The School of Kinesiology & Health Science has announced the 2005 inductees to the York University Sport Hall of Fame. Six former interuniversity athletes will be inducted during the dinner and ceremony on Thursday, May 26, in Woodbridge.
Created in 1980, the Sport Hall of Fame honours individuals who have significantly contributed to York's inter-university 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.
2005 Inductees
Mark Ainsworth (BA '82) was a member of the York men's volleyball team from 1978 to 1982. During that time, York dominated the Ontario University Athletics Association (OUAA), winning three championships and advancing to three Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Association (CIAU) National Championship tournaments. A four-time OUAA All-Star and a 1979-80 CIAU All-Canadian, Ainsworth is among York's career leaders in kills, digs and service aces.
In five seasons (1984-1988) with York’s field and indoor hockey teams, Sharon (Bayes) Speers (right, foreground in 1984) (BA '89) was a four-time CIAU All-Canadian and five-time Ontario Women’s Interuniversity Athletic Association (OWIAA) All-Star. York won two silver medals at the CIAU National Championship (1984-1985, 1986-1987), where Bayes was named to the tournament All-Star team. Bayes was also a member of the Canadian Olympic field hockey team at the 1984 and 1988 Games.
Angelo Kioussis (BA '80) was a member of the York football team from 1976-1979. A three-time OUAA All-Star, he was the first York football player to be named a CIAU All-Canadian. Kioussis was the OUAA's Top Defensive Player and the recipient of the Tom Pate CFL/CIAU Award (academics, football and community involvement) in 1979.
In five years with York's gymnastics team (1973-1978), Steve MacLean (left) (PhD ‘83/BSc ‘77), who is now an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, was a member of five CIAU and OUAA Championship squads. At the National Championships, MacLean collected three gold medals including all-around Champion in 1975-1976. He also added a pair of individual gold medals at the OUAA Championships.
Nancy (McDonnell) Gabriel spent two years with York's gymnastics team (1974-1975, 1977-1978). During that time, she captured three CIAU individual gold medals including all-around Champion in 1977-1978. A member of two OWIAA Championship teams, McDonnell won five individual gold medals including all-around Champion at the 1977-1978 OWIAA Championships.
Also being honoured is gymnast Dan Gaudet (BSc '83), who was selected in 2002. Gaudet spent five seasons with York gymnastics team (1978-1983) . During that time, York collected five consecutive OUAA titles and four CIAU titles. At the National finals, Gaudet collected 10 individual medals including three all-around Championships. At the OUAA Championships, he collected a total of 21 medals including four all-around Championships. Gaudet was chose to compete for Canada at the 1984 Olympic Games.
The Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 26, at the Montecassino Banquet Hall in Woodbridge. Tickets are $75 a person or $600 a table and are available at the Sport York Office, 302 Tait McKenzie Centre. To purchase tickets, call ext. 55183.