The 2011 inductees to the York University Sport Hall of Fame have been announced by the School of Kinesiology & Health Science. Four former interuniversity athletes and one coach will be inducted during the dinner and ceremony on Friday, Sept. 23.
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 varsity alumni, current student-athletes and several university administrators.
Dexter Abrams (BA ’93, BSW Spec. Hons. ‘10) is one of the most decorated men’s volleyball players in York history. He was named an Ontario University Athletics Associaion (OUAA) first-team all-star in all five years he played at York (1988-1991, 1992-1994) and earned Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) second-team all-Canadian honours three times (1989-1990, 1994). The York program won three OUAA gold medals while he was a member of the team – in 1989, 1993 and 1994 – and competed at the national championship in each of those seasons, winning a program-best bronze medal in 1989. Abrams was named York’s male athlete of the year in 1993, the same season he received MVP honours at the Kerst International Volleyball Tournament in Assen, Holland, and continued to play on Canada Volleyball’s masters team after graduation. A strong student as well as a talented athlete, he returned to York to complete his bachelor of arts degree in social work and was listed on the dean’s honour roll.
Kathy Broderick (left) was the assistant coach of the field hockey and indoor hockey programs at York from 1978 to 1999 and was known as one of the top goalkeeper coaches in the country. During that time, she helped guide the team to six CIAU silver medals, two CIAU bronze medals and seven Ontario Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Association (OWIAA) titles each in field hockey and indoor hockey. She was also an assistant coach with the Canadian national team at three Pan American Games (1987, 1991, 1995), winning one silver medal and two bronze medals, and at three Olympic Summer Games (1984, 1988, 1992). Broderick stayed at York University after leaving the field hockey team, serving as a contract faculty member in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science.
Cheryl (Punnett) Curtis (BA ’91) received OWIAA East Division all-star honours three times (1988-1989, 1991) in her four-year career as the goalkeeper for the York women’s soccer program. In that time the team won two medals at the OWIAA championships, a silver in 1988 and a bronze in 1990. Curtis had her best season in 1991, backstopping the team to an undefeated regular season while allowing just two goals in 10 games played during that stretch. She was recognized as the top goalkeeper in the country that year, earning CIAU first-team all-Canadian honours and was also named York’s female athlete of the month in September 1991.
Steve Ince (BA ’74) played split end for the York football team from 1971 to 1973 and received OUAA all-star honours in all three years he was a member of the team. The captain of the squad in his final season in 1973, he also set a team record that year for most receptions in a season at 36, a record that stood until 2005. He remains among the team’s top 10 all-time in career receptions and receiving yards.
Right: Steve Ince
Bob Wasson (BA ’77) was one of the top two-way talents in the country when he played for the York men’s hockey team from 1974 to 977. His best season was in 1975-1976, when he was named an OUAA all-star and a CIAU all-Canadian. He received OUAA all-star honours again the following season. In both years he finished as one of the top scorers in the country and in 1976-1977 was second in league scoring. York finished first in regular-season league play twice and won three consecutive silver medals in the OUAA championship game in Wasson’s three years with the program. He graduated as one of the top scorers in program history and remains among the team’s top 20 in goals and total points.
The Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony will take place at Montecassino Banquet Hall in Woodbridge. Tickets are $75 per person or $600 per table (eight seats) and can be purchased online. For more information on the event, contact Kim Mathoney at 416-736-5982.