This page highlights the accomplishments of Inductees in the Builder category. From here follow the link to access the full story as well as photographs of the inductees.
These men and women share a life-long love of sports along with a strong desire to
share their attributes with other citizens. They selflessly and tenaciously give their time, energy, and expertise to advance and enhance our sporting environments and opportunities. They build the infrastructure and
establish the environment for sports in our communities. They build fields and arenas,
teams and leagues; they provide administrative support, guidance, and
inspiration.
Don Buskas has spent the past 33 years officiating the sports of hockey and baseball. He served as Referee in Chief for Wetaskiwin Minor Hockey for 14 years (1997-2010) and instructed at clinics for hockey officials in many Alberta communities. In baseball he served on the Provincial Umpire Committee from 2000 to 2021 and was supervisor for Baseball Alberta Zone 4 for five seasons. He became a nationally certified umpire, taught umpire clinics and supervised officials in numerous provincial championships. For 11 years he umpired the Canada National Championships and also umpired in the Golden Baseball League, the North American Baseball League and professional ball for the Edmonton Capitals.
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Manitoban born Danny Gusdal enjoyed outstanding achievements as a receiver and coach in football. As a player, his team won the Canada West Championship in 1965 and 1966. As a coach he received the Winnipeg Blue Bomber award for coaching high school football. Danny taught and coached football and golf at Wetaskiwin Composite High School for twenty-one years, as well as community hockey. His teams won three football league championships, challenged at provincial football playoffs and won a provincial high school golf championship. Danny was instrumental in the development of the Wetaskiwin community minor football program and also helped establish the WCHS Football Fundraising Society.
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Harold Parfett was born and raised in Wetaskiwin. In 1966 when he was fifteen he was introduced to the sport of drag racing at the Speedway in Edmonton. That experience helped to fuel his life-long passion for the sport. Harold started out in car racing by sponsoring cars and talented drivers in stock car racing and drag racing, with drivers achieving international recognition and gracing the covers of numerous racing programs. Eventually Harold was able to own his own cars. Because of his contributions, sponsorship and achievements Harold has been inducted into two motorsport Halls of Fame. In 2016 he was inducted into the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame and in 2022 into the Western Canada Motorsports Hall of Fame.
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The western lifestyle and sport of rodeo has always been an important part of Rod Hok’s life; it encompasses who he is. Rod was on a horse working cattle from a young age. Riding calves in the branding pen lit a fire in him that has yet to be extinguished. He has been involved in rodeo all of his life as a competitor, volunteer, proud father, judge, chairman, arena director, and supporter. Rod moved to Wetaskiwin in 1978 and immediately joined the Wetaskiwin Agricultural Society eager to immerse himself in the community. He has been involved with the Wetaskiwin Rawhide Rodeo since its beginning in 1999 and continues to promote the growth and betterment of the sport of rodeo in its entirety.
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Once a volunteer, always a volunteer” pretty well describes Don Forth’s life. He started out coaching his son’s hockey teams. He then became a hockey referee officiating youth and then “old timers" games. Don was always interested in stock car racing and in 1968 he was part of the founding group of the Wetaskiwin Stock Car Club (WSCC). That year the club built the Sunset Speedway just west of Wetaskiwin and Don has been involved at the race track ever since. Don also achieved the status of being the First Master Bowler in Wetaskiwin. He coached youth bowling for 32 years and still volunteers his time at Western Lanes. Besides that he also donates his time to the Wetaskiwin Icemen Hockey Club.
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Marilyn Snedden has been a volunteer in sports for almost fifty years! She has volunteered as a Coach, Manager, Zone Rep and Sports Rep in Softball, Ringette, Female Hockey, Male Softball/Fastpitch and Hockey throughout Alberta. She has also served as a Board Member or administrator for various sports organizations in our community. Because of her volunteer efforts in Alberta, in 1990 she was inducted into Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame and in 2004 she was inducted into Softball Alberta’s Sports Hall of Fame. Over the Marilyn received numerous certificates, plaques and awards for her involvement. You can expect to find Marilyn in the crowd at many sporting events - she is a “super sports fan”.
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For fifty-six years Bill Mojelski has been volunteering his time with Wetaskiwin sports and recreation as a coach, referee, volunteer and historian. Bill operates on the premise “if it isn’t recorded it didn’t happen” and to this end he has worked tirelessly documenting Wetaskiwin's and Wetaskiwin County’s sporting history, producing two research documents, written the nomination materials and anecdotal notes for numerous teams and individuals and helped in developing the goals and directions for our board. Bill’s contributions to our community make him more than worthy of this induction.
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For the sixty years Al has lived in Alder Flats, he has been the unheralded volunteer, fund-raiser and go-to guy to get things done. In that time he's been instrumental in building and maintaining recreational facilities, organizing activities, fundraising, and being an active participant and left his marke in curling, hockey, rodeos, annual pack horse races, the Centennial Park, and Legion to name just a few contributions. What he started by helping his dad in 1957 with the building of a community hall expanded and continues to this day even though he is an octogenarian.
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Chuck Hebert moved to Wetaskiwin in 1996 to teach high school Physical Education at Wetaskiwin Composite High School and to act as the school’s Athletic Director. During Chuck's nineteen-year tenure the WCHS won over twenty Provincial Championships. Chuck was coach or assistant coach in five sports through which those teams/students won fourteen Provincial Championships and twenty-five zone championships. In 2015 Alberta High Schools Sports Hall of Fame honoured him with induction. Among other achievements Chuck founded the Wetaskiwin Minor Basketball Association.
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George Hunerfauth immigrated to Canada from Switzerland when he was a young man. After traveling across Canada he discovered a welcoming community in Wetaskiwin and settled here. In 1967 he had a vision for a unique community enterprise - the Wetaskiwin North-Am International Snowmobile Race. His vision became a reality in 1968 and within a few years of its inauguration the race attracted 20,000 spectators, was covered by national media and drew competitors from across Canada and the United States.
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When Larry moved to Wetaskiwin in 1970 to begin his teaching career, he was expected to coach boys' volleyball. Having no experience in the sport, Larry attended a volleyball coaching clinic and launched his twenty-three year coaching career which took him to eleven Provincial Championships, three appearances at Nationals, a National Bronze Medal and then to Japan where he continued to have success. Known as Coach "E" his methods, aimed at establishing a winning mentality - the value of hard work, goal setting, a positive attitude, confidence, and belief in their abilities - were ahead of the times.
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Margaret Perry grew up in Wetaskiwin, started dancing at the age of four and had founded the Wetaskiwin School of Ballet by age eleven. Her passion for dance has not only given her vast experience as a professional dancer, choreographer and trainer, it has garnered Margaret several awards and global recognition. She founded several schools of dance, inspiring her graduates to become professional dancers and establish their own dance schools around the globe. Her expertise and dedication included creating syllabi and dance programs for recreational ballet that are utilized internationally.
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Bob Hartnell is being recognized for his volunteer work in recreation and sport in Wetaskiwin. Bob was chairman or a member of many recreation committees; was President or Governor of numerous sport or hockey related organizations and leagues; coached and/or managed many hockey teams; initiated many innovative programs and organized countless hockey activities. Through his involvement Bob has made significant contributions to the citizens of our community. The people of our community and especially the youth have benefitted immensely from the volunteer commitment of Bob Hartnell.
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Bill Milnthorp has been dedicated to recreation and sport in the Wetaskiwin area for most of the 52 years that he has lived in Wetaskiwin. He has served on many recreation committees, organized many fund raising ventures, initiated some sporting activities, was Chairman or President of numerous sports-related organizations, coached teams in various sports and at many levels. He committed countless hours to hockey, curling, figure skating, fastball, golf, skate-athons, skiing, summer games, and service clubs which translates into significant benefits to the citizens of our community.
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In 1952 the Wetaskiwin City Council set up the Wetaskiwin Recreation Commission and Bill Bell-Bathgate was hired in 1956. He was 32 years old and held the position for twelve years. Although he had no formal training he had been involved in sports in Wetaskiwin (coached hockey, refereed hockey, started a football team), knew there was a lot of sport talent in the city and had the leadership qualities necessary for the job. When Bill became the Recreation Director, the Kinsmen outdoor swimming pool had just opened, the city had approved money for improving the Recreation Hall and under Bill’s leadership the Recreation Commission took over.
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One of the most ardent
supporters of curling and horseshoes Albert made his
mark in the sporting history of Wetaskiwin when his
foresight, vigorous and dedicated volunteer hours were
instrumental in established a new championship-sized
curling rink in Wetaskiwin after fire crippled the
former building. Albert was
President of the Wetaskiwin Curling Club from 1969 to 1980. In addition he booked
rentals, organized leagues and bonspiels and generally gave freely of his time
to keep the facility running smoothly. He was literally the face and name behind curling in
Wetaskiwin for those years.
He was also an accomplished
competitor in horseshoes and established a strong club in
Wetaskiwin.
In 1994-1995 Woody and a few local parents whose children were playing hockey rejuvenated the Winfield Hockey Program. They drafted a new set of bylaws and established more formal protocols and procedures. The “Mighty Ducks” were born and many great things were about to happen to the small town of Winfield. Besides coaching, Woody contributes by volunteering in the administration of the sport and is a driving force in major fundraising ventures for local hockey programs and facilities. During his time as principal at the Winfield Elementary School, he always hosted a Track and Field Day. The Arena in Winfield now bears his name.
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Jim moved to Wetaskiwin in 1982 and at the time of his induction was 89 years of age and still going strong. He was a driving force in establishing many successful projects, including the Hall of Fame. Before living in Wetaskiwin Jim was involved with the Saskatoon Elk’s Hockey Club, the Humboldt Indians Junior Hockey Club, the New Westminster Royals Hockey Club, the Vancouver Minor Lacrosse Association, the New Westminster O’Keefe Lacrosse Club, the Edmonton Oil Kings Hockey Club and the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Team. Bill was he "go to guy" when it came to fundraising. With him as Director of Promotions, Wetaskiwin became the first city in history to make Summer Games profit.
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Bruce spent countless hours as a coach and organizer in the minor sports of hockey and fastball. His fastball teams had Gold Medal Wins at the Alberta Summer Games and the Western Canadian Championships. Significantly, twenty-three of the young men that Bruce coached in minor hockey went on to play at a higher level, either junior, college or in the NHL. Many men can attest to the positive influence that Bruce had on them as teenagers when Bruce was their coach in either hockey or fastball during the 1970’s and 1980’s. That is a fine legacy and only one of the reasons he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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Brian Brown's contribution to sports, particularly fastball and hockey can be highlighted by several notable awards - Winner of Winter Olympic Coach Award, Alberta Amateur Softball Associations Award of Merit, Honorary Ironman Award. Add his accolades as coach of several Gold Medal Championship teams and the recognition from his peers for being chauffer, grounds keeper, co-coordinator, referee, umpire, organizer and the ultimate fan and you get but a brief description of a man dedicated to helping build sporting programs in this community.
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Wetaskiwin's first swimming pool, a new arena, the formation of the North Central Alberta Intermediate Hockey League are just the beginning of the list of Len Roberts achievements. He was instrumental in administration and coaching summer and winter minor sports. He is fondly remembered for spending Saturdays with many teams. Other coaches who had to work and could not be there could count on Len to fill in for them. Len was a great promoter of sport for young people and provided leadership at several levels of sport in Wetaskiwin.
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George started coaching softball at Falun in 1970 and continued to do so for the next twenty five years. Often the teams he coached had no league to play in. Even so these teams from a small community were Provincial Champions, garnered seven Provincial titles and eleven runner-up awards. As a youngster George never had opportunities to play on organized teams. He however a “student of the game”. When attending tournaments as a coach and his team wasn’t playing George would watch the other teams and analyze their strategies. He coached both boys and girls teams. George often transported players who didn’t have rides and sometimes he even bought team uniforms, baseballs, bats, bases and plates for his teams.
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After a stint in the RCAF In 1947 Ralph Pocock returned to Wetaskiwin and became the driving force behind the formation of the Boys' Minor Hockey Association in Wetaskiwin and District. The system he helped to devise was studied and copied by those in adjacent towns and continues to this day. Ralph’s life during those years was consumed with hockey and during that three year period participation in Wetaskiwin hockey almost quadrupled. Ralph also worked tirelessly behind the scenes. He made sure that no young player was left out due to a lack of finances and made contacts with scouts for the Junior A teams in Western Canada, which resulted in a few Wetaskiwin players being invited to hockey schools and try-out camps.
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Al Arner traveled by train from Nova Scotia to Calgary and headed northward on Highway 2 on a motorcycle. He stopped at each centre along the way, looking for a shop to set up a radio shop. Luckily, in Wetaskiwin he found a building and decided that Wetaskiwin needed the Sport Shop . If you lived in Wetaskiwin between 1946 ‑ 1985, you most likely knew Al, his store, and had fun with his dime‑zapper. Al received eleven recognition awards in his lifetime for his dedication to the community. Besides a generous sponsor and supporter, he coached teams in Wetaskiwin over three decades - some of those teams are inductees - and is remembered by many for his "Lieutenant Arner Coaching Approach".
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Norman Brown, excelled on both the hockey and baseball teams at Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Saskatchewan. Also an academic success story, after getting a masters degree at the University of Toronto in 1948, Norm returned to Notre Dame to teach - he asked for no salary just room and board. During this Saskatchewan teaching tenure, he played semi‑pro baseball. In 1953, Norm began his 32- year teaching career in Wetaskiwin. Norm had never played football but in 1954 he became coach of the Sabres. In six years , the Sabres posted 46 wins, 0 losses, 3 ties, and five consecutive league championships - stats that for a number of years, was a North American football record. Norm was dedicated to serving his community and received many awards for his professional, service‑club, or community services.
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Clayton's participation in Falun sports started in 1938. This outstanding pitcher coached ladies softball from 1942-49. Then an idea he had on a school field full of dandelions grew from one team to over ten, to a recruitment of volunteers and coaching clinics to one of the best fastball programs in Alberta. Fundraising and determination turned the "field of dandelions" into a Fastball Facility with well‑groomed diamonds, player benches, back‑stops, fencing, and bleachers. Clayton Monaghan was the driving force behind a program that inspired over 200 athletes to produce thirty-nine Provincial Championship teams in a twenty year period and to Fastball Alberta, the underpopulated community of Falun was the “Fastball Capital of Alberta”.
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Know someone worthy of induction to the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall' of Fame. Complete a nomination form and submit it by October 30. Selection Committee will review all nominations and select inductees based on the criteria and merit. New nominations are received to supplement the pre-existing nominations on file.
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