Wetaskiwin & County Sports Hall of Fame

2009 Inductees

INDUCTEES 2009

This following highlights the 2009 Inductees to the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame, officially welcomed as members on March 28, 2009.

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2009 Inductees

For biographical information and details on the sporting achievements of the inductees please click a pictures below or the link to the "Full Story".

ATHLETE

Brenda Vergette - Wrist Wrestling/Arm Wrestling

During her thirteen year career, Brenda won eight World Championships, eleven Provincial titles, six Western Canadian titles, twenty Canadian National titles, five Canadian Open Championships, one Can-Am title and one Golden Bear Invitational Championship in Moscow, and was runner-Up thirteen times - in 182 weight classes 120 first place finishes; 40 seconds; 10 thirds and 6 fourths for a total of 176 times in the top four.

Full Story

ATHLETE - BUILDERS

Jerry Greene

Jerry was a dominant force on the Colonels Hockey team - named League All-Star Defenseman five consecutive times, voted the League’s Most Valuable player, and a team leader serving as captain for eleven years. Described as the “Home Town Hero” who embodies the true essence of sport in Wetaskiwin, Jerry played or coached eighteen championship teams in hockey and fastball and was also a driving force in the administration and organization of those same sports - president, manager, fundraiser to name a few.

Full Story

Ron Emmerling

As an athlete Ron Emmerling was an avid golfer, curler, downhill skier, bowler and badminton player. He focused on hockey and ball, even catching a game for the “legend”, Satchel Paige. Behind the bench his coaching skills helped win several championships. Beyond the bench he contributed immensely to sports in Wetaskiwin as an organizer and instructor of hockey schools that benefitted many players and coaches, many from other communities. He worked behind the scenes on various committees that influenced sport both in the community and in Alberta.

Full Story

BUILDER

Len Roberts

Wetaskiwin's first swimming pool, a new arena, the formation of the North Central Alberta Intermediate Hockey Leage 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.

Full Story

SPECIAL AWARD

Evva MacKay

Evva is recognized for her unselfish commitment to Minor Hockey and Minor Fastball. It started shortly after she moved to Wetaskiwin and Minor Hockey needed someone to serve as secretary. Ev agreed. Shortly after she was approached with another request - a secretary-treasurer was required for a new Midget Hockey League - and again, Ev agreed. The role expanded very quickly and then she added Minor Fastball to the mix, as well as tournaments and well, the story is that she was one busy, but very unselfish lady.

Full Story

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Ed Zaharichuk

Within eight months of undergoing a heart transplant operation Ed put on roller blades for a 305 kilometer excursion from Edmonton to Calgary to draw attention to the critical shortage of organs and to raise funds for HOPE Transplant Services. In the years that followed he broadened the scope of his crusade. Among several other beneficial activities for Hope he helped organize the Hope Hockey Challenge. His example of selfless giving illustrates how sport can help effect change for the betterment of the people in the global community.

Full Story

TEAM AWARD

Wetaskiwin High School 1956 Sabres Football Team

League champions - for five years the Sabres teams were undefeated in league, play-off and exhibition games and amassed a record of 46 wins, 3 ties and 0 losses - the 1956 team was so dominant that they scored a total of 404 points and had 34 points scored against them. Supportive fans formed a cavalcade of cars to follow the team to games outside of Wetaskiwin.

Full Story

If you were searching for a particular person or team whose achievements should be recognized please consider nominating them to the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame. Read about criteria and the nomination process or get the nomination form by following this link.