Category Archives: News

Sheila Kelly honoured posthumously with national award

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Sheila Kelly was honoured with the CASH Legacy Award at the annual Canadian Association for Sport Heritage Conference in Red Deer on June 25,2026.

In her remarks to present the award posthumously to Kelly, Caitlin Dyer, President of the Canadian Association for Sport Heritage said:

“For more than three decades, Sheila Kelly was a passionate advocate, a respected leader, and a trusted voice in our field. Her work shaped institutions, strengthened communities, and inspired colleagues across Saskatchewan, across Canada, and beyond.

“As Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame for more than 30 years, Sheila provided steady, visionary leadership. Under her guidance, the Hall of Fame evolved with the times while staying true to its mission. She helped lead gallery redevelopment, digital innovation, virtual access to exhibits, education programming, and interactive visitor experiences that opened sport history to broader and more diverse audiences.

“Her impact extended far beyond one institution. Sheila supported satellite sport halls across Saskatchewan, helped emerging organizations find their footing, and became the person so many in this field turned to for advice on governance, finance, funding, policy, and programming. Again and again, colleagues described her as their first phone call — not only because of her extraordinary knowledge, but because of her generosity in sharing it.

Caitlin Dyer, left, president of the Canadian Association for Sport Heritage presents the CASH Legacy Award to Sheila Kelly’s daughter Heather.

“Sheila also gave deeply of herself in service to the wider heritage community. After joining the CASH board in 1990, she served for more than a decade and became President from 1995 to 1998. During her presidency, CASH undertook its first operational review, helping establish important direction for the organization’s future. She later served as President of the Museums Association of Saskatchewan from 1999 to 2001, and then as President of the International Sports Heritage Association from 2009 to 2010. To lead all three organizations is a rare distinction, and it speaks volumes about the respect Sheila earned throughout the museum and sport heritage worlds.

“She was also an innovator. Sheila helped the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame’s Sport History Project flourish, supporting more than 50 projects documenting the province’s sport history. She spearheaded a mobile exhibit trailer that brought stories and artifacts directly to communities across Saskatchewan. During the pandemic, she helped the Hall pivot thoughtfully into virtual and online programming, ensuring it remained relevant, resilient, and connected to the public. Those efforts were recognized through major honours, including CASH Awards of Excellence and international recognition from ISHA. Sheila herself also received the W.R. “Bill” Schroeder Distinguished Service Award in 2017, one of the highest honours in the sport heritage industry.

“But as impressive as those accomplishments are, they do not fully explain Sheila’s legacy. Her greatest contribution was people.

Sheila Kelly, right, poses with the Stanley Cup on its visit to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

“She mentored emerging professionals. She encouraged her peers. She helped other institutions become stronger. She combined strategic leadership with genuine warmth, and professional excellence with personal kindness. Those who knew her speak not only of her achievements, but of her friendship, her generosity, and the way she made others feel seen, supported, and capable. Her legacy lives on not only in exhibits, programs, and awards, but in the many people whose lives and careers she helped shape.

“The CASH Legacy Award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to Canadian sporting heritage. Sheila Kelly embodied that purpose in every sense. She protected stories that mattered. She preserved history with care and professionalism. She promoted sport heritage with vision, conviction, and heart. And she did so at the local, provincial, national, and international levels.”

Sheila’s husband Dave and daughter Heather were on hand to accept the CASH Legacy Award on her behalf.

Travelling Mobile Exhibit is on the road this summer!

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The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame will be hitting the road this summer!

The Hall’s Travelling Mobile Exhibit will be making five stops around the province as we bring the great stories of Saskatchewan’s sporting legends to the people of the province. The Travelling Mobile Exhibit is in a converted 53-foot semi-trailer filled to the brim with artifacts.

Created in 2016 as the Hall celebrated its 50th anniversary, the exhibits have been refreshed this year as we prepare to hit the road to celebrate the Hall’s 60th anniversary. It is free to visit the Travelling Mobile Exhibit, though donations are also welcome!

 

The first stop will be at the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina on Canada Day, July 1, from 2-5 p.m. Special posters celebrating Saskatchewan’s great Indigenous athletes will also be on display in tipi on site and the SSHF staff will be handing out stickers honouring those Indigenous inductees and the Hall’s 60th anniversary.

On July 18-19, the mobile exhibit will be in Saskatoon at the Western Major Baseball League’s All-Star weekend.

The following week – July 26-28 – the trailer will head up to the Battlefords for the Tony Cote Games. Once again the Indigenous inductee posters will be on display – including one for Tony Cote himself.

For the second straight year, the trailer will be at Shake the Lake in front of the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina on August 19, 21 and 22.

Finally, the trailer will also be appearing at the Hall of Fame’s 2026 Induction Dinner & Ceremony at the Conexus Arts Centre.

The mobile exhibit trailer is unique amongst halls of fame in Canada and allows the SSHF to fulfill its mandate of preserving and sharing Saskatchewan’s sport history with the entire province.

The continued use of the mobile exhibit trailer would not be possible without the funding and support of the City of Regina, Hornoi Leasing, Sterling Truck & Trailer Sales, and Saskatchewan Lotteries.

Ostapowich returns for another year as SSHF Board Chair

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The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame held its Annual & Special Meeting on June 16. The meeting featured the passing of a number of amendments, the presentation of the 2025/26 Financial Statements, the appointment of the auditor for 2026/27, and reports on the election of Board Directors.

Three new directors were added to the SSHF Board as Tyler Lloyd and Jill Zimmer from Regina and Trevor Miller from Shellbrook were welcomed to the Board for three-year terms.

Kelvin Ostapowich, SSHF Board Chair

Kelvin Ostapowich returns at the SSHF Board Chair for the 2026-2027 year, while Trent Blezy assumes the position of Vice Chair and Taylor Froehlich becomes the Treasurer/Finance Chair. There are currently 12 members of the SSHF Board.
The 2025 Annual Report is also available online.

Game Changers: Pride in Sport – Interview Reflection 

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By Oliver Tymo

It is a common stereotype that the antithesis of queerness is sports. Many of us have seen it in films or media, in which jocks bully the queer kids, or someone is gay and therefore has no interest in sports (CAAWS, 2006). This also is written because in some ways it is true, and because it is seen in media, we feel the influence to perpetuate it. As a student employee at the hall, the topic of queerness is something I have always wanted to explore, because in many ways, I grew up in sport and loved it, but as a queer person, there are many ways in which sport does not love me back. I dropped out of sports at a young age and felt alone in this until I reached adulthood. It was when I started studying historical perceptions of gender and sexuality, it gave me the tools to discuss these feelings of ostracization with my peers that my interest in sport sparked once more.  With this project, I hope to explore the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes in Saskatchewan and the organizations that make a safe and inclusive space in sport. 

Why does visibility matter in sport? Both of the Saskatchewan athletes I interviewed, Karin Lofstrom and Jacki Nichol, discussed how having other out teammates and coaches made their experiences in sport easier, and felt that it was safer for them to be open about their sexuality because of it. Karin Lofstrom is a Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame inductee, whose career as an athlete and sport administrator has made her a global leader in advancing inclusion in sport. Karin explains that, “sometimes the confidence you got playing sports, helped [you have] a confident identity.” and they had both discussed how it felt safe in their respective sports because other players and coaches were out. However, Karin also discussed how moving into the figure skating world, there were not any gay women, and it was a huge environment shift in which it was not even a consideration that a lesbian would be in figure skating administration. She also brings up the idea of women’s sport being full of lesbians, discussing that, “if you put your girls in sport that they were going to be lesbians, that was a myth. Or that they would get turned on or get hit on, all of this scary stuff people thought was going to happen.” She then goes on to discuss that on behalf of the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity, she worked to eliminate stigma by doing interviews with queer people and then creating workshops for sports associations to be more inclusive (Lofstrom, 2026). “Those steps of getting people to just start talking about it and understanding what’s the truth [and] what’s [a] myth.” She also discussed how different sports have different cultures around queerness, noting that it is particularly harder for more internationally competing athletes to be able to be open due to many laws discriminating against 2SLGBTQIA+ people. 

Jacki Nichol

Jacki Nichol is a former softball player that competed for Canada in many tournaments. In my interview with her, she discussed that while she was at the Olympics in 2000, spaces that remained only for athletes felt more comfortable to be in, but there was still hesitation about being publicly open about sexual identities. This is in contrast to now, in which many Olympics have hosted gay villages for the athletes and have statistical data on identities, although there is still concern about being out when it comes to national and financial support of athletes. Nichol also mentioned how she traveled with her partner and child during her last year competing on the national team, being one of the first athletes to be competing while also caring for a child and being supported. Nichol also mentions how starting with one other person to support identity, “it kind of just snowballs and becomes normal for everyone else.” Being open about who she is, is something that has come a bit later for her,  

“Attending these big events, and I’m able to attend them with my two boys, with my partner, and with my family, all of us together. Showcase and [let] people see the pictures and the stories of me with my partner, and that story I might not have been able to tell as openly and honestly back when I was competing. In retrospect and years later, being honored as a legend, it’s kind of refreshing to be able to just do that as who I am and with my same-sex partner and with my children.” 

The stories shared by Karin and Jacki highlight how meaningful visibility and acceptance can be for individuals. Equally important is organizations that facilitate the spaces that allow participants to be their most authentic selves. 

In an interview with Colette “Parks ’n Wreck,” I learned that the Regina Pile ’O Bones Roller Derby Club is an organization that excels in terms of inclusivity, allowing athletes to be on teams of the gender they feel most comfortable with and with others of the same skill/competitive level. There are many other sports and recreational groups in this province that seek to keep people active while breaking down these barriers of sexual identity and gender as well. After this discussion about experiences with marginalized identities in sport, I wanted to end off by bringing attention to these organizations that have their boots on the ground and help make material differences in the local community. Prairie Lily Curling League (Saskatoon) and Queen City Curling League (Regina) are leagues that are focused on bringing 2SLGBTQIA+ people of any skill level into the game of curling. Queer Fit Club is an organization that started out of Regina, that sought to create a safe group to be active and try different sports. In this same realm, Dyke Hikes YQR is a group for hiking and participating in seasonal activities for queer women and gender diverse people. This is not meant to be the beginning and end of the discussion of 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports, nor is it meant to define what Saskatchewan queer sport looks like. This is meant to open the door for more discussion on the topic, as more we look to continuously improve ourselves and expand the limits of what we think sport is, and what it can be. 

 

Bibliography 

Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity. (2006.) ‘Seeing the Invisible, Speaking about the Unspoken’: A Position Paper on Homophobia in Sport.   

Lofstrom, Karin, and Oliver Tymo. (2026, May 8) Microsoft Teams Interview. 

Nichol, Jacki, and Oliver Tymo. (2026, May 12.) Microsoft Teams Interview. 

Parks, Colette, and Oliver Tymo. (2026, May 18.) Zoom Interview. 

 

Further Reading (in Chicago style) 

Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Tenth Anniversary Edition 2nd ed. Routledge. 2000.  

Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity. Sex Discrimination in Sport: an Update. 2008. 

Caudwell, Jayne ed. Sport, Sexualities and Queer/Theory 1st ed. Routledge. 2006.  

Carter, Claire, and Krista Baliko. 2017. “‘These are not my People’: Queer Sport Spaces and the Complexities of Community.” in Leisure Studies, Vol. 36. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02614367.2017.1315164. 

Ewing, Lori. (2026, March.) International Olympic Committee urged to drop reported Gender Test Plans for Female Athletes. Accessed May 24, 2026. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/athletics/track/international-olympic-committee-gender-testing-plans-female-athletes-9.7132090. 

Gorczynski, Paul, Claudia L. Reardon, and Cindy Miller Aron. 2022. “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer Mental Health in Elite Sport: A Review.” Advances in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health 2 (1): 9–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypsc.2022.03.002.  

International Olympic Committee. (2026, March.) International Olympic Committee announces new Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport. Accessed May 29, 2026. https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/international-olympic-committee-announces-new-policy-on-the-protection-of-the-female-women-s-category-in-olympic-sport. 

Nieman, Craigory V., Sara Barnard Flory, Rebecca Cavazos-Wylie, and Leah R. Burger. 2026. “LGBTQ+ Youth Perceptions of Barriers to Physical Activity and Sport: A Mixed 

Methods Study.” Sport, Education and Society: 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2026.2639532. 

Storr, R., L. Nicholas, K. Robinson, and C. Davies. 2022. “‘Game to Play?’: Barriers and Facilitators to Sexuality and Gender Diverse Young People’s Participation in Sport and Physical Activity.” Sport, Education and Society 27 (5): 604–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2021.1897561.  

Rayter, Scott, ed., and Laine Halpern Zisman, ed. 2022. “Part 7: Sport.” in Queerly Canadian: An Introductory Reader in Sexuality Studies 2nd ed. Women’s Press. 536-616. 

Westhead, Rick. We breed Lions: Confronting Canada’s Troubled Hockey Culture. 2025. 

About the Author 

Oliver Tymo is a student at the University of Regina, studying History and Museum and Heritage Studies. As a weekend staff member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, he was invited to research and curate a display on 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes and organizations in Saskatchewan. This is a reflection on interviews they conducted and is an accompaniment to the Game Changer: Pride in Sport exhibit. 

SSHF celebrates Pride month with Game Changers exhibit

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With June being the start of Pride month in Saskatchewan, the Hall of Fame has launched a new exhibit, Game Changers: Pride in Sport, which highlights the stories and achievements of 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes and organizations local to the province.

Oliver Tymo, a member of the SSHF staff, conducted research and interviews to bring Game Changers to life. Tymo spoke with inductees Jacki Nichol and Karin Lofstrom, as well as Colette Parks from the Pile O’ Bones Derby Club in Regina and wrote an essay out of those interviews.

Nichol was inducted into the SSHF after a storied softball career, including serving as Canada’s captain at the 2000 Olympic Games. Lofstrom was inducted as a builder, helping create the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activities and also serving as its executive director. She also worked for several national sport organizations.

In addition to the Pile O’ Bones Derby Club, there are several other groups around the province highlighted in the exhibit that are creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ people to participate in sport.

There will be a discussion about the curation of the exhibit by Tymo on Thursday, June 11, at 6 p.m. at the Hall of Fame (2205 Victoria Ave.). The event is free of charge, with donations accepted.

Notice: Annual and Special Meeting to be held on June 16

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On behalf of Kelvin Ostapowich, Board Chair of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF), this post serves as an official notice of the Annual and Special Meeting of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame which will be held at the following date and time:

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame at 2205 Victoria Avenue, Regina
(the meeting can also be accessed virtually via Microsoft Teams)

The agenda will include the Annual Report, presentation of the 2025/26 Financial Statements, the appointment of the auditor for 2026/27, and reports on the election of Board Directors. There are proposed bylaw amendments that necessitate the meeting being designated as a ‘Special’ meeting as opposed to merely an Annual General Meeting.

The meeting package, plus the 2025 Annual Report, 2025/26 Financial Statements, and all other pertinent materials for the Annual and Special Meeting will be posted on the SSHF website and will be available for review before the meeting.

Please fill out the registration form below to RSVP for the meeting. Registrants will receive access credentials to attend the meeting virtually through Microsoft Teams no later than noon on Tuesday, June 16, if that is your preferred method of attending.

All members of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in good standing are welcome to virtually attend and vote during the Annual and Special Meeting.

If you are uncertain if you are eligible to vote in the Annual and Special Meeting – or if you have any other questions – please contact the Hall of Fame at 306-780-9232 or email [email protected].

Celebrate 60 years of the Hall of Fame!

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The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary in 2026. As part of the celebration, the Hall has launched Played Here: 60 Years of Saskatchewan Sport, our new featured exhibit.

In conjunction with the opening of this new exhibit, the Hall of Fame also debuted its new 60th anniversary logo and t-shirts featuring the new 60th anniversary logo which are available for purchase below or in person at the Hall of Fame (2205 Victoria Avenue, Regina).

The Hall of Fame’s 60th anniversary logo was designed by Graeme Zirk and incorporates the shape of the province with the Hall of Fame’s bright orange colours and a retro-style 60 font.

T-shirts featuring the anniversary logo are on sale for $25 (plus GST & PST for a total of $27.75) while quantities last. They are available in two colours: Sand Beige or you can pre-order t-shirts in White and Black. Shirts are available in sizes from small to 3X-large.

Sand Beige

Black and White

Each t-shirt purchased helps support the Hall of Fame and our programming in the upcoming year.

Please use the order form below to order your 60th anniversary t-shirt. If you wish to purchase multiple shirts in different sizes, please complete separate orders in the form for each size, or call the Hall of Fame at (306) 780-9232 and we can fill your order in one transaction.

Hall celebrates with 60 years with great 2026 class

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The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF) was pleased to announce the seven (7) inductees who will become the newest members of the SSHF this fall at an event Tuesday, April 14 at the Great Western Brewery in Saskatoon.

The Class of 2026 features four inductees in the athlete category, two builders, and one team which represents four championship seasons.

The 2026 inductees are:

IN THE ATHLETE CATEGORY:
Cameron Baerg (Saskatoon) – Rowing
Chris Getzlaf (Regina) – Football
Otto Huber (Lipton) – Golf
Brianne Theisen-Eaton (Humboldt) – Athletics

IN THE BUILDER CATEGORY:
Dr. Marlys Misfeldt (Saskatoon) – Sport Medicine & Science
Ross Wilson (Saskatoon) – Basketball

IN THE TEAM CATEGORY:
2011-2014 Saskatoon Valkyries Football Club

The 2026 Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame induction class and their representatives were introduced Tuesday, April 14 at the Great Western Brewery in Saskatoon. Pictured are Cal and Kim Theisen, left, (representing Brianne Theisen-Eaton), Dr. Marlys Misfeldt, Brian Lee, Executive Director and CEO of Golf Saskatchewan (representing Otto Huber), Carisa Polischuk from the Saskatoon Valkyries, Chris Getzlaf, Michelle Duchene, from the Valkyries, Ross Wilson, and Cameron Baerg.

The 2026 Induction Dinner & Ceremony at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Dinner will begin 7 p.m., preceded by a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. The installation of the 2026 Class begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $120 per person and are on sale now at the Hall of Fame’s website.

The 2026 Induction Class features two Olympic medalists and a Grey Cup champion, two lifelong sport builders, plus a trailblazing athlete and team who each achieved great successes.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming this excellent class as the Hall of Fame celebrates 60 years in the community in 2026” said Erin Stankewich, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. “This class is a great example of the work the Hall of Fame does to not only celebrate excellence but elevate stories and examples of Saskatchewan’s resilience and trailblazing spirit.”

Cameron Baerg won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens in the men’s 2,000 metres coxless four, earning Canada’s only rowing medal at those Olympics in an incredible photo-finish. He also won a world championship with the Canadian coxless four in 2003 in Milan.

Chris Getflaf celebrates with fans after winning the 2013 Grey Cup.

Chris Getzlaf played 11 seasons in the Canadian Football League – 10 of those with his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders. Getzlaf was named the Most Valuable Canadian of the 101st Grey Cup, as he caught three passes for 78 yards in the Riders’ 45-23 victory. He was also a two-time CFL West All-Star.

Otto Huber took up golf after he lost his vision in a hunting accident when he was 28 and went on to be a world-class blind golfer. He won the 1995 British Open Blind Golf Championship and finished second at the 1977 United States Blind Golf Association National Championship – the two most prestigious events in the sport.

Brianne Theisen-Eaton

Brianne Theisen-Eaton is a two-time Olympian, winning a bronze medal in the heptathlon at the 2016 Rio Games. She also won a pair of silver medals at the 2013 and 2015 IIAF World Championships and a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Dr. Marlys Misfeldt has worked for nearly 40 years to increase the safety and quality of care for athletes in Saskatchewan while improving the awareness of the need for safety policies and procedures in sport. She has worked at all levels from amateur to university to pro teams and events. She also served the International Traditional Karate Federation in numerous capacities and at events over the decades, as well as decades of involvement with the Sport Medicine Council of Saskatchewan.

Ross Wilson served as the president of Basketball Canada for seven years and another seven years as the president of Basketball Saskatchewan Inc. He made a notable impact in both of those roles and has also served as an executive member with FIBA and on the Canadian Olympic Association’s board of directors.

The 2011 Saskatoon Valkyries championship football team.

The 2011-2014 Saskatoon Valkyries football teams took the field for the first time in 2011 and set a standard of excellence for the rest of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League. The Valkyries won the first four WWCFL titles and only lost one game in their four-year title run. In only their third year as a team, nine players and two alternates were chosen to play for Canada at the IFAF Women’s World Championship

Once again, the Hall of Fame is pleased to partner with The Atlas Hotel in Regina (4177 Albert St.) as our host hotel for the 2026 Induction weekend. Guests can use the promo code 092526SHF when they book their rooms at the Atlas to receive the special room rate of $164.95 before the deadline of August 21, 2026.

The announcement of the 2026 Induction Class is part of a yearlong celebration of the Hall of Fame’s 60th anniversary. A new exhibit celebrating our 60th anniversary will launch in May. The Hall of Fame’s mobile exhibit trailer will travel to communities across the province this summer to celebrate and share the great stories of Saskatchewan sport excellence.

The past, present & future of women’s baseball

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March is Women’s History Month, and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame marked the occasion by hosting a panel discussion, Diamond Girls to Draft Day: Women in Saskatchewan Baseball Past, Present and Future.

The discussion was hosted by SSHF curator Robyn Jensen and her four guests are writing the next chapter of women’s baseball in Saskatchewan or chronicling its rich history.

Braidy Birdsall made history during the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League Draft. She was the first Saskatchewan-born player to be drafted. A versatile infielder from Saskatoon, she has represented Team Saskatchewan and competed nationally. Braidy was selected by the Boston franchise and is among the first generation of players stepping into a new era of professional women’s baseball when the WPBL debuts this summer.

Joining her in the WPBL is fellow Saskatchewan player Addie Ziebart, an outstanding outfielder from Saskatoon who has competed in multiple national championships with Team Saskatchewan and earned a spot on Canada’s national development team. Addie was selected by the New York franchise in the WPBL Draft, just one pick after Braidy, marking a milestone moment for Saskatchewan women’s baseball.

Maureen Ulrich is a Saskatchewan playwright and author whose work celebrates women in sport. She is the creator of the acclaimed stage production Diamond Girls, which tells the story of three Saskatchewan women who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the 1940s: Mary “Bonnie” Baker, Arleene (Johnson) Noga, and Daisy Junor. Through theatre, Maureen has helped bring the history of women’s baseball to new audiences and remind us that the roots of today’s game stretch back decades.

The final panelist is Teagan Witko, a sports broadcaster and reporter with Harvard Media, appearing on The SportsCage and the Saskatchewan Roughriders broadcast team. Teagan has quickly become one of the voices helping tell Saskatchewan’s sports stories, covering everything from grassroots athletics to professional sports across the province. Her work helps bring attention to emerging stories in sport, including the growing momentum behind women’s athletics.

Call for Applications — Board of Directors

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In 2026, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF) will mark a significant milestone—60 years of celebrating excellence in sport and honouring the stories that have shaped Saskatchewan.

This anniversary is more than a celebration; it represents a pivotal moment in the organization’s evolution as we prepare to expand our reach, strengthen our impact, and reimagine how Saskatchewan’s sport stories are shared in Regina and beyond.

The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to invite applications for appointment to its Board of Directors, for a three-year term commencing June 2026.

The SSHF exists to celebrate excellence, preserve Saskatchewan’s rich sport history, and educate and inspire the public about the vital role sport plays in our province’s cultural fabric. As we look ahead, the organization is focused on long-term sustainability, growth, and visionary leadership that will shape its next chapter.

Board members provide strategic leadership, sound governance, and stewardship of the organization’s mission and future. This volunteer role is well-suited to accomplished leaders who bring strategic insight, governance experience, and a passion for building a lasting legacy. Individuals with an affinity for sport, community impact, cultural institutions, and transformational projects are especially encouraged to apply.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a respected provincial institution at a defining moment in its history—and to help shape a legacy that will inspire generations to come.

To apply, please submit a resume and an expression of your interest in serving on the SSHF board to the attention of the Governance Committee at [email protected] by Friday, February 20, 2026.

Free activities and hot chocolate on Frost Saturdays!

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The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame will be offering fun indoor activities, a place to warm up and hot chocolate (all for free!) on Saturdays during the Frost Winter Festival in Regina.
Between 1 and 3 p.m. on February 7, 14, and 21, we will be offering indoor games and activities in our galleries along with all of our regular exhibits and displays at the Hall of Fame. We invite people to stop in, warm up with a free hot chocolate and enjoy all the Hall of Fame has to offer.
If you are planning to be downtown for Frost on one of those Saturdays, please use our online booking widget on our homepage to reserve your place. Just select “Warm-up at the Hall!” in the drop-down menu on your chosen day. Or you can simply stop in on the day, space permitting.

There are many ways to support the Hall of Fame

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The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame is excited to be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026.

The Hall of Fame was officially opened on October 31, 1966, by Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor R.L. Hanbidge and Frank J. Selke, who had just ended his 18-year tenure as the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. The SSHF has several exciting events and initiatives that will be announced in the coming weeks and months.

In the meantime, a simple — yet powerful — way to support the Hall of Fame is by purchasing a membership. A healthy membership base demonstrates how deeply Saskatchewan values its sport heritage and it strengthens our case for an even brighter future. Annual memberships are affordable, easy to renew, and the best way to show that you believe in the importance of the work of the Hall of Fame to preserve and share Saskatchewan’s rich sport history.

By becoming a member, you are playing a direct role in supporting educational programs, maintaining the collection of over 19,000 artifacts, and ensuring that the stories of our province’s sporting heroes continue to inspire future generations. Memberships are $35 per year for individuals or $50 per year for a family. Members receive exclusive Invitations to exhibit openings and other special events hosted at or by the SSHF. Members also receive unlimited access to the SSHF and a subscription to the For The Record newsletter.

Other ways that you can support the SSHF include ongoing monthly donations, a one-time ‘Sport Investor Club’ donation, or you may consider planned giving options, including the newly established SSHF Shelia Kelly Legacy Fund. This endowed fund ensures a sustainable future for the SSHF. To learn more about this new fund, you can read more below or call the Hall directly at 306-780-9232.

Robyn Jensen is the new SSHF curator

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Robyn Jensen brings a passion for history and storytelling to her role as the new curator of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Jensen comes to the SSHF after spending the past seven years as the president or vice-president of the Indian Head Museum. She is also the creator of Home Runs & Dirt Roads – a popular website and social media channel that celebrates the stories of baseball in Saskatchewan.

She recently completed her Master of Arts degree at the University of Regina in Media and Artistic Research. She also has more than 30 years of experience with non-profits.

The SSHF worked with Jensen this past June to host the 75th anniversary visit of Nat Bates and Willie Reed from the Indian Head Rockets. Jensen was the project lead, historian and curator for the Rockets Baseball Exhibit, the Indian Head Rockets 75th Anniversary tribute game and baseball card set.

The Indian Head Museum partnered with the SSHF and the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum to celebrate the Rockets, a barnstorming African American and Latino baseball team that challenged racial barriers and elevated the level of play across the prairies in the early 1950s.

“I’m honoured to contribute to the Hall’s mandate of recognizing sport excellence, preserving Saskatchewan’s sport history, and educating the public about the role sport plays in our province’s cultural fabric,” Jensen said. “This role builds directly on my recently completed Master’s work, which focused on curatorial practice, storytelling, and the stewardship of community memory. I’m especially interested in how the stories of inductees, our hometown heroes, reflect not only athletic achievement, but the broader history of Saskatchewan: its communities, values, challenges, and resilience.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring my museum and research experience to this work and excited to help ensure these stories continue to be preserved, shared, and celebrated for generations to come.”

SSHF announces the creation of the Sheila Kelly Legacy Fund

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During the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame’s 2025 Induction Dinner & Ceremony, the SSHF was proud to launch the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame Sheila Kelly Legacy Fund.

In her 32 years as executive director of the SSHF, Sheila Kelly displayed passion, dedication and professionalism to help the Hall of Fame through a period of growth and stability. With the creation of the Sheila Kelly Legacy Fund, her commitment to the long-term sustainability of the Hall of Fame will live on.

Sheila Kelly, left, receiving the International Sport Heritage Association’s Schroeder Award from Diane Imrie.The Hall of Fame not only preserves the stories of the province’s sport history, but it also educates and inspires future generations of athletes and citizens in Saskatchewan. Each year, thousands of students engage in the Hall of Fame’s award-winning educational outreach programming.

Through the Sheila Kelly Legacy Fund, you can support the important work of the Hall of Fame to preserve this cultural heritage. By supporting the fund, you can ensure that the SSHF remains a dynamic, self-sustaining attraction that honours the diverse sport history of Saskatchewan and will preserve and celebrate the stories of Saskatchewan athletes and their communities for future generations.

The Sheila Kelly Legacy Fund is administered by the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation.

Capacity crowd celebrates the Class of 2025

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The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame enshrined seven new inductees on September 20th during the 2025 Induction Dinner & Ceremony.
The Class of 2025 includes athletes Julie Foster (Rugby), Noah Miller (Water Polo), and Jon Ryan (Football); builders Brad Hornung (Hockey) and Klara Kesmarky Miller (Gymnastics); as well as the 1997 & 1998 Regina Rams Football Club and the 1978 & 1980 Saskatoon Harmony Centre Women’s Softball Team. With the induction of Foster and Miller, the SSHF welcomed its first rugby and water polo inductees. There are now 55 sports with inductees in the Hall. Klara Kesmarky Miller and Noah Miller are the first mother-and-son inducted into the SSHF and the first parent and child inducted in the same class who were not members of the same inducted team.

The Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. Keith Hershmiller Photograph.

The Induction Dinner drew a capacity crowd of 450 to celebrate the new class. We thank everyone for their support on Induction night as well supporting the Hall of Fame’s online auction and the 50-50 draw, all of which will help support the SSHF’s programming in the upcoming year.
The Hall of Fame held an open house and autograph session in the afternoon while unveiling its newest exhibit, Dedication to Sport: Our 2025 Inductees.
The success of the Induction celebration would not be possible without the support of our sponsors.
Thank you to Football Saskatchewan for sponsoring the reception hour. We also would like to thank Casino Regina for their event sponsorship this year. The silent auction table was sponsored by Jeff Lighthart Financial. Finally, Robertson Stromberg LLP sponsored the dessert table.

Jason Clermont, left, from the 1997 & 1998 Regina Rams takes part in the hot stove panel with Noah Miller and Jon Ryan during the 2025 Induction Dinner & Ceremony. Keith Hershmiller PhotographAlso thanks to Access Communications, Barkers Trophies & Gifts, Conexus Arts Centre, Keith Hershmiller Photography, SaskEnergy, Signature PrintIt, and Saskatchewan Lotteries for their support of the 2025 Induction Dinner & Ceremony.
In addition, the Canadian Western Agribition, Chicago Blackhawks, Leanne Cox, Dairy Queen (Sask. Drive, Elphinstone, Normanview Mall & Rochdale locations), Kevin Gallant, Hornoi Leasing, Terry Hornung, Knotted Thistle Pub, Leo’s Hospitality Group, Lucky Bastard Distillery, Nashville Predators, Regina Hotel Association, SaskEnergy, SaskPower, Saskatchewan Roughriders Foundation, Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, Sherwood Co-Operative Association Ltd., Urban Cellars Quance, and the Vegas Golden Knights who all graciously supported the Hall of Fame’s auction.
Darrell Romuld emceed the event and Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre was one of several dignitaries on hand at the event.
The 2025 Induction Dinner & Ceremony will be broadcast by Access Communications in Saskatchewan on October 3 at 7 p.m.