Mobile exhibit trailer at the Brier

The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame will be bringing our mobile exhibit trailer to the Montana’s Brier from March 1-10.

Each day of the men’s national curling championship you can find our 53-foot trailer in the Ag Ex Building adjacent to the Brandt Centre. On the opening weekend, the trailer will be open from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Once the Brier moves to three draws per day on Sunday, the trailer will be open from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. During the final three days of the event, the trailer will open 90 minutes before the first draw of the day and close 30 minutes after the late draw has started.

We are excited to welcome students from numerous schools who will tour the trailer during the weekday mornings of the Brier.

The mobile travelling exhibit was created in 2016 in conjunction with the Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary celebrations. It is unique among Halls of Fame in Canada and features stories and artifacts that span the SSHF collection. Hockey and football jerseys on display from as far back as the 1930s, a 100-year-old Olympic gold medal, vintage curling sweaters, and much more are on display inside the trailer.

Please see the map below to find the location of the trailer in the Ag Ex building north of the Brandt Centre.

Heavy Metal Curling features 19th century stone

One of the oldest items in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame’s collection is a 60-pound iron curling stone from 1890. The stone is part of our new Heavy Metal Curling display. The iron stone is currently on display behind glass, but a 60-pound kettlebell is also on display to give you a sense of the heft needed to curl in the 19th Century. The iron curling stone is next to a modern granite stone for an easy comparison of the evolution of the curling stone.

Granite is both lighter and better suited to the environments where curling is played. All of the granite for curling stones comes from two places, Ailsa Craig, an island in Scotland, and the Trefor Granite Quarry in Wales. Kays of Scotland has been making stones from the Ailsa Craig granite since 1851.

While granite stones have always been the standard in curling, there was a time in Canada when granite wasn’t as accessible. To meet the need, stones made of iron were developed in Montreal as an alternative with Canada being the only country known to have used them. Iron stones were notably heavier, weighing between 60-80 lbs. (27.2-36.3 kg) compared to modern granite stones which are 44.1 lbs. (20 kg). Iron stones were also less than ideal due to their propensity to rust during exposure to ice and water.

Our Heavy Metal Curling display also features historic photos and information from the early years of curling in Saskatchewan.

Brier Tankard trophy on display at Hall of Fame

The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame will be the temporary home for the Brier Tankard trophy for the next two months ahead of the 2024 Montana’s Brier men’s national curling championship being held in Regina.

Thanks to Curling Canada and Curl Sask., the Hall of Fame is displaying the Tankard trophy when it isn’t otherwise making a public appearance around the province. One of the most enduring and iconic trophies in Canadian sport, the Tankard will be making appearances at a number of events and venues before the Brier begins on March 1.

Handcrafted in England in 1927, the Tankard trophy features a heart-shaped metal plaque with the names of each of the winning foursomes since it was first awarded. The original Brier sponsor was the Macdonald tobacco company. Macdonald made a “Brier” pipe tobacco that contained a heart-shaped silver plug that was inserted with a purple plastic heart. That heart motif was the inspiration for the purple heart patches the competing teams receive as provincial champions and the silver hearts applied to the Tankard for each winning rink.

The original Brier Tankard trophy was awarded from 1927 until 1979 when it was retired once Labbatt Brewing Company took over as the title sponsor and created a golden stein for the winners. When their sponsorship ended in 2001, the original Brier Tankard trophy was restored and reinstated as the trophy. The Labatts Brier winners from 1980-2000 may not have received the Tankard trophy, but their names have all been engraved on the trophy retroactively.

While title sponsors have changed in the 21st century – Nokia (2001-04), Tim Hortons (2005-23), and now Montana’s (2024) – the original trophy has endured as the grandest prize in Canadian men’s curling.

For the Record: May/June 2016

For The Record

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT SCOTT WATERS

We are officially more than one quarter through the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame’s (SSHF) 50th year. While we have already started celebrating this historic anniversary, some of our biggest events are still to come.

I would first like to remind everyone that we will not be having a formal induction this year. However, we have many exciting events on the horizon that will give everyone in the province a chance to celebrate our anniversary with us. These events will include a traveling exhibit, a one-woman play and a gala, which will all be explained in detail throughout this newsletter.

It is our hope that, in doing so, we will be successful in celebrating the phenomenal sports history of all 505 inductees, including: 223 athletes, 158 builders and 124 championship teams, whose stories have been housed inside of our walls for all these years.

The staff has also been hard at work planning and executing the first four events in our “12 months, 12 Events” series. The two most recent of these events were prepared in conjunction with major sporting events happening in the province. Our February event saw the staff, along with 15 curling inductees, travel to Swift Current – the host site of the 2016 Ford World Women’s Curling Championships.

Our fourth event saw us team up with The Keystone Cup, a prestigious Junior B Hockey Championship that was being hosted in Regina for the first time. The tournament was a great excuse to bring a handful of our inductees together. 2015 SSHF inductee Cliff Koroll flew in from Chicago, while two members of the 1968 Team Canada Olympic Team, Morris Mott and Terry O’Malley, joined us as well.

Fans in attendance during both events were given the opportunity to ask questions of our inductees, get autographs and pose for pictures. I would like to specially thank the Ford World Women’s Curling Championship organizing committee, The Keystone Cup organizing committee and our event MC’s Taylor Shire and Candace Woodside for helping to make these events possible.

On behalf of the SSHF Board of Directors I would like to wish you the best for the remainder of the spring season and upcoming summer 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
Review us on TripAdvisor

Best wishes,

Scott Waters, President

To find out more on our latest happenings at the SSHF, download the full version of the newest For The Record, right here:

For the Record May/June 2016

March Blog: Inductees “Hurry Hard” in Swift Current

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 third event of the year served to celebrate the World Women’s Curling Championship in Swift Current.

A fan forum and autograph session celebrating the 2016 Ford World Women’s Curling Championship was hosted on March 21, 2016 in Swift Current. From March 19-27, Swift Current was home to the Championship for a second time. Speedy Creek also hosted the tournament in 2010, and efforts were made shortly after to bring the tournament back because of its success.

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In attendance to help celebrate the Championship and our 50th anniversary were the following inductees:

1980 Marj Mitchell Curling Team
(Canadian and World Champions, Wendy Leach attending)

1970 Dorenda Schoenhals Bailey Curling Team
(Canadian Ladies Champions, Linda Burnham & Dorenda Bailey attending)

1951 and 52 Gary Thode Curling Team
(Canadian High School Boys Champions, Roy Hufsmith attending)

1993, 1994, 1997, 1998 Sandra Schmirler Curling Team
(Women’s Canadian, World, and Olympic Champions, Anita Ford attending)

1974 Emily Farnham Curling Team
(Canadian Ladies Champions, Emily Farnham, Linda Saunders, & Pat McBeath attending)

1983 Rick Folk Curling Team
(Canadian Mixed Champions, Dorenda Bailey attending)

2003 Nancy Kerr Curling Team
(Canadian and World Senior Women’s Champions, Linda Burnham & Kendra Richards attending)

1978 Bernie Yuzdepski Curling Team
(Canadian Mixed Champions, Bernie Yuzdepski attending)

1980 Rick Folk Curling Team
(Canadian and World Men’s Curling Champions, Jim Wilson attending)

2009 Eugene Hritzuk Curling Team
(Canadian and World Senior Men’s Curling Champions, Eugene Hritzuk, Verne Anderson and Dave Folk attending)

The SSHF would like to sincerely thank the World Women’s Curling Championship organizing committee, the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame and our Master of Ceremonies, Candace Woodside, for helping to make this event possible.

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Don’t miss your chance to help celebrate our 50th! Our April event will focus on the 2016 Keystone Cup!

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.

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

Easter Week Activities at Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame

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Easter Holidays are almost here. Need something to do with the kids? How about a visit to the SSHF?

Check out our latest exhibit: For Those About to Rock: Women’s Curling in Saskatchewan
Try interactive curling in our wheelchair curling display!
Do a scavenger hunt!

Check out our new Sport Simulator and play like our inductees!
Six different sports available.

We can offer age appropriate activities that promote learning and fun, like a trivia challenge, “I Spy” or pick an inductee!
Use our 3 in gallery iPads to search for your favorite sport or find an inductee.

Easter hours are as follows:
April 7 – April 10
10:30am – 4:30pm

Regular admission charges apply
Adults: $5.00
Seniors: $3.00
Students/Children: $2.00
Children under 5: Free
Family: $10.00

Or purchase a Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame 2015 Membership for unlimited visits!
Individual: $35.00
Family: $50.00

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.

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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

Regular Hours Are Back

In case you missed it on our Facebook and Twitter pages, we closed our doors last week to update our exhibits with new and exciting displays that are full of great information that will keep you busy for hours inside the hall. After our December exhibits were so well received we knew that what came next had to be something that was unique and would truly capture the spirit of sport in this province.

If you don’t play hockey, what do people do in Saskatchewan in the winter? Curling, Broomball, Ringette, Skating, Skiing, and Snowshoeing are just some of the sports that come to mind and will be featured in the exhibit with artifacts from the permanent collection. Also on display will be a mini-exhibit focusing on Old Timers Hockey.

Now that the exhibits have been changed over and “Winter In Saskatchewan” is ready for viewing we are happy to announce that our regular viewing hours are back and that means there are plenty of chances for you to come see everything that is new in the gallery. If you were curious as to what these regular hours are, The Saskatchewan Sports Hall Of Fame is opening for viewing from 9am-5pm every Monday to Friday. If you have any questions about this, or any other happenings at the hall you can also feel free to contact us at (306) 780-9232.

See you soon!

Update On Hours & Exhibits

We hope everyone had a great Holiday season and a very Happy New Year. The Saskatchewan Sports Hall Of Fame is committed to delivering the best service possible when bringing you the history and stories of sport in this province and because of this we are excited to get back to work and start 2013 by showing off the best Saskatchewan has to offer in the world of sport.

Unfortunately this can at times mean that we need to close off our exhibit space in order to keep things as fresh and exciting as possible for our patrons. So with that in mind the Galleries will be closed from January 2 through January 9 (at noon) in order to accommodate an exhibit change.  Opening on January 9 will be the new exhibit, Winter in Saskatchewan.  If you don’t play hockey, what do people do in Saskatchewan in the winter?  Curling, Broomball, Ringette, Skating, Skiing, and Snowshoeing are just some of the sports that come to mind and will be featured  in the exhibit with artifacts from the permanent collection.  Also on display will be a mini-exhibit focusing on Old Timers Hockey.

Administrative offices remain open throughout the Gallery closure period.

Thank you all so much for the ongoing support of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall Of Fame and we look forward to seeing all of you when the galleries reopen in a week’s time. Until then feel free to visit us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on everything related to the Hall, our inductees and events related to both.