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

2017 Induction: Thank you!

Induction 2017 was a great success thanks to our sponsors, the Class of 2017, our volunteers and the many parade inductees who joined us for the celebrations. Events got underway with numerous family members, friends and media joining us Saturday afternoon at the SSHF for the Inductee Open House. This was an opportunity to grab a few autographs, check out the individual exhibits within Dedication to Sport: The 2017 Inductees of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, and visit with those about to enter the Hall of Fame.

Our formal induction celebrations were hosted at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina, SK as we recognized the contributions and achievements of the Class of 2017 comprising: Stuart Cram (gymnastics), Lori Ebbesen (triathlon), Terry Livingstone (speed skating), Lucas Makowsky (speed skating), Guyle Fielder (hockey), Joan Phipps (equestrian) and David “Tiger” Williams (hockey). To each of the inductees we extend a heartfelt thank you for the privilege of working with you over the past few months. We certainly look forward to having you as part of the Hall of Fame family.

Special thanks are also extended to our Master of Ceremonies, Blake Lough from Global Regina, who also had the task of moderating a hotstove panel featuring four members of our new Induction Class. This was an opportunity for everyone in attendance to get to know our new inductees a little better, and it turned out to be a highlight of the evening! Thank you as well to all of our sponsors who helped to ensure that the induction events were a great success.

Access Communications
Pro AV
Fire Cube Video
Signature Print-It
Molson Coors
Hotel Saskatchewan
Barker’s Trophies Awards & Gifts
Designer Photographic Technologies
Images on Ice
sharpshooter photography
Barb’s Badges
Conexus Arts Centre
T.G. Marketing

Finally, thank you to everyone who helped to make the 2017 Induction Weekend a success. We look forward to another fantastic year ahead.

 

*Event photographs coming soon!

 

For The Record: August/September 2017

For The Record

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT RANKIN JAWORSKI

As I step into the role of President of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF) I thought it was only appropriate to look back at some of the distinguished leaders who have come before me over the past 50 years and give them thanks for their contributions to the SSHF. While there have been too many to list individually a special thank you goes to Linda Burnham, Scott Waters and Trent Fraser, the three Past Presidents that I have had the pleasure of working alongside while on the Board. All three of you have been instrumental in setting the Hall on its current path and providing a framework for the Hall’s continued success for its next 50 years and beyond. Thank you.

While 2016 was a landmark year with our 50th anniversary celebrations, we have strived to keep that excitement and energy going into 2017 through a number of different means. We were honoured to have been asked by the Province to have our traveling exhibit make its first out-of-province excursion and be showcased to represent Saskatchewan at the 2017 Jeux Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We are also pleased to see that Menagerie Productions is re-launching Diamond Girls in the fall.

One of the Board’s goals remains securing a long term space that will allow us to better display and preserve Saskatchewan’s rich and diverse sporting history; however, we are also excited to announce some continued changes to our current location in the coming weeks. These changes will continue to pursue the Board’s goal of making the Hall more interactive and engaging for visitors. All of these enhancements will be items we could take with us to a new space and are part of the Board’s goal of blending the permanency of a physical location with other mediums of interactions that will better allow us to tell the story of Saskatchewan sport across a broader audience.

After a pause last year to commemorate the prior 50 years’ inductees in 2017, we are excited to resume our inductions and honour a new slate of inductees. This year’s class of inductees highlights the depth and diversity of Saskatchewan’s sporting history. We invite you to take part in the celebration of these inductees with us on September 30th.

Website: www.sasksportshalloffame.com
Facebook: SaskSportsHF
Instagram: @SaskSportsHF
Twitter: @SaskSportsHF
Review us on TripAdvisor

Best wishes,

Rankin Jaworski, 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 August/September 2017

Sheila Kelly to Receive Prestigious Schroeder Award

The International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA) has named Sheila Kelly, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF), as recipient of the prestigious Schroeder Award.

Presented periodically, the W.R. “Bill” Schroeder Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor presented by ISHA and is awarded to individuals for meritorious service of lasting nature in the sports heritage industry.

“Sheila has distinguished herself as an outstanding museum leader and strives for excellence in all aspects,” ISHA President Susan Wasser said. “Her engaging leadership skills, passion, dedication, and ingenuity has transformed sports heritage within Saskatchewan. We are thrilled to be able to honor Sheila with this award and provide her this well-deserved recognition.”

Sheila has served as Executive Director for the Hall of Fame for 28 years. During her tenure, she has impacted sports heritage from the local to the international levels by developing the Hall of Fame as the leading sports heritage association in the province. Additionally, she is credited with nurturing the development of multiple satellite halls, sports museum and sports heritage research projects. On behalf of the Hall of Fame, she also secured a formal agreement with the Province’s most successful sports team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, to house its entire collection.

“Sheila has been the sustaining factor behind the Hall for the more than 25 years and has impacted countless individuals not just across Saskatchewan, but across Canada and internationally as well,” said Rankin Jaworski, SSHF President. “ I have no doubt in my mind that the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame would not exist as it does today without Sheila and I’m beyond pleased to see her recognized on an international level with such a prestigious award for the time, energy and passion she has poured into the Hall.”

The official presentation of the Schroeder Award will take place on October 19, 2017, at “An Evening of Champions” as part of ISHA’s annual conference, hosted this year by the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, October 18-20.

For more information, contact:
Sheila Kelly, Executive Director: 306-780-9233, [email protected]
Autumn McDowell, Communications Coordinator: 306-780-9203, [email protected]

 

 

SSHF – Annual Report – 2016

Each year, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame strives to preserve and promote the history of sport in Saskatchewan, and 2016 was no exception. Our 50th Anniversary was an incredibly exciting and successful year for the SSHF.

We started this year of celebration with an enthusiasm that kept gaining momentum with each new success.  To finish the year by being named Tourism Saskatchewan’s Business of the Year Award (Under 20 Full-time Employees) was amazing recognition. We could never have imagined a more perfect end to our 50th Anniversary year.

Special thank you to all members of the Hall of Fame, your support over the past year has been overwhelming. We look forward to another 50 years!

You can download a copy of the 2016 Annual Report, right here:

Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame Annual Report 2016

 

SSHF a WINNER!

SASKATCHEWAN SPORTS HALL OF FAME NAMED
SASKATCHEWAN TOURISM AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE WINNER

Regina – Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF) was named Business of the Year (Under 20 Full-time Employees) during the 28th annual Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala, which was celebrated on April 5 at the Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel. Other finalists in our category included Harvest Eatery and Fresh Market, Shaunavon, and Last Mountain Distillery, Lumsden.

The SSHF nomination was derived on the basis of our 50th Anniversary year and the “big three” activities including Diamond Girls, 50th Anniversary Traveling Exhibit and 50th Anniversary Gala.  We would like to recognize and thank a number of key people and organizations who were instrumental in making our 50th Anniversary events, and thus this award selection, successful. Maureen Ulrich for her engaging & entertaining Diamond Girls script,  Malia Becker for bringing history alive through her stellar performance of 21 characters!, director Kenn McLeod, technical director William Hales, and stage manager Shelby-Lyn Lowe. All of our inductees, some of whom traveled great distances, and chose to participate in one or more of our anniversary events including our 50th Gala reunion celebrations.  And last, but not least, to our key sponsors who shared the vision and passion  in taking Saskatchewan’s sport history to the entire province including Saskatchewan Lotteries, Community Initiatives Fund, Saskatchewan Blue Cross, Creative Display, Sterling Truck & Trailer Sales, Hornoi Leasing, SaskTel and SGI.

We also wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to Tourism Saskatchewan for this award, as well as to our award sponsor, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. We could never have imagined a more perfect end to our 50th Anniversary year.

For more information, contact:

Sheila Kelly, Executive Director: 306-780-9233, [email protected]
Autumn McDowell, Communications Coordinator: 306-780-9203, [email protected]

For The Record: February/March 2017

For The Record

With the close of 2016, and our 50th anniversary celebrations behind us, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF) is embarking on another exciting year.

We were delighted to learn that the SSHF has been named a finalist for a Saskatchewan Tourism of Excellence Award in the category of “Business of the Year” (under 20 full-time employees). We are thrilled to receive that nomination and look forward to attending the Gala awards in April.

In 2016 we did not have an induction as the anniversary kept us very busy.  However, in 2017 we will once again have an induction ceremony to welcome new inductees into the Hall.  The media announcement to introduce this year’s class will be held at the SSHF on Thursday, April 27th.

Throughout the summer, our traveling exhibit will again be visiting a number of locations throughout the province.  The exhibit was so well received last summer and it truly gives rural Saskatchewan a taste of what the SSHF has to offer.

We are also excited about some sporting events that Saskatchewan will be hosting in 2017 and 2018. The 2017 Skate Canada International, 2018 Memorial Cup and the Brier will each be located in Regina.  These events bring awareness as well as drives sports fans to the city.  We will certainly be showcasing these sports during those events and will be looking to draw fans to the Hall where we can promote the history and success of Saskatchewan athletes.

The SSHF staff continues to run education programs and the displays are changed frequently so each time a person visits, they see something new. We have been adding technology to our repertoire and our social media channels keep expanding with more followers. Thanks to all the staff, we appreciate that they are continually thinking of new ways to show us off!

Our Board still dreams of a new location where we can find space to break many items out of storage, and no doubt, one day we will find it. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank you for your support.  We strive to have our inductees remain connected to the SSHF, and to have the general public share in the history and sporting successes of this great province.

Website: www.sasksportshalloffame.com
Facebook: SaskSportsHF
Instagram: SaskSportsHF
Twitter: @SaskSportsHF
Review us on TripAdvisor

Best wishes,

Linda Burnham, 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 February/March 2017

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release: March 6, 2017

SASKATCHEWAN SPORTS HALL OF FAME AMONG
SASKATCHEWAN TOURISM AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE FINALISTS

Regina – Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF) has been named among the finalists for the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence for 2016. Tourism Saskatchewan announced the list of finalists today (visit IndustryMatters.com for the full details).

The SSHF was nominated in the category of Business of the Year Award (Under 20 Full-time Employees). Other finalists in our category include Harvest Eatery and Fresh Market, Shaunavon, and Last Mountain Distillery, Lumsden.

The SSHF nomination was derived on the basis of our 50th Anniversary year and the “big three” activities including Diamond Girls, 50th Anniversary Traveling Exhibit and 50th Anniversary Gala.  We would like to recognize and thank a number of key people and organizations who were instrumental in making our 50th Anniversary events, and thus this nomination, successful. Maureen Ulrich for her engaging & entertaining Diamond Girls script,  Malia Becker for bringing history alive through her stellar performance of 21 characters!, director Kenn McLeod, technical director William Hales, and stage manager Shelby-Lyn Lowe. All of our inductees, some of whom traveled great distances, who chose to participate in one or more of our anniversary events including our 50th Gala reunion celebrations.  And last, but not least, to our key sponsors who shared the vision and passion  in taking Saskatchewan’s sport history to the entire province including Saskatchewan Lotteries, Community Initiatives Fund, Saskatchewan Blue Cross, Creative Display, Sterling Truck & Trailer Sales, Hornoi Leasing, SaskTel and SGI.

The SSHF is also pleased to announce that past president, Trent Fraser, will be a recipient of the Tourism Builder Award.  This award recognizes individuals who have made tourism an important part of their life’s work resulting in a positive impact on the industry they serve.  Trent has been instrumental in the strategic stewardship of the SSHF for the past seven years which culminated in our successful 50th celebrations.  He is a most deserving recipient of this award.

The finalists and award recipients will be honoured at the 28th annual Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala, which will be celebrated on April 5 at the Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel. The Tourism Builder Award will also be presented that night.

For more information, contact:

Sheila Kelly, Executive Director: 306-780-9233, [email protected]

Autumn McDowell, Communications Coordinator, 306-780-9203, [email protected]

Cultural Access Passes Welcome Here!

CAP_EN_Logo FINAL

Use your CAP card to visit the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame for free!

The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame is extremely proud to announce that we now accept Cultural Access Passes! Stop by the SSHF to see the accomplishments that individual athletes and teams have made in the province. The Hall of Fame was established to honour outstanding Saskatchewan athletes, championship teams and sport builders as well as to preserve the history of Saskatchewan sport. To see more tourist attractions in Saskatchewan, visit the CAP directory!

There are more than 1,300 of Canada’s best museums, art galleries, discovery centres, historic sites and nature parks that you can visit for free with your Cultural Access Pass. More attractions join the program all the time. Be sure to visit the Cultural Access Pass website regularly for the most up-to-date listings.

For more information on the CAP and its destinations, please click below:

Cultural Access Pass

 

 

 

For the Record: November/December

For The Record

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT LINDA BURNHAM

Our 50th anniversary year is coming to a close and what a year it has been!

The celebrations throughout 2016 have included 3 major events, a 12 months-12 events series, as well as a dedication each week to one of our 51 represented sports.

Our first major event was Diamond Girls.  This was a one-woman play depicting the stories of the Saskatchewan women who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.  The play travelled throughout the summer and received great reviews on every stage.

Next came our travelling exhibit.  A semi-trailer, which has been retrofitted to house a display of artifacts, spent the summer travelling to a number of locations throughout the province.  Our inductees represent over 140 Saskatchewan communities and the travelling exhibit enabled us to take the Hall to the people. If you missed your chance to see it this year, watch for us again in 2017!

The Gala was our last major event of the year. This was a very entertaining evening and we provided those in attendance with a view into the history of the SSHF. More details of this memorable event can be found throughout this newsletter.

We wish to thank everyone who attended our events throughout the year.  We are very grateful for the support we received, and while we did not have an induction ceremony this year, we are currently reviewing the nominations for induction in 2017!

Our Board of Directors and staff also recently spent time at our annual retreat where we enjoyed getting to know each other, and also had a full day of business where our Strategic Plan was the focus of discussion.  That plan will take us into the future with goals and direction that we continually work towards.

Throughout this hectic year it has become evident that our staff and board members are very committed and engaged, which will ensure that the SSHF continues to celebrate, preserve and promote the phenomenal sports history of our province.

On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season.  We hope you will connect with the SSHF personally as well as through our social medial channels.

Website: www.sasksportshalloffame.com
Facebook: SaskSportsHF
Instagram: @SaskSportsHF
Twitter: @SaskSportsHF
Review us on TripAdvisor

Best wishes,

Linda Burnham, 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 November/December 2016

For the Record: August/September 2016

For The Record

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT LINDA BURNHAM

 

I am honored to be President of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF). I acknowledge I have big shoes to fill, and I thank our immediate Past President Scott Waters for his dedication and service. We have a long line of Past Presidents who have contributed to advancements and successes the SSHF has experienced over the past years.

2016 has been a milestone for the SSHF as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. We have made that celebration last the entire year and have showcased three major events as highlights.

Diamond Girls is a play about the Saskatchewan women who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.   The one-act, one-woman show has toured several provinces over the last few months and it has received rave reviews everywhere it has played.   We are so proud to be associated with Diamond Girls and proud to have some of those players as inductees in the SSHF.

Our next major event has been a traveling exhibit that is presently touring throughout communities in Saskatchewan.  Our 505 inductees represent over 140 Saskatchewan communities and the traveling exhibit has been our way of taking the Hall to the people.  Another major success, the traveling exhibit has provided us with great exposure throughout the province.

The final major event will be our Gala on September 30. We have chosen to forgo the induction of a new class this year in favor of celebrating the 505 current inductees.  The successes of these inductees is cause for celebration and we wish to recognize them once again in this evening planned to be a one of a kind event.  We will showcase several inductees in Hotstove panels representing Hockey, Football and Olympians. We also have some short videos prepared to showcase many of our inductees while it tells a story about the SSHF. We hope you will join us for this exciting evening.

While we celebrate our past, we also have challenges to accomplish ahead of us.  Our Board of Directors is a group of individuals who are dedicated to making things happen, and have proven qualified to do so.  Our plan is to still secure a new location for the SSHF which will allow us to better showcase the inductees and be more appropriate for the many wonderful artifacts we possess. We continue to search for sustainable fundraising to support the Hall.  We have big dreams and those come at big costs!

I do want to recognize the amazing staff we have at the SSHF.  They have all shown dedication to this year of celebration and have most willingly given of their time to ensure the success of every event.   Thank you to Sheila, Vickie, Brock, Autumn  and the summer staff, Amber, Danelle and Jenna, who have given the SSHF such dedication and commitment in this special year.

On behalf of the Board of Directors I thank you for your support.  Please drop by the Hall, or the traveling exhibit and experience what the Hall is all about. Saskatchewan is a great sporting province. We recognize excellence. We celebrate sport.

Best wishes,

Linda Burnham, 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 August/September 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.

DSC_9232

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.

DSC_9240

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.

February Blog: Special Project Unveiled

DIAMOND GIRLS

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

DIAMOND GIRLS: DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maureen Ulrich [email protected]

*Current Tour Locations and Dates (subject to change):

Estevan (Souris Valley Theatre) – June 2016 (exact dates TBA)
Weyburn (Tommy Douglas Performing Arts Centre) – June 27
Assiniboia (Olympia Theatre) – June 28
Regina (The Artesian) – June 30
Regina Fringe Festival – July 6-10
Winnipeg Fringe Festival – July 13-24
Edmonton Fringe Festival – August 11-21
Saskatoon (Broadway Theatre) August 28

*UPDATE: Please note that dates have changed for Diamond Girls performances. Updated information will be released in early May!

For The Record: February/March 2016

For The Record

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT SCOTT WATERS

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

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

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

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

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

Website: www.sasksportshalloffame.com
Facebook: SaskSportsHF
Instagram: SaskSportsHF
Twitter: @SaskSportsHF
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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 February/March 2016

*UPDATE: Please note that dates have changed for Diamond Girls performances. Updated information will be released in early May!

 

January Blog: SSHF Reveals 50th Plans

We are currently in the midst of our 50th year at the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame! By now most of your have probably heard that we will not be having a formal, stand-alone induction in 2016. Instead, we will be having multiple events during the year, throughout the province of Saskatchewan, in order to celebrate all 505 of our inductees and Saskatchewan’s rich sport history.

While some of our big announcements will have to wait to be unveiled, others are already in motion:

12 Months, 12 Events: Throughout 2016, the SSHF will be selecting one special event each month to feature in our “12 Months, 12 Events” 50th Anniversary project. Our first event of the year will be held at Peak Performance Hockey, inside of The Co-operators Centre in Regina. This event will serve to celebrate Hockey Day in Saskatchewan and will take place on January 15 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. It will also act as a pre-game event for the University of Regina Cougars game happening at 7:00pm that night. We will have many of our hockey inductees attending this event, including 1974 Memorial Cup Champion, Ed Staniowski, as well as other local hockey figures.

51 Sports in 52 Weeks: A virtual celebration of our inducted sports on a week-by-week basis. This social media experience will highlight key inductees and artifacts of each sport throughout the week. It will also include a special “where are they now” update on a featured inductee every Wednesday.

#SSHF50: For our 50th year we also wanted to implement a special hashtag for use on social media. Please feel free to search the hashtag #SSHF50 on both Twitter and Instagram to see all of our posts pertaining to our 50th year. Getting involved in this is easy! If you are at one of our events throughout the year, and post something to Twitter or Instagram about it, please include our hashtag at the end to share your experience!

2015 was a great year, but 2016 will be even better! Please join us at every opportunity to celebrate our 50th!

 

Don’t forget to like and follow us on all of our Social Media accounts to stay up to date:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SaskSportsHF
Twitter: @SaskSportsHF
Instagram: @SaskSportsHF