Saskatchewan Sports Stories: Diane Jones Konihowski

The summer of 2020 has featured numerous postponements and cancellations across the sporting world — none bigger than the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics which were pushed back a year.

At the same time, the nexus of sports and politics has intersected at a level that has rarely been seen before.

Forty years ago, however, Saskatoon’s Diane Jones Konihowski experienced both political fallout and the loss of a chance to compete at the Olympics at the same time when she became the centre of controversy after speaking out following Canada’s decision to join the boycott of the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympic Games.

Jones Konihowski was one of the faces of amateur sport in Canada and had the endorsements, commercials and name recognition that came with it. That public goodwill evaporated seemingly overnight following her criticisms of the boycott at the height of the Cold War which led to hate mail and death threats directed at her, along with her family and friends.

“I was the only one speaking out against it, everyone else got sucked in,” Jones Konihowski said recently from her home in Calgary.

Diane Jones Konihowski speaking at her 1980 SSHF induction ceremony.

For Jones Konihowski, it would have been her third Games competing as a pentathlete, but it also constituted her last — and best — shot at an Olympic medal.

“I was alone in speaking out as far as I remember. It was easy for me to speak out because I was out of the country and I wasn’t being brainwashed. I could think very, very clearly and look at the scenario and think ‘this is very wrong on so many levels.’ I was able to articulate that. It took many years before people would come to me and say, ‘you know you were right,’” Jones Konihowski said. “To this day — and it was 40 years ago — people still come up to me and say that was so wrong at that time. Nobody had the guts. I can’t remember anyone else chastising the Canadian Olympic Association for their decision.

“It’s interesting this year that we were the first in the world to say that we’re not going (to the Tokyo Olympics) because of COVID. We led the world in saying it’s not safe to go. Then Australia fell in and Great Britain came and then the Games were postponed.”

Jones Konihowski was raised in Saskatoon and attended Aden Bowman Collegiate and the University of Saskatchewan where she excelled in track and field and also as a volleyball player with the Huskies. An exceptional all-around athlete, she was also a promising gymnast in her youth and was coached by Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame inductee Chuck Sebestyen before she out-grew the sport. 

“Looking back I really lucked out with some amazing Phys. Ed. teachers and sport coaches. They just motivated me to love what I was doing,” Jones Konihowksi said. “Two of my coaches were Olympic coaches. Bob Adams was my first coach in track and field and he was obviously an Olympic decathlete and he was one of the Olympic coaches in 1964. Chuck Sebestyen, one of my gymnastic coaches, was also (an Olympic) gymnastics coach in 1964.

“I just lucked-out meeting all of these people in my life. They were there for me to really nurture and push me to be a better athlete.”

Having excelled at multiple sports and being naturally competitive, it only made sense that Jones Konihowski would excel at the pentathlon which featured five events: shot put, high jump, long jump, the 200-metre run and the 100m hurdles.

She was 21 years old when she made her Olympic debut in Berlin where she finished in a very respectable 10th place.

“It was fabulous. There’s nothing like the Olympic Games. I don’t care what anyone else says,” Jones Konihowski said.

The joy of her first Olympics turned tragic when 11 members of the Israeli delegation were kidnapped from the Olympic Village, held hostage and ultimately killed by terrorists.

Jones Konihowski had just completed competition on September 5 when the pre-dawn attack occurred and was headed into the city with fellow Canadian track athlete Joyce Sadowick to meet up with another Canadian to do some sightseeing. When they woke up in the early hours there was already an eerie silence in the Athletes Village that tipped them off that something was wrong. As soon as they left the Village they were swarmed by reporters looking for information on the breaking story.

Diane Jones Konihowski competing in the high jump while at the University of Saskatchewan. photo courtesy the University of Saskatchewan.

“For me, I was touched by it because the day before I was training in hurdles with Esther Roth, who was a hurdler from Israel, and after training we went to lunch and she said ‘why don’t you come over and have lunch with us.’ So I had lunch with a bunch of wrestlers and basically, all of those guys were dead the next day,” Jones Konihowski said.

Despite being an Olympic pentathlete, Jones Konihowski was also still playing volleyball at the U of S, but a serious ankle injury at the end of the volleyball season required surgery and hurt her chances at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand where she finished sixth.

Fully healthy, she won the pentathlon gold medal at the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City and expectations were high coming home for the 1976 Montreal Olympics. 

She had an endorsement deal with Canadian apparel company Penmans and appeared in commercials with Montreal Expos star Gary Carter, Olympic skier Nancy Greene, and hockey broadcaster Howie Meeker.

“Montreal was a huge learning experience. Because I was a media darling, they loved me all through the 70s — I was tall, long legs, long blonde hair and I was successful — I got a lot of media attention,” Jones Konihowski said.

Jones Konihowski was training in Santa Barbra, California in the lead-up to the ’76 Games, but was back in Canada every other weekend promoting the Games. She did a cross-country tour as the “coin girl” with André Ouellet, the Postmaster General at the time. Even when she arrived in Montreal, she was already kicking herself for disrupting her training schedule so significantly.

“The frustrating thing for me in ’76 was I could have got a medal. All the way through the competition I’m just thinking ‘damnit, if I was really at my peak I really could have got a medal,’” said Jones Konihowski who finished sixth in the pentathlon and also seventh in the long jump.

“I came out of Montreal really ticked off because I blew it. I realistically could have got an Olympic medal, but you learn. At the end of the day, it’s not about the hardware. I’ve always said that. We only learn from those times when you fail, you underperform and put in a disappointing performance. It’s the only time you learn. You don’t learn from your successes.” 

She competed under her maiden name as Diane Jones in ’72 and ’76 but married fellow SSHF member and former Huskies track athlete John Konihowski in 1977 while he was a member of the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos. While making Edmonton their home, the 1978 Commonwealth Games would be in the Alberta capital and once again Jones Konihowski would be one of the faces of the event. She was the Queen’s Baton Final Runner – the Commonwealth Games equivalent to being the torchbearer at the opening ceremonies. However, nothing was going to distract Jones Konihowski from her goal. She won the pentathlon in a games record score. A year later she repeated as Pan American Games champion in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

“Going into ’78 – Edmonton, hometown, really important to do well – I just said a lot of no’s. I didn’t get caught up in that and I did very well. Not only did I win the gold medal in Edmonton, but more importantly it was with a score that put me No. 1 in the world,” she said. “That told me that I’m on track to get on the podium in Moscow, two years later. I was very, very focused.  

“(The Pan American Games) was a really good performance — Canadian record, Pan American Games record, the whole bit — so I thought OK good, we’re right on track here.”

Diane Jones Konihowski

Still, she wanted to ensure she was free of distractions. Years earlier she had invited Karen Page, a pentathlete from New Zealand, to come up to Saskatoon to train with her coach at the U of S, Lyle Sanderson (who is also an SSHF inductee). After spending Christmas of 1979 at home, Diane, John, and Sanderson and his family all moved down to Auckland, New Zealand to train with Page and get laser-focused on Moscow with no distractions.  

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December of 1979 to start the Soviet-Afghan War and in January of 1980, U.S. President Jimmy Carter threatened to boycott the Moscow Olympics is the Soviets didn’t pull out of Afghanistan by February 20, 1980. Later that month, Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark also threatened a boycott. Not coincidentally, the Lake Placid Winter Olympics would take place in February of 1980 with the Soviets competing in the U.S. Those Games concluded four days after Carter’s ultimatum.  

On April 22, 1980 – a date Jones Konihowski can recall with ease – with the U.S. State Secretary due in Ottawa the next day, the new Pierre Trudeau government formally backed the boycott. 

In New Zealand, Jones Konihowski found out that her Olympic medal dream was dashed when a reporter at an Edmonton radio station called her. She didn’t hold back in criticizing the decision. 

“I was very disappointed when I got the call on April 23,” Jones Konihowski said. “Of course I had not watched any media from back home, I had not read a thing. So I was clear-headed and not brainwashed. 

“I was saying it was wrong on a number of levels. One, it’s no surprise to world leaders that Russia has invaded Afghanistan, come on, give me a break here. We’re still sending wheat to Russia; we’re still trading with them. President Carter could have made a much stronger statement to Russia by denying them to come to his Games in February, but he waited until the end of their Games to announce a summer boycott. That’s wrong. On all levels, it’s wrong.” 

The boycott ended up being widespread, but at different levels of involvement. China, Japan and West Germany were also among the countries that didn’t send any athletes. Some western nations sent smaller squads and some individual athletes opted not to compete. Some nations — France, Spain, and Italy notably — attended but competed under the Olympic flag and did not attend the opening ceremonies.

“My greatest disappointment is really that the Canadian Olympic Association at that time went with the government’s decision,” Jones Konihowski said. “I can see the government following Carter. That’s OK. But the Canadian Olympic Association I felt let down the athletes and coaches by following suit and declaring that they were going to stay home as well. Meanwhile Iron Lady (Margaret) Thatcher said no and the British Olympic Association said ‘we’re going.’ So they went. If you can say no to Iron Lady Thatcher, why can’t we say no to Pierre Trudeau?”  

Back home, Jones Konihowski’s comments were not well received. To put it mildly.

“My mom was phoning me ‘Oh my God, everyone is calling you a Communist. Can you shut up.’ All of that kind of stuff,” she said. “The two girls in our apartment in Edmonton were getting horrible phone calls. So we basically told them to not answer the phone. 

“Even Karen in New Zealand was getting bomb threats, her parents were going nuts. 

“It was a really, really crazy time. Canadians mostly love to complain, but they never act on it. It was a really contentious time.” 

Jones Konihowski also quickly got a call from her sponsor in Toronto. 

“They said ‘Unless you retract what you’re saying, I can’t support you any longer,’” she recalled. “I said ‘You know Jamie, that’s fine. Put your money with another athlete, but I really believe strongly in this. This is wrong. This has nothing to do with Russia invading Afghanistan. Do you think Russia is going to pull out?’” 

They returned to Canada in May and the mood of her detractors hadn’t calmed any.

“John didn’t let me read any of the hate mail. And there was a lot of it,” Jones Konihowski recalled. “The Edmonton Eskimos, their lines were ringing off the hook, ‘how can you hire the husband of a Communist?’ John got it on the football field as well. He was called a ‘Commie’, which is interesting. (Edmonton head coach) Hugh Campbell stood up for me. The Edmonton Eskimos organization supported me, which was good, and John, which was awesome.

“I got a few positive letters, but in the media, I was lambasted by many of my friends. It was a really difficult time. I still felt so strongly that it was so wrong. It made no sense that we would be punished for something that is so political.” 

Four-time Canadian Olympian Abby Hoffman — Canada’s flag-bearer in Montreal — was a member of the executive council of the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF), track and field’s governing body, and reached out to Jones Konihowski. 

“She phoned me and said: ‘I have an invitation for you from the Russian organizing committee to come to the Games,’” Jones Konihowski said. “I didn’t ask her, but I assume that the invitation would have been extended to other athletes and not just me. I said ‘oh Abby, I have to think about this. You wouldn’t believe the death threats we’re getting.’ 

“I turned it down. I really thought that I wouldn’t get out of this country alive. I kind of feared for my family a little bit. My mom and dad didn’t deserve that. John and the Edmonton Eskimos certainly didn’t deserve that.” 

Jones Konihowski instead competed in the Liberty Bell Classic, a track and field event in Philadelphia for athletes who boycotted the Games. She won the pentathlon with ease, but it was cold comfort with the real Games kicking off in Moscow days later.

Soviet athletes swept the medals in the pentathlon with Nadiya Tkachenko — fresh off an 18-month ban after testing positive for steroids — setting a world record in the process.

Two weeks later at the first post-Olympic competition in Germany, Jones Konihowski beat all three Moscow medalists.

1980 Summer Olympics pentathlon champion Nadezhda Tkachenko competing in the shot put portion of the pentathlon at Moscow’s Lenin Stadium. RIA Novosti archive, image #399455 / Yuriy Somov / CC-BY-SA 3.0

“Tkachenko was a druggy and you knew that they weren’t going to test positive at their Games. There was no way,” Jones Konihowski said. “Without (American Jane Frederick) and I there, there was no competition really in the pentathlon and the three Russians won it. I don’t even know what they scored, but it was brutal. Then two weeks later in Germany, I blew them out of the water. They were off their drugs, clearly, and they were just sucking eggs two weeks after the Olympic Games. I’m sorry, that doesn’t sit well with me.” 

Tkachenko had finished one place ahead of Jones Konihowski in Berlin and again in Montreal as they continued to improve. Both times Frederick was behind them and in Montreal finished fifth-sixth-seventh. Jones Konihowski hoped that four years on, she, Tkachenko and Frederick would all move up the standings together to share the medals. 

“So my dream was that our third and final Olympics… you’d go from 9-10-11 to 5-6-7 to 1-2-3. That was sort of my dream that that was how it would come out,” she said. “It would have been a beautiful story.” 

There would be no storybook ending to Jones Konihowski’s great career as she retired in 1983.

“It was maybe six or seven years later that I started wondering what would have happened if I had gone,” Jones Konihowski said.

 Twenty years after her criticism of the Canadian Olympic Association, she returned to the Games as Canada’s Chef de Mission for the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics.  

Jones Konihowski has been named to the 2020 class for Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1978, was the CEO of KidSport Canada and was a director of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

Diane Jones Konihowski was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.

Remembrance Day : Lest We Forget

If you’ve been to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame recently, you may have noticed the poppies on our walls. Each poppy is placed next to an inductee that has served their country. How many in total, you ask? 85.

Remembrance Day is a time each year when we pause to reflect and honor those who have served our country, and those who continue to on a daily basis. It is a day that reflects only a small portion of appreciation for the freedom we enjoy as a result of the sacrifice of a brave and dedicated few.

They gave up time in their lives, away from family, friends, sport and home fighting for their country with some making the ultimate sacrifice. The reasons why they chose to fight are obvious in that they believe the preservation of our freedoms is paramount and are willing to do whatever it takes to see that they remain intact.

At the SSHF we honor those who are considered heroes in the realm of sport, but at the same time we realize that this is one of the many things we are privileged to have. Without the dedication and work of these committed and courageous individuals the opportunities to enjoy these sports would potentially not exist. So it is with that in mind that we humbly offer what homage we can to the people who make life as we know it possible.

There exists a list of individuals who not only served their country in the form of our armed forces, but who also contributed to the progression of sports on an elite level. Their skill sets are among the best in history as their physical and mental talents helped raise their respected arenas to the level they are enjoying today. Without these remarkable names it would be impossible to be where we are at.

So with that in mind, here is a small token of our appreciation. A list which recognizes the people who help build both sport as well as this country. Let us take a moment to remember their contributions to both, and honor everything they have done for us.

-Lest we forget.

Abel Sid Hockey
Abbot Edward Captain Hockey
Adams Robert Athletics
Archer Sandy Football
Arn Bob Dr. Football
Audette Julien Soaring
Austman Joseph Rifle Shooting
Bailey Harry Swimming
Bath Leonard General
Bentley Max Hockey
Boesch Garth Hockey
Bower Johnny Hockey
Bricker Calvin Athletics
Charlton Ken Football
Cote Tony Multi Sport
Creswell Aurthur Austin LT Hockey
Decoteau Alex Athletics
Dojack Paul Football
Ebbels Bill Tennis
Eichel Aston Boxing
Elliot Eldon Broadcasting
Forsyth William Athletics
Foster Frank Hockey
Francis Emile Hockey
Fowler Norman “Heck” Hockey
Germann Frank Hockey
Girgulis James Harry Shooting
Glasser Anton Bowling
Glover Stanley Athletics
Grassick Gordon “Greg” Football
Greyeyes David Soccer
Griffiths Joe Athletics
Griston William “Bill” CPL Hockey
Gutheridge Stanley ‘Hub’ Basketball
Harrison Stanley Captain Equestrian
Herlen Ernest ‘Ossie’ Boxing
Hill Alfred Curling
Howes Rollin Henry “Roly” General
Hunter William ‘Bill’ Hockey
Irvin Dick Sr. Hockey
Juckes Gordon Hockey
Kartusch Mike Hockey
Kirkpatrick J.B. ‘Kirk’ Tennis
Knutson Art Curling
Landa Sam Dr. Sport Medicine
Leddy Jack Dr. Golf
Leicester John Dr. Tennis
Livingstone R.C. ‘Scotty’ Football
Lynn Victor Hockey
Maddia Jack Hockey
McCool Charles Hockey
McCulloch Frederick Hockey
McCutcheon Robert Hockey
McNab Ernie Group Captain Hockey
Melville Tom ‘Scotty’ General
Metz Don Hockey
Metz Nick Hockey
Mitchelmore Harold Athletics
Obodiac Stan Hockey
Otton Charles LT Hockey
Orban William ‘Bill’ Sport Medicine
Penfold Bert Figure Skating
Petit Claude Private Boxing
Prediger Peter Baseball
Pyle David Ironside Wrestling
Ramsay William Beatty Hockey
Rayner Chuck Hockey
Reid Robert ‘Bobby’ General
Reid Robert Dr. Golf
Ritchie Al Hockey/Football
Ross Tom Golf
Saunders Lloyd Media
Smith D’Arcy Hockey
Staniowski Ed Hockey
Stewart John ‘Jack’ General
Stinson Edgar ‘Wally’ General
Taylor Neil ‘Piffles’ Football
Thomson Earl Athletics
Van Impe Robert Softball
Ward George General
Warwick Claude Boxing
Watson Harold ‘Harry’ Hockey
Whittleton Alfred S. Hockey
Wilken H.J. “Pete” Curling
Wilson Fred Football

For The Record – April 2015

For The Record

Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2015

On Thursday, April 16th, President, Trent Fraser, and Induction Celebrations Chair, Linda Burnham, announced the seven inductees who will become the newest members to be enshrined as part of the Class of 2015. The inductees will be officially inducted at the 49th Annual Induction Ceremony to be held at the Conexus Arts Centre on Saturday, June 13th, 2015.

During the announcement, Linda noted that: “2015 has been declared The Year of Sport in Canada by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. The declaration from the Governor General celebrates the role that sport plays in our Canadian identity and its vital connection to the cultural fabric of our nation. Here, at the Saskatchewan Sport Hall of Fame, we certainly echo that sentiment which is truly embodied in our Class of 2015. We look forward to enshrining them during our Induction Celebrations in June. Their accomplishments will also be featured in our Dedication to Sport exhibit as we share with the people of Saskatchewan the great sport history of our province.”

The Class of 2015 includes:

IN THE ATHLETE CATEGORY:

Cliff Koroll – Hockey
Milos Kostic – Triathlon
Jason Parker – Speed Skating

IN THE BUILDER CATEGORY:

Sharon Tkachuk – Athletics
Richard “Dick” White – Multi Sport

IN THE TEAM CATEGORY:

1985 Moose Jaw Generals AA Senior Men’s Hockey Team – Hardy Cup Champions
2009 Eugene Hritzuk Senior Men’s Curling Team – 2009 World Senior Men’s Curling Champions

Tickets to the 49th Annual Induction Dinner & Ceremony are $100/person and are available directly from the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame via 306-780-9232, [email protected], or online at www.sasksportshalloffame.com.

In addition to the announcement of our latest class, there is plenty more going on here at the Hall. We invite you to come and see everything that is new and exciting within our walls, including our latest exhibit Chalk, Wheat and Diamonds: Saskatchewan ‘Ball.

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You can also find out more on our latest happenings by downloading the newest version of For The Record, right here:

For the Record April 2015

2014 Induction Souvenir Program Available Online

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We continue to add content from the 2014 Induction Dinner to our website.  The latest addition is a PDF version of the souvenir program featuring the pencil portraits produced for each of our athlete & builder inductees. Our portrait artist is Colleen Kramer Dahlstrom and the artwork is sponsored by Molson Coors Canada.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank our many other sponsors who helped to make the Induction a huge success.

You can view the program here

2014 Induction Souvenir Program

Meet the 2014 Sochi Saskatchewan Olympians & Paralympians

The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame will be hosting many of the 2014 Sochi Saskatchewan Olympians & Paralympians this afternoon, Tuesday May 6 between 4-6 p.m. for a public autograph session. What better place to do this than against a backdrop of our exhibit, The Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games presented by McDougall Gauley, which will close with the conclusion of this public event.

Admission to the autograph session is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.

Autograph cards will be offered to all attendees while supplies last.

Attending this afternoon’s event are athletes, coaches and volunteers from the Games, including:

Colette Bourgonje (Paralympian)
Adam Burwell (Olympic, Coach)
Kali Christ (Olympian)
Ben Coakwell (Olympian)
Karen Howard (Olympic, Official)
Brittany Hudak (Olympian)
Marsha Hudey (Olympian)
Curtis Hunt (Paralympic, Coach)
Wayne Kiel (Paralympic, Coach)
Susan Lang (Official)
Paige Lawrence (Olympian)
Ken McArton (Olympic, Official)
Todd McClements (Coach)
Scott Perras (Olympian)
Graeme Rinholm (Olympian)
Lyndon Rush (Olympian)
Rudi Swiegers (Olympian)
Chelsea Valois (Olympian)
Kaspar Wirz (Paralympic, Coach)

The SSHF thanks the Canadian Sport Centre, Saskatchewan and Sask Sport Inc. for making this opportunity possible.

Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2014

The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame has announced the ten (10) inductees who will become the newest members to be enshrined as part of the Class of 2014. The inductees, including four in the athlete category, two in the category of builder and four in the team category will be officially inducted at the 48th Annual Induction Ceremony to be held at the Delta Regina on Friday, June 13, 2014.

Inductee_Final_Abbott

Inductee_Final_Bob

  Inductee_Final_Jacq
Inductee_Final_Keith

Inductee_Final_Brian

Inductee_Final_Claude
Inductee_Final_Randy

Inductee_Final_Hilltops

Tickets to the 48th Annual Induction Dinner & Ceremony are $100/person and are available directly from the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Everyone purchasing a ticket to the Induction Dinner & Ceremony will be provided one (1) complimentary ticket to the Saturday, June 14 Ottawa Redblacks versus Saskatchewan Roughrider Game courtesy of the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club.

 Induction Dinner Tickets can be ordered from the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in person, via telephone (306-780-9232), email ([email protected]) or online at http:sasksportshalloffame.com.

 The Delta Regina (1919 Saskatchewan Drive) will serve as the host hotel for the 48th Annual Induction Dinner & Ceremony.

  • Group Reservation #: SHF061314
  • Double/King Guestroom rate is $147.00 (single/double occupancy) including parking
  • Deluxe Queen Guestroom rate is $162.00 (single/double occupancy) including parking
  • Room rates are subject to applicable taxes & fees.  Additional person @ $20/person.
  • Call 1-800-209-3555 for reservations

 For further information contact:
Sheila Kelly, Executive Director, (306) 780-9232
Linda Burnham, Co-Chair Induction Weekend, (306) 584-8944

Induction 2013

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This past weekend marked perhaps the most important day on our calendar as we officially inducted our Class of 2013, which included 8 individuals as well as one championship team. A variety of sports were recognized including athletics, hockey, triathlon, lawn bowls, sports medicine and wheelchair rugby as part of this incredible class.

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There is a massive amount of coverage coming through each of the channels we have at our disposal, but we thought we would kick things off by giving all of you a small overview of what happened on both Friday and Saturday of last week. Included in this first post are just a few of the photos that were taken over the weekend as well as some of the information on each inductee.

Keith Roney : 2013 inductee

Keith Roney : 2013 inductee

Gwen (Wall) Ridout : 2013 inductee

Gwen (Wall) Ridout : 2013 inductee

Family of Garth Boesch: 2013 inductee

Family of Garth Boesch: 2013 inductee

Members of the 1998 University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team: 2013 inductees

Members of the 1998 University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team: 2013 inductees

Evelyn (Gorin) Nesdole: 2013 inductee

Evelyn (Gorin) Nesdole: 2013 inductee

Donald Gallo: 2013 inductee

Donald Gallo: 2013 inductee

Chuck Armstrong: 2013 inductee

Chuck Armstrong: 2013 inductee

Allan Semeniuk: 2013 inductee

Allan Semeniuk: 2013 inductee

Vern Pachal: 2013 inductee

Vern Pachal: 2013 inductee

Over the course of the next few weeks we will be bringing you everything from additional photos, short videos produced for each inductee. Below are the names of each inductee and a brief look at the many accomplishments that they have between them.

We would also like to take this opportunity to invite each and every one of you to come into the Hall and view the newest look of our third gallery, Dedication to Sport: Our Newest Inductees, which is currently displaying a plethora of information and a dedicated exhibit for each member of the Class of 2013.

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Never Give Up – Regina

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Last week I had the privilege of attending one of the most heartfelt, emotionally charged and inspiring events I have ever been a part of. It was the Regina portion of the “Never Give Up” tour, which is put on by The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame with help from our friends at SaskEnergy. It featured stories from two individuals whose lives and careers have been full of action, excitement and life lessons like few others, even in a sporting world where incredible stories seem to be commonplace.

The event started with a couple of great introductions, which gave our elementary school audience a premise for the almost unbelievable tales they were about to hear. First up was Regina-born Kia Byers, who has accomplished more in less than three decades than most would hope to in an entire lifetime.

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Her story is one of dedication and success which was driven by her motivation to achieve a number of goals and supported by a loving family, great coaches and teammates and an entire country behind her as she worked day in and day out for nearly fourteen years to get where she is today.

Along her path there were numerous setbacks, from injuries, to losses, to near misses that may have forced a lesser-driven athlete to abandon their dreams all together. Instead, Kia used them as fuel to pull herself off the proverbial mat and continue pushing forward, willing herself to never give up.

As she grew somewhat older and in the process wiser, Kia found a way to quantify her progression and accomplishments, which would not only help her stay the course, but also feel rewarded on her way to achieving her long-term goals.

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She spoke to our young audience about the importance of setting targets for yourself, not only on a grandiose scale like she had with the Olympic Games, but also taking smaller steps along the way like giving yourself personal bests for the sport or activity you are participating in.

Perhaps more importantly however, Kia talked about how her journey has shown her that being a top-level athlete is not the most paramount thing in life. When something like an injury happens, even the most accomplished in a sport are forced to look at life outside of competition and this lead Kia to reflect on herself and refocus on becoming “The best Kia” she could be.

Our second speaker, who throughout his life has been of the mindset that a solid background in sport and athletics should merely serve as a platform to create an outstanding individual, later reiterated this lesson.

This was especially touching in Kia’s case because, while she is no longer actively in the sport of Sprint Kayaking competitively, she is about to embark on her most rewarding journey to date as an expectant mother. With these unforgettable lessons and experiences under her belt, there was not a single doubt in the entire audience that both the young mom and her child will continue to set a great example of how sport can help to mold incredible individuals who not only inspire us, but serve the world well in their daily lives.

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The second speaker who I mentioned above, has been the focus of the Never Give Up tour as his book of the same name has served as the focal point of previous presentations and continues to not only inspire the young audiences he addresses, but countless readers and adults he has spoken to over the years.

His name is Ted Jaleta and his accomplishments as a distance runner, which are quite impressive, continue to be overshadowed by his story of survival and the way he inspires hundreds of people to continue on in the face of adversity, even when the odds seem insurmountable against them.

Ted was born and raised in Ethiopia; where the hurdles he faced make most in our daily lives seem like mere speed bumps. While his mother and father had never been exposed to any level of education themselves, there was nothing more important in their eyes than for their son to have a chance for a better life; they saw this opportunity through education.

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Young Ted first found he was a gifted runner not through love for the sport, as he was unaware that even existed. Rather he honed his skills with the miles of running he had to do each day in order to get to and from school. For Ted running was a means of daily transportation before it was ever a means to see the world through competition of any sort. If you were to ask him nearly fifty years ago a younger Jaleta had aspirations of a World Cup soccer title and none of international road racing success.

While his skill as a runner maybe have come by accident, it did lead Ted to national level success and even saw him groomed as a potential Olympian who might one day represent his country on the world’s biggest stage.

After years of struggling to attain an education while growing as a racer, Ted was faced with more adversity as he attempted to pursue post secondary knowledge. During this time, Ted was persecuted within his nation and forced to flee and hide just to survive.

After spending time literally on the run and seeking refuge at a camp in Kenya, Mr. Jaleta was fortunate enough to be sponsored by the Canadian government and find a new home here in Regina, where he has resided since 1982.

In the years since arriving here, he has once again overcome struggle. This time it was not survival that he was worried about but rather, fitting in and making a life for himself in a city, and country which he knew next to nothing about.

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Like Kia however, strong life lessons had been learned along his journey and he used the knowledge he had gained over the years to persevere and strive unwaveringly for as long as he needed to see his dreams become a reality.

Ted is now happily married with a beautiful family and spends his time working and speaking with the youth of the community, looking only to give them the same incredible opportunities he has been able to take advantage of. He still runs of course, only it is no longer with the same consequence it once was, nor as Ted will tell you, with the same speed.

At the end of the day, the curious young minds that filled the auditorium where filled with many new thoughts, questions and of course the important knowledge and inspiration they need so that when life deals them a set back, they too will find a way to never give up.

Thanks again to our presenting sponsor, SaskEnergy, as well as The Regina Performing Arts Center for the amazing opportunity to hear these two incredible stories told. I would like to invite all of you to take some time and find out a little more about Kia and Ted, as the few words I have written here simply do not do them justice.

Read more about Kia Byers at her website – www.kiabyers.com

Find more on Ted Jaleta via his online resource – www.tedjaleta.com
as well as right here at The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on:
Ted Jaleta’s Inductee Profile Page.

Saskatchewan Athlete Of The Year Awards

Sask Sport Inc. is the umbrella organization for amateur sport in the province. Each year Sask Sport comes together with members of the sporting community, as well as the media, to select a group of individuals and teams from across the province to vie for their annual Sask Sport Awards. This year the competition for these accolades was as close as ever, thanks to the fact that our province continues to produce world-class caliber participants.

The list of 2012 nominees was one of the most outstanding we have ever seen and included the best of the best from around the province not only in terms of athletes, but coaches, officials and volunteers as well. 2012 also included two key individuals who have contributed in major way to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and we wish to provide them some special recognition for their achievements.

Saskatoon’s Marg Tosh, has been an honoured member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall Of Fame (SSHF) since 1978 and has played a major part in Canadian athletics history. Among her accomplishments, Tosh set a new Canadian open record in javelin at the Canadian Olympic trials in Hamilton, 1956. The record throw of 145’5” (44 m 32.3 cms) stood until 1964. Margaret competed in the Olympics at Melbourne, Australia in 1956. In 1957, at the Western Canada Championships, Margaret set a new provincial native record in javelin at 141 feet, 7 ½ inches (43 m 16.7 cms). She also finished first in the shot put. At the Commonwealth Games Trials in 1958, Marg placed first in javelin. A big congratulations goes out to her for being named 2012 Master Athlete of the Year for her continued success in athletics.

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Kaylyn Kyle, also of Saskatoon, was the recipient of the Female Athlete of the Year award thanks to her performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games.  Kaylyn was an integral part of the Canadian Women’s Soccer team who brought home the country’s first ever medal in the sport of Women’s Soccer and no doubt has set the stage for ongoing success in that arena. Earlier this year Kaylyn took time out of her busy schedule to come to the SSHF, sign autographs, take photos and inspire the youth of our province to chase their dreams no matter how big they may seem.

Of course, like Kaylyn many names on this list are still actively involved in sport and as such they are not currently eligible for induction into the SSHF. This does not mean, however, that they and numerous others may not someday have a home with us. The work they are putting in now is the hard part, after that they are welcome to be nominated for induction and a permanent place among the best in Saskatchewan sports history. The first step in that direction is of course nomination, which we welcome at any time and information on the subject can be found right here.

For the time being, we will enjoy the accomplishments of all of these athletes and builders as they continue to shape the face of sport in Saskatchewan for years to come. Below is a list of all this year’s winner and we at the Sask Sports Hall Of Fame would like to send a heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of them.

2012 Master Athlete of the Year
Marg Tosh, 75, Saskatoon, Athletics

2012 Youth Male Athlete of the Year
Jarret Kenke, 18, Saskatoon, Canoe Kayak

2012 Youth Female Athlete of the Year
Katelyn Lehner, 17, Prince Albert, Athletics – Heptathlon

2012 Male Athlete of the Year
Kelly Wiebe, 23, Regina, Athletics

2012 Female Athlete of the Year
Kaylyn Kyle, 24, Saskatoon, Soccer

2012 Team of the Year
Saskatoon Hilltops, Saskatoon, Football

2012 Volunteer Awards
Errol Berenbaum, Saskatoon, Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan
Elan Paluck, Regina, Saskatchewan Baton Twirling Association

2012 Coach of the Year Award
Tom Sargeant, Saskatoon, Football Saskatchewan

2012 Coach Dedication Award – Male
Brendan Curson, Saskatoon, Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan

2012 Coach Dedication Award – Female
Myra Kirk, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Baton Twirling Association

2012 Official Award – Male
Ken McArton, Dilke, Saskatchewan Curling Association

2012 Official Award – Female
Brenda O’Connor, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Athletics

-Winners list courtesy of Sask Sport Inc.

 

Kaylyn Kyle Appearance : Video Recap

It has been a busy couple of months for Kaylyn Kyle since returning from the London Olympics where she helped her team and our country capture a bronze medal; our first medal of any color in the history of the sport. It has been a whirlwind not only in terms of the demands on her time, as media outlets, fans and sponsors all want a piece of her but also emotionally as she has admittedly had little time to allow what has happened to really sink in.

She has however had a few fleeting moments where should let her guard down, be herself and truly enjoy life after the games, and many of those moments have come at home back here in Saskatchewan. Between appearances all over the country and abroad with trips back and forth from here to Los Angeles becoming common, Kaylyn has said that spending time with family and friends has been the best way to enjoy the success she has seen.

Recently she stopped by the Hall of Fame to sign autographs and take photos with fans on a grassroots level, many of whom play in the very same programs as Kaylyn did growing up. It was interesting to see how the star athlete interacted with fans in Regina and it was also great to see just how much everyone involved really did enjoy the experience.

The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame was able to have a couple of cameras on hand for the event, and in the process captured some hands on footage of what the day was really all about for Kaylyn and her fans alike. Enjoy the video as we take look back on the morning of October 20th, when fans from across southern Saskatchewan came together to honor one of our great young athletes. Also be on the lookout for more great events and content to come from the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Remembrance Day : Lest We Forget

Remembrance Day is a time each year when we pause to reflect and honor those who have served our country, and those who continue to on a daily basis. It is a day that reflects only a small portion of appreciation for the freedom we enjoy as a result of the sacrifice of a brave and dedicated few.

They gave up time in their lives, away from family, friends and home fighting for country with some making the ultimate sacrifice. The reasons why they chose to fight are obvious in that they believe the preservation of our freedoms is paramount and are willing to do whatever it takes to see that they remain intact.

At the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame we honor those who are considered heroes in the realm of sport, but at the same time we realize that this is one of the many things we are privileged to have. Without the dedication and work of these committed and courageous individuals the opportunities to enjoy these sports would potentially not exist. So it is with that in mind that we humbly offer what homage we can to the people who make life as we know it possible.

There exists a list of individuals who not only served their country in the form of our armed forces, but who also contributed to the progression of sports on an elite level. Their skill sets are among the best in history as their physical and mental talents helped raise their respected arenas to the level they are enjoying today. Without these remarkable names it would be impossible to be where we are at.

So with that in mind, here is a small token of our appreciation. A list which recognizes the people who help build both sport as well as this country. Let us take a moment to remember their contributions to both, and honor everything they have done for us.

The SSHF wants to give everyone the chance to see our new exhibit, “Those Who Served: Sportsmen in Our Armed Forces”, so we are offering FREE admission on November 11 & 12. Stop by the Hall from 12-5 each day and celebrate our 81 inductees who have also served in uniform.

-Lest we forget.

Abbot Edward Captain Hockey
Adams Robert Athletics
Archer Sandy Football
Arn Bob Dr. Football
Audette Julien Soaring
Austman Joseph Rifle Shooting
Bailey Harry Swimming
Bath Leonard General
Boesch Garth Hockey
Bower Johnny Hockey
Bricker Calvin Athletics
Charlton Ken Football
Cote Tony Multi Sport
Creswell Aurthur Austin LT Hockey
Decoteau Alex Athletics
Dojack Paul Football
Ebbels Bill Tennis
Eichel Aston Boxing
Elliot Eldon Broadcasting
Forsyth William Athletics
Foster Frank Hockey
Fowler Norman “Heck” Hockey
Germann Frank Hockey
Girgulis James Harry Shooting
Glasser Anton Bowling
Glover Stanley Athletics
Grassick Gordon “Greg” Football
Greyeyes David Soccer
Griffiths Joe Athletics
Griston William “Bill” CPL Hockey
Gutheridge Stanley ‘Hub’ Basketball
Harrison Stanley Captain Equestrian
Herlen Ernest ‘Ossie’ Boxing
Hill Alfred Curling
Howes Rollin Henry “Roly” General
Hunter William ‘Bill’ Hockey
Irvin Dick Sr. Hockey
Juckes Gordon Hockey
Kartusch Mike Hockey
Kirkpatrick J.B. ‘Kirk’ Tennis
Knutson Art Curling
Landa Sam Dr. Sport Medicine
Leddy Jack Dr. Golf
Leicester John Dr. Tennis
Livingstone R.C. ‘Scotty’ Football
Lynn Victor Hockey
Maddia Jack Hockey
McCool Charles Hockey
McCulloch Frederick Hockey
McCutcheon Robert Hockey
McNab Ernie Group Captain Hockey
Melville Tom ‘Scotty’ General
Metz Don Hockey
Metz Nick Hockey
Mitchelmore Harold Athletics
Obodiac Stan Hockey
Otton Charles LT Hockey
Orban William ‘Bill’ Sport Medicine
Petit Claude Private Boxing
Prediger Peter Baseball
Pyle David Ironside Wrestling
Ramsay William Beatty Hockey
Rayner Chuck Hockey
Reid Robert ‘Bobby’ General
Reid Robert Dr. Golf
Ritchie Al Hockey/Football
Ross Tom Golf
Saunders Lloyd Media
Smith D’Arcy Hockey
Staniowski Ed Hockey
Stewart John ‘Jack’ General
Stinson Edgar ‘Wally’ General
Taylor Neil ‘Piffles’ Football
Thomson Earl Athletics
Van Impe Robert Softball
Ward George General
Warwick Claude Boxing
Watson Harold ‘Harry’ Hockey
Whittleton Alfred S. Hockey
Wilken H.J. “Pete” Curling
Wilson Fred Football