Four locals will be permanently honoured for their impact in the world of sport at the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame Banquet next month.
This year’s Hall of Fame inductees include Kamloops Special Olympics founder Marilyn McLean, well-known trainer and equipment manager Gregory “Spike” Wallace, Olympic shot putter Dylan Armstrong and the late George Farquharson, the father of F-Class target shooting.
These four join 105 individuals who have been inducted to the Kamloops Hall of Fame in the last 28 years. The team being inducted to the hall this year will be announced next week.
Here’s what the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame selection committee had to say about this year’s individual inductees:
“Armstrong’s distinction was winning the shot put bronze in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and later placing fifth in London in 2012. Some of his greatest triumphs included golden record-setting performances in the 2007 and 2011 Pan Am Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He won silver and bronze medals in world championships in becoming the first Canadian thrower to reach the podium in major competitions.
“He also won a coveted Diamond League season title and set several Canadian standards. Before rising to prominence in the shot put he won gold in the hammer throw in the 1999 Pan Am Junior championship and silver in the 2000 World Junior Championship. Armstrong also excelled in his teenage years establishing North American records in both high school and, junior hammer throw events. He is currently coaching with the Kamloops Track and Field Club."
“Farquharson or Farky, which he was affectionately nicknamed, left a tremendous thumbprint in the sport of target shooting before he passed away at the age of 80 in 1995. He created F-Class, a category of competition, named in his honor. The first competition in 1989 was held in Victoria and, the latest quadrennial event in Ottawa last summer had Farquharson being recognized with induction into the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association Hall of Fame.
“F-Class has enabled older shooters and those with physical handicaps to continue to compete, and its events make it the fastest growing long-range shooting sport in the world. Its popularity extends to the British Commonwealth, the U.S., Germany, France, the Netherlands and many other countries around the world after getting its start in B.C. and, Canada.”
“Marilyn McLean’s passion for Special Olympics began in Washington State before getting married and moving to Kamloops in 1978. She became a driving force behind the movement, wearing many hats at various levels of the program, from coaching to administration.
“McLean’s leadership role in the founding group of SOBC led to incorporation of the organization in addition to overseeing the Kamloops chapter. Through her tireless efforts Special Olympic athletes have the opportunity to participate and compete. They experience achievement, empowerment, friendship, joy and ultimately pride. The KSHF is proud to welcome a woman who is very special in her own way, Marilyn McLean who has also been inducted in the SOBC Hall of Fame.”
“Spike Wallace joins the KSHF after celebrating his 60th birthday this past January. He is best known for his 28 years of service with the Kamloops Blazers (1984-2012) but it really began on the football fields of Valleyview Jr. Secondary and Kam High working with previously elected hall of famers, Jack Buckham, Rick Nykorak and Brian Olthuis.
“He went on one season at Snow College in Utah before getting his athletic therapy degree at Sheridan College in Oakville and, landing his first job with the Victoria Cougars WHL team.
“He readily admits he had the benefit of working with some terrific hockey mentors along the way, citing the likes of Ken Hitchcock, Don Hay, Tom Renney, Bob Brown and, current AHL commissioner, Dave Andrews, to name a few. A 2012 recipient of the WHL Distinguished Service award in 2012, Spike also had the pleasure of working with team Canada entries in Under 18 hockey, and, the Spengler Cup.”
The Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame is located in the Tournament Capital Centre. This year's banquet, in conjunction with the Kamloops Sports Council Awards, is Saturday, April 28 at the Coast Canadian Conference Centre. Canadian paralympian, Emily Young will be the guest speaker. Tickets are available at the Sandman Centre box office.
