By Evan Midford, Website & Social Media Coordinator
On behalf of its Board of Directors and Selection Committee, the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame has announced the Class of 2024.
This year’s class encompasses three individual athletes, two builders, and one team, and features Special Olympics, hockey, volleyball, multi-sport, and sport medicine.
“I want to congratulate the inductees for all they have accomplished in sport,” said Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Co-Chair Jeff Palamar. “This is an outstanding class of honourees and we look forward to their induction on November 7, 2024.”
“The Induction Ceremony will be a time to revel in the storied journeys of five remarkable individuals and an outstanding team whose contributions have shaped the sport world,” said Janet McMahon, President & CEO of Sport Manitoba. “A warm congratulations to the Class of 2024! We eagerly anticipate celebrating your exceptional achievements and honouring your dedication to sport. Your legacies inspire all of us!”
The inductees are:
Jennifer Botterill – Athlete – Hockey
Ottawa-born and Winnipeg-raised Jennifer Botterill holds the record for most points in an NCAA hockey career (men and women). The three-time Olympic gold medallist for the Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team (2002, 2006, 2010) also won silver at the Games as the youngest member of the first Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team (1998), along with five IIHF Women’s World Championships. Botterill is now a hockey analyst for major sports outlets and a motivational keynote speaker.
photo supplied by Special Olympics Manitoba
Brita Hall – Athlete – Special Olympics
Our first inductee from Special Olympics, multi-sport athlete Brita Hall has a combined six gold and eight silver Special Olympics Games medals in cross-country skiing and track and field (1993, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2007). Hall is the recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the first-ever athlete to receive the Dr. Frank Hayden Lifetime Achievement Award from Special Olympics Canada, making her the first Manitoban with an intellectual disability to receive these awards.
Ted Irvine – Athlete – Hockey
Known as the “Baby-Faced Assassin,” Winnipeg’s Ted Irvine was a fierce competitor in hockey. After a successful junior career with the St. Boniface Canadiens and Winnipeg Braves, Irvine played his first NHL game for the Boston Bruins. He is best known for his time with the New York Rangers in a career that included 154 goals, 331 points, and 657 PIMs across 724 games. Off the ice, Irvine was instrumental in bringing the Special Olympics to Manitoba.
photo supplied by Pure Lifestyle
Russ Horbal – Builder – Sport Medicine
Russ Horbal was one of three founders of the Sport Physiotherapy Centre and its predecessor, the Institute for Sports Medicine. His passion for athletics shone in multiple arenas, including professionally with the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg Goldeyes, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Russ’ dedication also led him to three Olympics and several Pan Am and University Games as part of Canada’s medical team. Horbal continues to practice today and teaches at the University of Manitoba.
Dr. Sandra Kirby – Builder – Multi-Sport
A former Olympic athlete turned sports researcher and presenter, Dr. Sandra Kirby implemented standards for safe sport with numerous organizations, some of which she is a founding member. The proud Manitoban was an international multi-sport umpire at the Pan Am Games (2011) and the Paralympic Games (2012), as well as a founder and coach of the University of Winnipeg Rowing Team (1989-1995). As a trusted voice in the sport community, Kirby continues to advocate for gender equality and safe sport.
photos supplied by the University of Manitoba
1999-2003 University of Manitoba Bisons – Team – Volleyball
For four consecutive CIS (now USports) seasons, the University of Manitoba Men’s Bisons volleyball team was all-out dominant, capturing three national championships and placing third once. Led by previous Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame inductees Jim Schreyer (1999-2000) and Garth Pischke (2001-2003), the Bisons ruled the court with few parallels in history. This dynasty includes 28 players, many continuing their passion for volleyball into their professional careers and volunteerism.
This year, we are also proud to add Randy Turner to the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour:
photo supplied by the Winnipeg Free Press
Randy Turner – Sportswriter
Randy Turner started his incredible career with the Winnipeg Free Press in 1987 as a rural beat reporter before moving to sports in 1993, covering the Winnipeg Goldeyes. His work shifted to reporting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1997 and later as a sports columnist. The Bossevain native won two National Newspaper Awards and covered some of the world’s biggest sports tournaments before he passed away in 2019.
The Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Annual Induction Ceremony presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries will take place on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg. Tickets are on sale now at this link.
The Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame & Museum is a registered charitable organization, managed by a volunteer board of directors. Every year, we host a series of fundraising events—like the induction ceremony—that allow us to fulfill our mandate of honouring and celebrating those who have left their mark on Manitoba’s rich sports history.
