distinctive design projects an ambiance all its own, only a few décor enhancements were added in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl to get the space ready for the big day. Of the additions made was a black and gold color motif peppered throughout the space using cocktail tables, floral arrangements, and lighting design. Super Bowl 50 logo graphics were applied to glass surfaces to connect the space to the event taking place  on the Levi’s® Stadium field. Much to the appreciation of the Museum staff, the overall character of the Museum and the rich, visual representation of 49ers history were left intact.

Over 700 guests explored the Museum space in the hours before Super Bowl 50 kicked off, enjoying hosted bars and various food stations positioned throughout the Museum’s 11 galleries. Live television feed was projected onto large screens so fans would not miss a minute of the game’s lead-up coverage. The Morabito Theater, which normally shows the 49ers Signature Film, was utilized as a presentation space for former Denver Broncos Tight End and Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe to speak about his football career and Super Bowl experiences as an added bonus to the hospitality event’s distinctiveness. Guests took in state-of-the-art technology and exhibits while experiencing all that the Museum had to offer. Though the Museum is steeped in 49ers lore, it is nevertheless an institution of sports heritage that was enjoyed by fans of all affiliations on Super Bowl Sunday. Any football aficionado can appreciate the impact that the San Francisco 49ers franchise has had on the game of football: its origins as one of the first professional clubs on the west coast, storied player, coaches, and executives, unprecedented championship success in the 1980s, and even today with its development  of the most high-tech venue in the NFL. Levi’s® Stadium and the 49ers Museum, the perfect blend of tradition and innovation, was the perfect setting host to Super Bowl 50, the NFL’s milestone game celebrating not only a season of triumph but also fifty years of gridiron achievement.

Former pro basketball player Ann Meyers Drysdale, veteran hockey player Joe Kocur, pro football placekicker Chester Marcol, longtime college water polo coach Monte Nitzkowski and sports car driver Tony Adamowicz have been elected into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame for 2016.

Ann Meyers Drysdale was a four-time All-America basketball player at UCLA leading the Bruins to the National Championship in 1978.  An integral part of 1976 Olympic team that won the silver medal, Meyers Drysdale was the number one pick in the Women’s Pro Basketball League in 1978 and named league co-MVP in 1980.

Joe Kocur was a six foot, 220 pound right winger drafted in 1983 by the Detroit Red Wings as the 88th overall pick.  He played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Red Wings, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks.  Kocur was a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, first with the Rangers in 1994, and in 1997 and 1998 during his second stint with the Red Wings.

Chester Marcol kicked in college at Hillsdale where he was a four-time All-American.  Drafted in the second round of the 1972 NFL draft (34th overall), he was the second-highest draft selection in league history at his position.  During his nine year career, he kicked 129 field goals. Marcol twice led the NFL in scoring for the Green Bay Packers, was named NFC Rookie of the Year and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1972 and 1974.

Monte Nitzkowski was a two-time All-America swimmer and water polo player at UCLA and member of the 1952 U.S. Olympic team swimming the butterfly.  He coached water polo at Long Beach City College from 1955 to 1989 winning 32 conference championships.  He served as the U.S. National water polo coach from 1967-1984, coaching in four Olympics.  He also coached in five Pan American games where his teams won four gold medals.

Tony Adamowicz began a storied racing career in 1963 and was highlighted by several major professional driving titles.  He won the 1969 Formula 5000 Championship, the Trans Am season championship and three International Motor Sports Association season championships.

The awards will be presented to the recipients at the 44th Annual Induction Banquet on Thursday, June 23, 2016, at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy, Michigan.  Tickets for the banquet, which begins at 6 p.m., are $100 and can be ordered by calling (313) 407-3300.  Information about the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame is available at www.polishsportshof.com.

 

 

On January 15, 2016, Hockey Hall of Fame Curator Phil Pritchard added a 2015 Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Championship ring to the Stanley Cup Championship ring display at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The 14 karat white gold ring that boasts 355 custom princess-cut diamonds was added to the Stanley Cup Championship Ring Display in the NHL Zone which also features past Stanley Cup champions, including the first-ever Stanley Cup ring (1893) Billy Barlow (MAAA); Bill Hay’s 1961 ring (CHI); Daryl “Doc” Seaman’s 1989 ring (CGY) and Bob Johnson’s 1991 ring (PIT). The display also contains rings from the 1981,82,83, (NYI), 97,98, 02 (DET) 2007 (ANA), 2008 (DET), 2009 (PIT), 2010 (CHI), 2011 (BOS), 2012 (LA), 2013 (CHI) and 2014 (LA) Stanley Cup Champions, which were all donated by the owners or management of the teams.

“We are very grateful to the Blackhawks organization, especially, Rocky Wirtz, John McDonough, Jay Blunk, Stan Bowman, Al MacIsaac and Norm Maciver,” said Pritchard. “The 2015 Championship ring makes a great addition to the Stanley Cup Championship display. Our guests, who visit us from around the world, will be thrilled to be able to view it.“

St. Marys, Ont. – It’s one of the most diverse inductee classes in the 33-year history of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Ex-Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen and former Montreal Expos hurler Dennis Martinez will be inducted in a ceremony on June 18 in St. Marys, Ont., along with trailblazing Canadian scout Wayne Norton (Port Moody, B.C.), long-time Blue Jays executive Howard Starkman (Toronto, Ont.) and early Blue Jays TV analyst Tony Kubek. Baseball pioneer William Shuttleworth (Brantford, Ont.) will also be enshrined posthumously.

“We’re proud to honour such a diverse class. Each of the new inductees has made a significant contribution to baseball in Canada in their own unique way,” said Scott Crawford, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s director of operations. “We’re looking forward to celebrating their careers in St. Marys this June.”

The induction ceremony will be part of a festival of events that will also include a celebrity slo-pitch game and home run derby (June 16), the Hall’s 20th annual celebrity golf tournament and banquet (June 17) and a Downtown Family Baseball Street Festival (June 18).

2016 Inductee Bios

Pat Hentgen

Born in 1968 in Detroit, Mich., Hentgen has been part of the Toronto Blue Jays organization as a player, coach, ambassador or special assistant for 26 years. The intense right-hander was selected by the Blue Jays in the fifth round of the 1986 MLB amateur draft and he saw his first regular big league action with the club in 1992 when he pitched 28 games, primarily out of the bullpen, for the franchise’s first World Series-winning squad.

In the ensuing season, he was inserted into the rotation and blossomed into an all-star, registering 19 regular season victories and winning Game 3 of the World Series to help the Blue Jays capture their second consecutive championship. From there, the 6-foot-2 righty evolved into the club’s ace. After being selected to his second all-star game in 1994, Hentgen won 20 games and topped the American League in innings pitched (265-2/3), complete games (10) and shutouts (3) in 1996 to become the first Blue Jay to win the American League Cy Young Award. For an encore, he led the American League in games started (35), innings pitched (264), complete games (9) and shutouts (3) again in 1997.

In all, in 10 seasons with the Blue Jays, Hentgen registered 107 wins (fifth-most in franchise history). He also ranks fifth all-time amongst Blue Jays hurlers in games started (238), innings pitched (1,636), strikeouts (1,028) and shutouts (9).

Hentgen also pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals (2000) and Baltimore Orioles (2001 to 2003) during his 14-year major league career. After hanging up his playing spikes, he returned to the Blue Jays to work as a spring training instructor and he’d later serve as a team ambassador and as the club’s bullpen coach. He’s currently a special assistant with the team.

“When I was told the news about being inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, I thought, ‘What an honour!’” said Hentgen.  “I’m looking forward to a great weekend.”

Dennis Martinez

Born in 1954 in Granada, Nicaragua, Martinez recorded 100 wins (second-most in franchise history) in parts of eight seasons with the Montreal Expos from 1986 to 1993. The durable right-hander also ranks second all-time amongst Expos pitchers in games started (233) and innings pitched (1,609) and third in strikeouts (973), complete games (41) and shutouts (13). Nicknamed “El Presidente,” Martinez was the first Nicaraguan to play in the major leagues, and when he tossed a perfect game on July 28, 1991 – the only one in Expos history – the club’s play-by-play man and 2014 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Dave Van Horne famously quipped “El Presidente, El Perfecto.”

During his tenure with the Expos, Martinez was selected to three all-star games (1990 to 1992) and in 1991, he topped the National League in ERA (2.39), complete games (9) and shutouts (5). In his eight seasons with Montreal, he posted a combined 3.06 ERA and won 10 or more games seven times and 15 or more four times.

Martinez was traded to Montreal on June 16, 1986 after accumulating 108 wins in his first 11 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. In also registering 100 wins for the Expos, Martinez became one of only 10 pitchers to reach the century mark in wins in both the National League and American League. He also toed the rubber for the Cleveland Indians (1994 to 1996), Seattle Mariners (1997) and Atlanta Braves (1998) during his 23-year major league career and finished with 245 victories, which ranks 52nd all-time.

Martinez was also active in charitable endeavors, establishing the Dennis Martinez Foundation to aid underprivileged children around the world. In recent years, he has served as the manager of the Nicaraguan national team and as a pitching instructor in the Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals organizations. He was also the bullpen coach of the Houston Astros in 2013.

Wayne Norton

Born in 1942 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Norton played in 1,206 minor league games – including five seasons in Triple-A – before becoming a trailblazing baseball executive and scout in Canada. In the mid-1970s, Norton founded and established Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team and he became a long-time coach and manager for the organization, while doubling as a part-time scout for the Montreal Expos. He also managed Canada’s Pan Am Games team in 1975, prior to helping to launch Baseball B.C. two years later. In the late 1970s, he was enlisted to create and write Baseball Canada’s first coaching manuals and many of the guidelines from those are still employed today.

In 1986, Norton established the National Baseball Institute (NBI) in Vancouver and hired 2007 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee John Haar to be the first coach. The NBI evolved into the best baseball academy ever created in Canada and is often cited as the standard for similar facilities. Among the NBI graduates to play in the big leagues are 2015 Canadian Baseball Hall of Famers Matt Stairs (Fredericton, N.B.) and Corey Koskie (Anola, Man.), as well as Denis Boucher (Montreal, Que.), Steve Sinclair (Victoria, B.C.), Paul Spoljaric (Kelowna, B.C.), Rob Butler (East York, Ont.), Jason Dickson (Miramichi, N.B.), Aaron Guiel (Vancouver, B.C.) and Derek Aucoin (Lachine, Que.).

After leaving the NBI in 1994, Norton evolved into one of Canada’s most respected baseball scouts. Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Pat Gillick hired Norton to scout for the Baltimore Orioles from 1996 to 1999 and when Gillick accepted the Seattle Mariners’ general manager position in 2000, he brought Norton with him. Norton has served as a scout for the Seattle Mariners since 2000 and has signed several Canadians, including Michael Saunders (Victoria, B.C.), Phillippe Aumont (Gatineau, Que.), Tyson Gillies (Vancouver, B.C.) and Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, B.C.). For his excellence in scouting, Norton was named Mariners’ International Scout of the Year in 2007 and Canadian Scout of the Year by the Canadian Baseball Network in 1998 and 2013.

“The phone call informing me of my induction made me very happy,” said Norton. “It will certainly be an honour to be included in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. I am extremely grateful to my friends who nominated me, and to my baseball colleagues and family who supported my nomination. Their regard means a great deal to me. It is gratifying to have my contributions to baseball in Canada recognized and valued by my peers and acknowledged by the selection committee. I look forward to what promises to be a fantastic couple of days in St. Marys!”

Howard Starkman

Born in Toronto in 1945, Starkman has spent four decades as an executive with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was initially hired as director of public relations on July 4, 1976 and he served in that capacity until 1998. In that role, he was in charge of media relations, broadcasting, travel and team publications. He was also responsible for the club’s “Name the team” contest prior to the inaugural season that resulted in the Blue Jays name.

Starkman also played key behind-the-scenes roles in the Blue Jays’ first games at Exhibition Stadium and the SkyDome and in their playoff and World Series appearances through 1993. He also doubled as a public relations official for Major League Baseball for 15 World Series and 10 All-Star games. For his efforts, he was presented with the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Robert O. Fishel Award in 1995, an honour that’s bestowed annually for excellence in public relations. Six years later, he was honoured with a 25-year service award from Major League Baseball.

In 1999, Starkman was elevated to vice-president of media relations with the Blue Jays, before transitioning to vice-president, special projects from 2002 to 2014. Widely respected by his colleagues and the media, Starkman has twice (1980, 1996) been honoured with the Good Guy Award by the Toronto chapter of baseball writers and in 2012, he received the President’s Award from Sports Media Canada for his career accomplishments.

In 2014, the Blue Jays established the Howard Starkman Award and named Starkman the first recipient. This award is handed out annually to the Blue Jays Employee of the Year “who best exemplifies the values of integrity, innovation, accountability, team work and a passion for winning.”

“I am truly honoured to be selected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame,” said Starkman, who continues to serve as a consultant with the Blue Jays. “I have been with the Blue Jays for 40 years and it is beyond belief and very gratifying that my contributions are being so recognized. It is very humbling and I’m proud to be included with so many illustrious players, executives and baseball dignitaries who have meant so much to baseball in Canada.”

Tony Kubek

Born in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1935, Kubek won three World Series as a shortstop with the New York Yankees between 1957 and 1965 before becoming a popular broadcaster for NBC. He spent 25 seasons behind the mike for the network and called 11 World Series and 10 All-Star games, as well as the Saturday afternoon “Game of the Week.” Along the way, he teamed with legendary play-by-play men like Jim Simpson, Curt Gowdy and Bob Costas.

The Toronto Blue Jays were fortunate to land Kubek as an analyst on their TV broadcasts in 1977 and during his 13 seasons in the booth for the club, he educated tens of thousands of Canadian viewers on CTV and TSN about the sport. On top of the insights he could provide as a former player, Kubek’s no-nonsense style and quick and extensive analysis made him one of the best and most respected analysts of his era. While with the Blue Jays, aside from his analysis, he was one of the first broadcasters to ask to communicate with the director in the production truck to suggest camera shots during the game that would improve the broadcast.

For his efforts, Kubek was the first broadcaster to work exclusively as a TV analyst to win the National Baseball of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence in 2009. He was also the first Ford C. Frick Award winner to have called games for a Canadian team. Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductees Tom Cheek (2013) and Dave Van Horne (2014) have also since been honoured.

After he left the Blue Jays, Kubek served as an analyst on New York Yankees games on the MSG Network for five seasons, prior to retiring in 1994.

“Overwhelmed, in a positive sense,” said Kubek when asked about how he felt about his induction in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. “Unexpected, because I was doing exactly what I’ve loved doing for much of my life, playing, watching and talking baseball. I had flashbacks of watching a young team being transformed into a winner. I’m grateful for being accepted by Canadian baseball fans, and for this wonderful honor. When I was asked to consider the job with the Blue Jays, I talked to Elston Howard, a teammate and great Yankee, who starred with the Triple-A, International League Toronto Maple Leafs. He said, ‘You gotta take it, they’re the best fans, a friendly city; they know their baseball.’ Ellie was right.”

William Shuttleworth

Born in Brantford, Ont., in 1834, Shuttleworth has been called the “Father of Canadian Baseball.” His contributions to baseball in Canada have come to light in recent years thanks to research by noted Canadian historian Bill Humber.

When Shuttleworth was living in Hamilton, Ont., in 1854, he organized Canada’s first formal baseball team, which was called the Young Canadians of Hamilton. From 1854 through the 1870s, Shuttleworth was a driving force behind the sport in Canada and he served as vice-president of the first Canadian baseball organization in 1864.

As founder of the Young Canadians, he transitioned the team from the old Canadian rules – 11 players on each team, two-inning games – to the New York rules (which are essentially the rules of today’s game) in 1860. But Shuttleworth was not just an organizer, he was also a catcher and leadoff hitter who participated in the second-ever international baseball game in 1860 which took place a few weeks after the first game that featured a rival Hamilton team. While he was still active as a player, he doubled as the president of the Young Canadians (the team changed its name to Maple Leafs in 1862) from 1860 to 1871.

Shuttleworth was also a member of the Ontario team (Hamilton and Guelph players) that finished third in a major Detroit baseball tournament in 1867. Shuttleworth also umpired important games throughout the 1860s, including a Guelph-Woodstock championship match in 1868.

Shuttleworth eventually moved to Geneva, N.Y. in 1893 to live with his son. He passed away on March 31, 1903 and is buried in Hamilton, Ont. He was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

 

snoopy-kkWhile most readers might associate Peanuts with the game of baseball, other sports also figured prominently in Charles Schulz’s comic strip. Schulz created over 250 football-themed Peanuts comic strips and his “Fall Classic”—Lucy pulling the ball away from Charlie Brown just as he runs up to kick it—became a rite of autumn in American pop culture.

Schulz’s other football-themed strips are equally memorable forPeanuts aficionados. Who can soon forget the “Mad Punters’” exuberant capers, Woodstock’s valiant gridiron efforts, Marcie’s total ineptitude at the game, or the passion and ferocity which marked Peppermint Patty’s play?

The 50 Sunday and daily strips in this exhibition demonstrate the fun Schulz had with the sport and explore his wonderful world of Pigskin Peanuts. Visitors will also enjoy viewing football themed Peanuts objects and ephemera; dressing up in the team locker room; taking a photo-op on a football trading card; and trying their own hand at “pulling the football” from Charlie Brown.

The exhibit is on display through April 30. 

Pigskin Peanutsis organized and toured by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, Santa Rosa, California.

 

Join The Sports Museum and The Boston Globe as we present Teammates: Voices from Title IX, a part of the Legendary Lunch Series, presented by Iron Mountain. Ticket includes a buffet-style lunch while hearing from our panel of established women in sports, as well as an exclusive first look at The Sports Museum’s new exhibit on women’s sports in the Title IX era.

Panel Includes: Lesley Visser, Angela Ruggerio, Daynia La-Force, Amy Latimer, and Jackie MacMullan.

Tickets can be purchased at http://bit.ly/23NlRvz

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT: SCOTT WATERS

2016 is sure to be an exciting and a historic year, marking the 50th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF). Celebrations are currently underway, having officially begun in January with the first of our 12 Months, 12 Events initiative.  The SSHF is also planning a Traveling Exhibit, scheduled to visit dozens of communities across Saskatchewan between July and October. More details will be announced in spring, 2016.

 
The 50th anniversary celebration culminates September 30, 2016 with a formal gala, along with other events. Full details of the 50th anniversary celebrations will be updated regularly on the SSHF’s website at www.sasksportshalloffame.com. While the 50th anniversary celebrations are currently at the forefront, we also remain focused on regular day-to-day operations and are busy planning many other exciting events for 2017 and beyond.  As mentioned in an earlier message the SSHF has undergone great transition and improvements in recent years, and the staff and Board of Directors remain focused on providing visitor enhancements to the SSHF, and continuing to deliver a great product to our members and to the public at-large.

 

I would like to formally welcome a new member to the Board of Directors, and also acknowledge and thank two long-serving members of the Board who recently resigned. Joining the board is Kevin Dureau of Regina. We look forward to working with Kevin and are excited about the passion, experience and perspective he will bring to the organization.  I would also like to thank two board members who recently stepped down; Vance McNab and Hugh Vassos, who completed four and eleven years of service, respectively. During their tenure each contributed greatly to the SSHF, serving on several committees and in various roles, with Hugh Vassos recently serving as President and then as Past President of the SSHF.

 

The Board of Directors and staff of the SSHF held their annual retreat January 8th and 9th at Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa at Manitou Beach.  Much was accomplished and a good time was had by all.  We had the added delight of being joined for lunch by SSHF inductee Leroy Coates and his wife, Marlene (pictured) who currently reside in nearby Watrous.

 

On behalf of the SSHF Board of Directors I would like to wish you the best for the remainder of the winter season and upcoming spring season.  Please stay in touch and stay connected with the SSHF (and encourage friends and family to do the same) through our Social Media channels.

Website: www.sasksportshalloffame.com

Facebook: SaskSportsHF

Instagram: SaskSportsHF

Twitter: @SaskSportsHF

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12 MONTHS, 12 EVENTS: HOCKEY DAY IN SASKATCHEWAN

Throughout 2016, the SSHF will be selecting one special event each month to feature in our “12 Months, 12 Events” 50th anniversary project – dedicated to all 505 of our inductees and Saskatchewan’s rich sport history. Our first event of the year served to celebrate Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.

A day of celebration began at the SSHF, with the arrival of inductee Ed Staniowski. Ed flew in from Ontario for the event, and was gracious enough to spend the entire day with the SSHF staff. The day’s activities began at 11:00am when Global Regina came to interview Ed as the first in a series of 12 Player Profiles that they will run throughout the year as part of our 50th celebration. Ed then visited his former high school, Martin Collegiate, where he had the chance to speak with young hockey players enrolled in the Academy. The day concluded with an event at Peak Performance Hockey, which included a Fan Forum featuring three members of the 1974 Memorial Cup winning Regina Pats: Staniowski, Kim MacDougall and Drew Callander. Former Pats Captain, Frank Kovacs, and Pats Alumni, Kyle Ross, also joined as panelists.

It was a great night filled with memories, reconnecting and reminiscing. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to help celebrate our 50th, watch for our next 12 Months, 12 Events announcement on social media!

SSHF RECIEVES SPONSORSHIP FROM INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION (ISC)

We are very pleased to announce our newest All Star sponsor, ISC – an organization that passionately supports initiatives that preserve and promote the rich heritage of Saskatchewan.

As the safe keeper of historical documents like land grants, titles, maps and photos, ISC recognizes the importance of preserving Saskatchewan history.

“Heritage is how we came to be, who we are today and what we will become in the future,” said Jeff Stusek, ISC President and CEO. “It’s our business to preserve and celebrate heritage, and it’s also our responsibility. That’s why the partnership with the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame is such a good fit for ISC.”

ISC’s sponsorship is already making an impact at the SSHF. With the help of their generosity, six multi-media monitors have been installed in the galleries. These monitors allow us to create multi-media presentations, providing for expanded exhibit capabilities of the collection, which our physical space doesn’t allow for. Current feature exhibits all benefit from this new presentation format, which has also greatly enhanced our interactive visitor experience.

“On behalf of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, I would like to thank Information Services Corporation for entering into a partnership with the SSHF,” said Scott Waters, SSHF Board President. “A partnership between ISC and the SSHF will further the preservation and celebration of sport and sport heritage in Saskatchewan.”

SSHF WINS THIRD “ISHY” IN FIVE YEARS

We are pleased to announce that The Spirit of ’89: Memories from the 1989 Jeux Canada Summer Games, co-published by the SSHF and The 1989 Jeux Canada Games Foundation, has been awarded an “ISHY” from the International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA) as the best book publication in the industry for institutions with a budget greater than $250,000 US.
Publications are adjudicated by our peers in the industry on the basis of how well they feature a member institution, collection, resources and/or inductees of the Hall of Fame.

The SSHF is dedicated to the celebration and interpretation of sport excellence and preserving the sport history of our province.  One of the means by which we achieve our mandate is through our Sport History Project (SHP) which allows us to capture the history of organizations or events through different mediums. The Spirit of ’89 was produced under the auspices of the SHP and was written to capture the history of a major sporting event in Saskatchewan and Canada; to showcase the spirit of the people of Saskatoon in hosting the Games; and to commemorate the significant legacy components of the Games.  Not only did the Canada Games leave Saskatoon with a wealth of facilities after the Games, the prudent financial stewardship of the Games resulted in a net profit of $1,319,663 from a $24 million+ budget.  These funds, invested wisely, have resulted in $100,000 worth of grants being distributed annually to amateur sport programs throughout Saskatchewan resulting in the continued development of sport and providing opportunities to future world class athletes.  The legacy of the Games continues.

Ironically, in capturing the history of the 1989 Jeux Canada Games, The Spirit of ’89 also captured historical anecdotes for a number of our hall of famers.  Forty-two inductees, out of 498 at the time of publication, are represented in the book.

The ISHY Awards were announced at ISHA’s annual conference hosted by the World of Little League Museum in Williamsport, PA, in October 2015.

ISHA is a membership organization incorporated in 1971 to assist sport museums and halls of fame to develop, operate and promote their facilities in the best way possible.  Member institutions are currently located throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia and New Zealand.

Photo: Collection of two previous “ISHY” Awards, next to a copy of “The Spirit of ’89: Memories from the 1989 Jeux Canada Summer Games”, which was awarded a third “ISHY” for the SSHF. Photo courtesy of the SSHF archives.

TWO NEW EXHIBITS NOW OPEN: “EXCEPTIONALLY-ABLED” AND “INDUCTEES THROUGH THE DECADES”

Our newest exhibit in Gallery 3, “Exceptionally-Abled”, is officially open to the public! On display until April 4th is a celebration of the accomplishments made by athletes with disabilities. This exhibit features sport-specific displays with everything from wheelchair tennis, to para water skiing, para athletics and so much more.

Our feature Gallery has also been given a facelift. To celebrate all of our wonderful inductees throughout 2016, a rotating display has been installed in Gallery 1. “Inductees Through the Decades” will rotate every three months to display the inductees from each decade: 60s/70s, 80s, 90s, 00/10s.

Come in during our regular gallery hours to marvel at these amazing artifacts! Don’t wait, many of the artifacts in Gallery 3 have been graciously loaned to us, and may not be on display at the Hall again!

For more information on our exhibits, please visit our website: http://sasksportshalloffame.com/exhibits/

Photos: Left – A close up of the Sochi case featured in our “Exceptionally-Abled” exhibit. Right – A panoramic view of Gallery 3.  Photos courtesy of the SSHF archives.

INDUCTEE NOTES

Congratulations are extended to the following honoured members of the SSHF, who have been announced as part of the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame’s 2016 Induction Class.

Orland Kurtenbach (1957 Flin Flon Bombers – Hockey 2009 and Athlete – Hockey 2012) a double inductee of the SSHF, Kurtenbach was the inaugural captain for the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks from 1970 until his retirement in 1974. Since retiring from the game, Kurtenbach found a passion for coaching, and became the first Canucks player inducted into the teams’ Ring of Honour.

Robert “Bob” Turner (1974 Regina Pats – Hockey 1980 and Athlete – Hockey 1994) fellow SSHF double inductee, a native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Turner spent time with the Regina Capitals of the Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League before transitioning to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. Turner is one of only 12 players who was with the Canadiens for all five of their consecutive Stanley Cup victories. After retiring in 1964, Turner returned to his home town, where he coached the Regina Pats for nine years, leading the team to a Memorial Cup victory in 1974.

Dwight McMillan (1984 Weyburn Red Wings – Hockey 1995) is being honored for his historic involvement with the Weyburn Red Wings Hockey Club. After playing with the club during their inaugural year in 1961, McMillan would eventually become the team’s head coach in 1972. Although he missed a few years over nearly four decades of involvement, McMillan coached the team for 25 years straight, and became one of a very select group of individuals in all of hockey to record 1000 wins.

Terry O’Malley (1968 Canada’s Men’s Hockey Team Saskatchewan Participants – Hockey 1980), inducted to the SSHF as a team member of the 1968 Canadian Olympic Hockey team, O’Malley is being inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame because of his contributions as a builder. O’Malley spent 23 years at the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame as a coach, teacher and administrator, helping to shape the careers of many student-athletes.

1983-84 Weyburn Red Wings Hockey Club (Hockey – 1995), one of the teams that McMillan coached is also being recognized by the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame. The 1984 Red Wings captured three titles in just one season, winning the Provincial, Western Canadian and National Championships.

1956-57 Flin Flon Bombers Junior Hockey Team (Hockey – 2009), in what became an instant classic, the ’57 Flin Flon Bombers defeated the Ottawa Canadiens in a seven-game series to win the Memorial Cup. Numerous players from the squad went on to have professional careers in hockey including Mel Pearson, Teddy Hampson, Patty Ginnell, George Konik, Duane Rupp, Jean Gauthier and fellow 2016 inductee Orland Kurtenbach.

Photo: Right – The 1957 Flin Flon Bombers celebrating their Memorial Cup Win. Photo courtesy of SSHF archives.

IN MEMORIAM

The members of the Board and staff extend their sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Del, Bert, Don and Sam.

Del Wilson (1974 Regina Pats – Hockey 1980 and Builder – Hockey 2010), a double inductee of the SSHF, co-founder of the WHL and instrumental General Manager of the Regina Pats, Wilson was widely recognized in the hockey community. Wilson will always be remembered for his incredible contributions to junior hockey, he passed away November 5, 2015 at the age of 88.

Bert Olmstead (Hockey – 1998), a decorated hockey player from Sceptre, Saskatchewan, Olmstead played in 11 Stanley Cup finals, winning five Cups – four with the Montreal Canadiens and one with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Known in the hockey world as “Dirty Bertie” because of his aggressive playing style, Olmstead was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. He passed away on November 16, 2015 at the age of 89.

Don Brownell (1954 Bayne Secord Saskatoon Technical Collegiate Curling Team – 1998), a farm boy from Delisle, Saskatchewan, Brownell led his curling team, alongside Stan Austman (second), Ken Moir (coach), Don Snyder (third) and Bayne Secord (skip), to the National School Boys Championship in 1954. Brownell recently celebrated his sixtieth wedding anniversary in October. He passed away on January 11, 2016 at the age of 80.

Garnet “Sam” Richardson (Curling – 1973), known for his talent on the ice, Sam was one quarter of the famous Richardson Curlers, along with Wes, Arnie and Ernie. Sam also had the unique ability to captivate an audience and was a highly sought-after guest speaker. He passed away on January 21, 2016 at the age of 82.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 21 – World Women’s Curling Championships Special Event: From March 19-27, Swift Current will be home to the 2016 Ford World Women’s Curling Championships. This marks the second time that the Championships will be held in Swift Current. Speedy Creek also hosted the tournament in 2010, and efforts were made shortly after to bring the tournament back because of its success. With 43 curling inductees recognized at the SSHF, every effort will be made to bring many of them together to be part of the Championships, and celebrate the SSHF’s 50th on March 21.

April 14-17 – Keystone Cup Junior B Hockey Championships: Since the Cup’s inception, 2016 represents the first time this prestigious championship has been decided in Regina. The Extreme Hockey Regina Capitals will be hosting the 2016 Keystone Cup at the Co-operators Centre from April 14-17. Since 1983 the Keystone Cup has been awarded to the top junior B team from Western Canada and Northwestern Ontario.  In total, 14 of our inductees have a connection to what is now the Prairie Junior Hockey League. The SSHF would like to celebrate these inductees through a number of initiatives to be hosted at the Co-operators Centre during April 14-17, 2016. Stay tuned for more details.
April & May – Heritage Fairs: The SSHF is extremely excited to be involved in the Heritage Fairs held throughout the province this year. For the first time in the history of the Fairs, a Sports specific award is being presented to a student during each Regional Fair (Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Swift Current), and at the Provincial Fair held in Regina. We are thrilled about the opportunity for a standalone Sports Award and look forward to involving inductees in the presentation and judging of the awards.
June 1 – Annual General Meeting: All members of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame are welcome to attend the AGM.
September 30 – 50th Anniversary Gala: Save the date! You won’t want to miss our 50th Anniversary Gala. More details will be announced shortly.

DIAMOND GIRLS
Throughout our 50th anniversary the primary goal of the SSHF is to celebrate our inductees and showcase their back stories and accomplishments for the people of Saskatchewan. One very unique opportunity presented itself when Menagerie Productions and playwright, Maureen Ulrich, proposed a one-act, one-woman play featuring the Saskatchewan connection to the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League as a project to be pursued through the SSHF’s Sport History grant.  With the support of Softball Saskatchewan, Women in Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation, and Saskatchewan Lotteries the project has become a reality.  Here is Maureen’s back story to this unique 50th anniversary project.

DIAMOND GIRLS: DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH
Writing a one-act, one-woman show about the rise and fall of a baseball league is challenging, especially when eighteen players plus officials, fans, and coaches are required to play an actual game. Diamond Girls focuses on the involvement of three Saskatchewan women – Arleene Johnson Noga, Mary Baker, and Daisy Junor – who participated in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) during the 1940’s.

My relationship with Diamond Girls began with a Leader-Post article about a dedication to Mary Baker at Central Park, Regina. A League of Their Own is one of my favourite movies – and I wanted to learn more about the role Mary and other Saskatchewan women played in the AAGPBL.

It has been thrilling and sobering to get to know them through nonfiction books, newspaper and magazine articles, yearbooks, letters, photographs, and interviews with their families and Arleene herself. Mary, Arleene, and Daisy not only played in the AAGPBL – they were stars. Furthermore they didn’t stop competing when their pro baseball careers ended.

I deeply regret never starting down this path sixteen years ago when I first met Arleene – when many of the Saskatchewan ladies were still alive – but it simply did not occur to me. Nevertheless, Arleene, who played ball for six decades, has lost none of her passion or loyalty towards a league that sent her on countless road trips, many miles from home, to play in front of thousands of fans and set fielding records. In sportswriter Ned Powers’ words, “There are a few women who could play a position as well as a man, and Arleene was one of them.” Yes, Arleene has fueled my fire to get these three characters on stage as quickly as possible.

My first draft merely told their stories, but over time their competitive, vibrant, baseball savvy personalities have emerged, showing the audience how unique their experiences truly were. A process of continual revision has begun, as each word of dialogue and direction is carefully considered. How can I provide actress Colleen Sutton (RiderGirl) with the tools she needs to create clear and lasting images in the minds of her audience? After all she will be roleplaying multiple characters in a variety of settings – baseball diamonds and hotel rooms, even a television game show. Naturally I will lean heavily on Colleen’s comedic and dramatic expertise. It is our goal to make every “inning” of Diamond Girls (yes, there are nine!) funny, gritty, enlightening, or poignant.

Like the AAGPBL teams, Diamond Girls will be on the road most of the summer.  Therefore, the set design must be minimal. Projections will be used at the beginning of the play both to create nostalgia and to acquaint the audience with the faces of all 25 Saskatchewan players. Two AAGPBL uniforms will be fabricated, as damage or loss of this important element would be devastating.

We are four months away from our first rehearsal in Estevan, but the groundwork for a solid, accurate, and entertaining story is slowly and carefully being laid. We hope you will see Diamond Girls if it travels to a community near yours. If you are interested in hosting a performance, please contact me or Sheila Kelly, as the tour schedule is still evolving.

I am indebted to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF), the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Softball Saskatchewan, Women in Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation, and Saskatchewan Lotteries for their enthusiastic assistance and support. I especially look forward to helping the SSHF celebrate its 50th anniversary year.

Maureen Ulrich [email protected]

Current Tour Locations and Dates

Estevan (Souris Valley Theatre) – June 2016 (exact dates TBA)

Regina Fringe Festival – July 6-10

Weyburn (Tommy Douglas Performing Arts Centre) – June 27

Winnipeg Fringe Festival – July 13-24

Assiniboia (Olympia Theatre) – June 28

Edmonton Fringe Festival – August 11-21

Regina (The Artesian) – June 30

Saskatoon (Broadway Theatre) August 28

GEORGIA SPORTS HALL OF FAME HONORS COURT SELECTS EIGHT FOR INDUCTION

Induction Ceremony to take place Saturday, February 27th at Macon City Auditorium

MACON, GA – The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Honors Court has selected eight new members for the state’s athletic Hall of Fame.  Members of the Class of 2016 are basketball player/contributor Michael Glenn, baseball player Chipper Jones, basketball player Patricia Roberts, football player Jimmy Robinson, sports broadcaster/journalist Phil Schaefer, football player Hines Ward, football coach Luther Welsh, and basketball coach/contributor Glenn Wilkes.  The inductees were chosen from a starting pool of 195 nominees that were narrowed through a three-tiered screening process culminating with the Honors Court meeting.

An outstanding basketball player at Coosa High School in Rome, Georgia, Michael Glenn became an Academic All-American at Southern Illinois University where he finished his collegiate basketball career as the school’s second all-time leading scorer.  After playing ten seasons in the NBA, including four seasons with the Atlanta Hawks (1981-85), Glenn organized the Mike Glenn All-Star Basketball Camp for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the country’s first basketball camp for deaf and hard of hearing teenagers.

A baseball, football, and basketball player at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, Chipper Jones was selected as the first overall pick by the Atlanta Braves in the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft.  In eighteen full seasons with the Braves (1995-2012), Jones accumulated 2,726 hits, 468 home runs, and a lifetime batting average of .303.  The 1999 National League MVP, Jones was also an eight-time All-Star and a member of the Braves’ 1995 World Series Championship team.

A native of Monroe, Georgia, Patricia Roberts began her collegiate basketball career at North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia, before playing her final season at the University of Tennessee.  As an All-American forward with the Lady Volunteers, Roberts set numerous school records including most points in a game (51), most rebounds in a game (24), and most points in a season (987).  A member of the silver medal-winning 1976 Olympic U.S. Women’s Basketball team, Roberts spent several seasons playing professional basketball before becoming a basketball coach.

Born in New York, New York, Jimmy Robinson played football, basketball, baseball, and track & field as a multiple-sport athlete at Atlanta’s Ridgeview High School.  As a wide receiver at Georgia Tech, Robinson led the Yellow Jackets in receiving for three straight seasons (1972-74) and accumulated 1,633 yards, 101 receptions, and 13 touchdowns during his collegiate career.  After being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1975 NFL Draft, Robinson spent five seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants (1976-79) and the San Francisco 49ers (1980) before becoming a wide receiver coach with several NFL teams.

A native of North Augusta, South Carolina, Phil Schaefer began his sports broadcasting career as a student at Ohio State University where he called games for the school’s basketball and baseball teams.  After joining Atlanta’s WSB Radio in 1963, Schaefer went on to cover sports in Georgia for the next four decades and provided commentary for numerous sporting events including University of Georgia football and basketball games, Atlanta Hawks games, The Masters golf tournament, and the NCAA Basketball Tournament.  A three-time Georgia Sportscaster of the Year, Schaefer also served as the public address announcer for the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Hawks.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Hines Ward moved to the Atlanta area at the age of one.  An exceptional football and baseball player at Forest Park High School, Ward enrolled at the University of Georgia where he tallied 4,762 total yards and 20 touchdowns in four seasons (1994-97) as a wide receiver, running back, and quarterback for the Bulldogs.  Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1998 NFL Draft, Ward spent fourteen seasons (1998-2011) with the Steelers and accumulated 12,511 all-purpose yards, 1,000 receptions, and 86 total touchdowns.  A four-time Pro Bowler, Ward led Pittsburgh to two Super Bowl victories and was named the MVP of Super Bowl XL.

A standout baseball and football player at South Carolina’s Maywood High School, high school football coach Luther Welsh began his coaching career in Georgia at Warrenton High School in 1955.  Named the football coach at Albany’s Dougherty High School in 1968, Welsh led the Trojans to a regional championship in 1976 before taking over at Thomson High School in 1984.  After bringing Thomson back-to-back state titles in 1984 and 1985, Welsh made successful head coaching stops at Camden County, Greene County, and Screven County, before returning to Thomson and leading the Bulldogs to another state title in 2002.  A three-time Georgia Coach of the Year, Welsh retired in 2010 with a career coaching record of 333-181-6.

Born in Mansfield, Georgia, Glenn Wilkes was an all-district basketball player at Eatonton High School before joining the basketball team at Mercer University.  After averaging 25 points per game in his senior year, Wilkes was selected by the Syracuse Nationals in the 1950 NBA Draft.   In 1957, Wilkes was named the head basketball coach at Stetson University where, for the next thirty-six years, he built the Hatters program from an NAIA school to its current Division I status.  The author of several books on basketball fundamentals, Wilkes also created the Glenn Wilkes Basketball Camp, the premier basketball clinic for aspiring basketball players in the southeast.

The 2016 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 27th at the Macon City Auditorium. For ticket information, please visit gshf.org or call the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame at (478) 752-1585.