Since 1981, the Okanagan Sun Football team has had a rich history of talented players and overall excellence within the Canadian Junior Football League.
To celebrate and recognize that excellence, the organization has created its own hall of fame with the first class set to be inducted later this month.
Inductees will include five incredible athletes from the organization's earlier years (1981 to 2003), including Greg Hewko and Jay Christensen, in addition to founding members Barry Urness and Bob Harrison.
However, the Sun knows it takes more than the founders and athletes to foster a successful team, which is why they will also honour lifetime volunteer and trainer Terry Britton.
“The Sun are an important part of the community, and we wanted to really recognize the people behind us because they have made the Sun organization what it is today and we want to show them some appreciation,” said Brett Kryskow, vice president of the Okanagan Sun.
A dinner to officially recognize and induct the Hall of Fames first official members will take place on Wednesday, June 26 at the Coast Capri Hotel — an event Kryskow hopes will return annually.
In addition to welcoming the 2019 hall of famers, attendees will have the incredible opportunity to hear from two of Canada’s most iconic men in football, Brian Towriss and Wally Buono.
“We wanted to make this an event not only for members of the organization but for sports fans in general,” said Kryskow.
For those who don’t know, Wally Buono spent 22 years coaching in the CFL and became the league's all-time winningest coach, getting him inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
Brian Towriss holds the record for Vanier Cup appearances and is the winningest head coach in U sports history. Towriss was also inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
The event is open to the public, with tickets available online now until the 21st for $85. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner and the program beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Sports fans, you won't want to miss out on this incredible opportunity to celebrate Kelowna's football history and those at the centre of it.
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