Four former York varsity athletes and one coach are big winners in the 2004 University sports world. York’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science has named them to the York University Sport Hall of Fame, and they will be formally inducted on Thursday, May 27, at a dinner and ceremony at Montecassino Banquet Hall, 140 Jevlan Drive (Weston Road and Highway 7).
Created in 1980, the Sport Hall of Fame honours individuals who have significantly contributed to York’s interuniversity sport program as athletes, coaches and administrators; and who have exemplified the spirit and ideals of York University sports in their professional and community life. The selection committee consisted of three varsity alumni, two student athletes and several university administrators, including the Chair of Kinesiology & Health Science and the director of Sport & Recreation.
2004 inductees
Bob Carisse – As a member of York’s gymnastics team from 1973 to 1978, Bob Carisse captured eight Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) gold medals and 10 Ontario Universities Athletic Association (OUAA) gold medals. In each of his five years as a student-athlete, York’s gymnastics team won five OUAA Championships and five CIAU Championships.
Sue Gaston (nee Howard) – In five seasons with the York women’s hockey team (1980-1985), Sue (Howard) Gaston was named an Ontario Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Association (OWIAA) All-Star four times and was among the league’s Top 10 scorers all four seasons. York captured the OWIAA silver medal in 1980-1981 and 1981-1982 before winning the school’s first-ever 
OWIAA Women’s Hockey Championship in 1982-1983. At the conclusion of her playing career, Gaston served as head coach of the team for three years, capturing the OWIAA Championship in 1986-1987.
Nicole Masil (nee Sinn) – During her two-year tenure, Nicole (Sinn) Masil was a member of York’s 1989-1990 CIAU Championship track and field team. York’s Female Athlete of the Year in 1989-1990, Masil won six CIAU gold medals and still holds the school record in the 1,000-metre. In 1991, she became the only woman to win three gold medals in the distance events at the CIAU level. After she left York, in the 1991 Outdoor and 1992 Indoor Canadian National Champion in the 800-meter, Masil was also a member of the 1991 World University Games Team.
Tim Rider – Tim Rider was a member of the York men’s basketball team 1981-1986. During that time, York dominated the OUAA, winning three championships and advancing to the CIAU Championship in 1981-1982. A four-time OUAA All-Star, Rider was named the OUAA East Division Most Valuable Player in 1985-1986.
Marina van der Merwe – From 1971 to 1999, Marina van der Merwe coached the York women’s field hockey team. During that time, she guided her team to six CIAU silver medals, two CIAU bronze medals and seven Ontario University Athletics (OUA) titles. She was also the recipient of numerous CIAU and OUA Coach of the Year Awards. As Canada’s national team coach 1976-1995, van der Merwe produced one of Canada’s most impressive success stories in team sports by turning the squad into an international powerhouse.
Above: Marina van der Merwe
For more information on York’s Sport Hall of Fame induction dinner and ceremony, click here.