YOUR HALL Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Summer 2026 Newsletter
HOSTING THE NATIONAL SPORT HERITAGE CONFERENCE
Diversity Panelists
Goalball Demonstration
Diane Jones Konihowski closed out the conference by sharing personal stories from her time as an Olympian, her life as a sport builder, and so much more.
The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame was proud to host the Canadian Association for Sport Heritage (CASH) conference, bringing together staff from other sport institutions from across the country for three days of connection and learning. The event began with a pre-conference tour of Drumheller, including visits to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, the Atlas Coal Mine, and lunch at the historic Last Chance Saloon. Day 1 featured discussions on diversity in sport, highlighted by a panel with Paralympian Tammy Cunnington and Hall of Fame alumni Patrick Jarvis, Cara Currie Hall, Ed Molstad, and Ross Norton, moderated by Dale Henwood. Attendees also heard presentations from the Centre for Cultural Futures Canada, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, and Tourism Red Deer, experienced a goalball demonstration, and enjoyed an evening at Wolf Creek Golf Resort. Day 2 included a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hall of Fame’s collections facility led by Museum Operations Manager Breanna, sessions from Rambo Consulting Group and the Alberta Museums Association, an inspiring presentation from Hall of Fame board member and alumni Diane Jones Konihowski, and a pickleball lesson.
Alumni
NEWS
Celebrating & Remembering our Alumni
Hall of Fame Visits
News & Honours Alex Gough joined the International Luge Federation’s Track Construction Commission Beckie Scott became the CEO of Nordiq Canada Cassie Campbell-Pascall became a Hockey Alberta Ambassador and was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame Carol Huynh was inducted into the Wrestling Canada Hall of Fame Rec Centre in Red Deer was named after Don Moore Dwayne Mandrusiak celebrates 50 seasons with the Edmonton Elks Innisfail overpass renamed the Jack Daines Memorial Overpass Jaret Llewellyn inducted into the Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada Hall of Fame Jenn Heil was Chef de Mission for 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games Jennifer Krempien was inducted into the Canada Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame Lyn Radford awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence
Jerri Duce Rodeo Athlete-2010
Rob Kerr Bell Memorial-2019
Kessie Stefanyk & Shannon Court U of L Rugby Teams-2015
Ozzie Sawicki Paralympic Builder-2024
John Primrose Joe Forzani Football Achievement-2016 Shooting Athlete-1974
Ron Thompson Athletics Builder-2024
Bob Ridley Bell Memorial-2000
Warren Hansen Curling Builder-2016
In Memoriam Don Moore Brian McPherson Multisport Builder Alberta Northern Lights Wheelchair Basketball Team Inducted in 2010 Inducted in 2008 Douglas Bovee Wheelchair Sports Athlete Christine Hampshire Inducted in 1976 Artistic Swimming Builder Inducted in 2011 Douglas Silverberg Golf Athlete Inducted in 1985
Ev Nowlin Broder’s Chinooks Basketball Teams Inducted in 2014 Glenn Hall Hockey Athlete Inducted in 2011
Guy Cormier Bell Memorial Award Inducted in 1987 Fran Heath Artistic Swimming Builder Inducted in 1995 Keith Mercer 1962-64 Edmonton Huskies Jr. Football Teams Inducted in 2005
Ro Riley 1962-64 Edmonton Huskies Jr. Football Teams Inducted in 2005 Tom Glass Chuckwagon Athlete Inducted in 2013
Alumni
NEWS
Celebrating & Remembering our Alumni All vignettes and videos can be seen on our Youtube channel @ABSportsHallOfFamechannel
Inductees
Legends Unveiled Gary Beck & Ray Peets, Gordie Bonin & Gordon Jenner & Ron Hodgson, Pat Bowlen, William Connelly, Orv Franchuk, Brian Fryer, Wilf Girletz, Dr, Randy Gregg, Al Hamilton, Duke Keats, Cathy King, W.P Kinsella, Mel Kowalchuk, Gail Lee, Reno Lizzi, John McKenzie, Midnight the Horse, Warren Moon, Jules Owchar, Red Pollard, Joe Poplawski, Bernie Sparkes, Cecil & Paul Thompson, Garry Unger, Dianne Violini
Class of 2025 Alex Gough - Luge Athlete Brady Leman - Alpine/Freestyle Skiing Athlete Brian & Robin McKeever - Para Nordiq Athletes Clara Hughes - Multisport Athlete Ross Norton - Wheelchair Basketball Athlete Viviane Forest - Para Multisport Athlete Dianne Greenough - Cheer Builder Hugh Hoyles - Volleyball Builder Les Gramantik - Athletics Builder 1981-1989 RDC Queens Volleybal Teams Arnie Jackson - Bell Memorial Award George Hopkins - Achievement Award Dwayne Mandrusiak - Achievement Award
Legends Unveiled In September 2025, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Hall of Fame's move to its permanent location in Red Deer, the Board of Directors selected 25 individuals and teams for a special Induction ceremony honouring a unique class whose contributions to sport had long deserved recognition.
This group included some firsts, including the Hall of Fame’s first motorsport inductees (Gary Beck, Ray Peets, Gordie Bonin, Gordon Jenner, and Ron Hodgson) and its very first animal (Midnight the Horse). Class of 2026 Jen Kish - Rugby Athlete Shannon Kleibrink - Curling Athlete Jim Steacy - Hammer Throw Athlete Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski - Rowing Athlete Dennis Allen - Multisport Builder Bernie Haley - Hockey Builder Donna Rudakas - Basketball Builder Dale Schulha - Multisport Builder Bud Steen - Football Builder 1995 Calgary Canucks - Hockey Team David Moir - Bell Memorial Award Allen Berg - Achievement Award Dr. Bob Bratton - Pioneer Award
The ceremony was emceed by alumni Lisa Miller and included a luncheon at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, a presentation of the awards, and a Hot Stove Q & A with inductees Joe Poplawski, Cathy King, Ron Hodgson, and Brian Fryer. The Hot Stove was moderated by alumni and former Board Chair Dale Henwood.
Who Should Join These Sports Heroes in the Hall of Fame? The deadline to submit nominations for the Class of 2027 is September 30. Nomination packages can be found at www.albertasportshall.ca/nominate or by scanning the QR Code
Hall of Fame
NEWS
What Have We Been Up To
Facility Upgrades
News & Honours Received Outstanding Achievement Heritage Award, presented by the Government of Alberta New electronic vehicle charging stations installed in the parking lot Filmed promo video featuring alumni Ken Read, Diane Jones Konihowski, Mark Tewksbury, & Dr. Willie Littlechild
From new EV charging stations and display cases, to a bathroom renovation, and a new virtual sports system, it has been an exciting start to the upgrades. And there is more to come!
Education & Programs
Celebrated 25 years as members of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce Collaborated with local businesses that donated family admission passes to underprivileged families during the holidays Achieved Leader Status with the Alberta Museums Association meaning we have demonstrated we are elevating standards, strengthening operations, and pushing our museum practice to the next level. Collaborated with CrossIron Mills to create a special temporary exhibit celebrating the Calgary Flames Completed the first step in our building renovation, the public washrooms The Red Deer Kinsmen Club became the new sponsors of our Beyond the Classroom Education Program
We expanded on our educational and programming opportunities, including revamping our toddler program, adding a new education program, and ran day camps throughout the Alberta Teachers strike. Visit our website www.albertasportshall.ca to book an education program with us.
Exhibits
Recent exhibits have highlighted a local shooting athlete, featured a collaboration with CrossIron Mills, showcased a display from the Calgary Balloon Club, and showcased the Kelly Sutherland Bronze.
Events Hosted
Events Attended
Olympic & Paralympic Meet & Greet
32nd Annual Golf Tournament
Alberta Basketball 50th Anniversary Gala
Xplore Sport
Halloween Party
Santa’s Meet & Greet
Empower Her Sport Summit
Red Deer Home Show
Easter Events
New Year’s Eve Family Party
Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Finals
Westerner Days
Bus Trip to Curling Women’s Worlds
CASH Conference
Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame Gala
Alberta Winter Games
Hall of Fame
NEWS
Big Changes are Coming!
Facility Enhancement The Hall of Fame has always been more than a museum. It’s a place where generations connect through stories of perseverance, teamwork, leadership, and community spirit. It’s where young people can see what is possible, and where the accomplishments of Alberta athletes, builders, and teams continue to inspire long after the final whistle. Proposed Layout
The proposed plan for the redesigned Hall of Fame means creating multiple new spaces and galleries. After 26 years, it is time for a refresh. A redesigned lobby will improve visitor flow, create a stronger sense of arrival, and feature a dedicated photo opportunity area where guests can capture and share their Hall of Fame experience. A new Albertan Stories Gallery will allow visitor to explore iconic sport rivalries, legendary broadcasters, memorable Olympic achievements, and other defining moments that have inspired generations of Albertans. The main gallery space will be reimagined into four distinct seasonal galleries, celebrating the sports and activities that define Alberta throughout the year. And so many more upgrades. These enhancements will create an inspiring destination that celebrates Alberta’s sporting excellence, strengthens community connections, advances accessibility and inclusion, and ensures the stories of Alberta’s athletes, builders, and pioneers continue to inspire future generations.
Lobby Concept
Hall of Fame Gallery Concept
We are excited to share that the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is embarking on a significant Facility Enhancement Project, an investment in the future of sport history, education, and community engagement in our province. This enhancement project will be spearheaded by Tracey, our Executive Director, as well as Kelly Blackshaw, who is an alumni of the Hall of Fame, as well as a member of our Board of Directors. We hope you’ll join us on this journey. Please connect with Tracey at director@albertasportshall.ca to ask how to help.
Alberta Stories Concept
Multi-Purpose Space Concept
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Connect with us! 403-341-8614
info@albertasportshall.ca
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Help Us Preserve Alberta’s Sport History for the Next Generation As we embark on this exciting renovation, your support will help create a space worthy of Alberta’s remarkable sporting legacy. By donating today, you are helping preserve the stories, achievements, and inspiration of our athletes for generations to come. Amount: Name: Address: City:
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Complete and return to #102 4200 Hwy 2 Red Deer, AB T4N 1E3, info@albertasportshall.ca, or call 403-341-8614
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