Prince Albert, Saskatchewan – There will be nine new inductions into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame at the 30th banquet for the Hall on Saturday, May 2nd.
The 2020 Induction Class includes three athletes: Dalyce Emmerson, Dwayne Gareau and Scott Byrne. Martin Ring will be inducted in both the athlete and builder categories. Brothers Andy and Merle Kozun and Barry Schrader will be inducted for Meritorious Service. Wendell Whitter and Bill Watson, who have both passed, will be inducted in the Builder Category. The 1973 East End and 1975 Old Dutch Twins will be inducted in the Team Category. The Sports Organization of the Year is the Prince Albert Lacrosse Association.
The banquet will be held in the Ches Leach Lounge, adjacent to the PA Sports Hall of Fame on May 2nd beginning at 6:00 PM.
This event is possible with the support of Crown Vacuum, Prince Albert Photocopier, and Prince Albert Northern Bus Lines.
2020 Inductees
Dalyce Emmerson – Athlete
Dalyce Emmerson is one of the most prolific basketball players Prince Albert has produced. She was a multi-sport athlete who excelled in soccer, volleyball and basketball.
She was a member of the Prince Albert Celtic Provincial Champion teams in 2005 and 2006 and competed at soccer club nationals both years. Emmerson also represented Saskatchewan as a member of provincial volleyball teams from 2007 until 2010 and competed at national and international competitions each of those years. This versatile athlete was recruited for volleyball by multiple Canadian and American universities, but ultimately chose to play basketball at the University of Saskatchewan.
After competing for Prince Albert Collegiate when she was in grade 9, Emmerson moved to Carlton and played on the Senior Girls’ Basketball and Volleyball teams from 2008-11. Each year the Crusaders competed at SHSAA provincials in volleyball, winning silver in 2010. The Crusader basketball team also attended Hoopla in each of her years winning bronze in 2009 and gold in 2010. She was the Carlton Junior Athlete of the Year in 2009, a co-winner of the Senior Athlete of the Year in 2010 and the Senior Athlete of the Year in 2011.
Under the coaching of Lisa Thomadis at the University of Saskatchewan, Emmerson would become one of the most dominant players in Huskies history. She would end her career in the top ten all-time in the Canada West Basketball conference in points scored, rebounds, rebounds per game, blocked shots and blocked shots per game. She set the Canada West record for most blocked shots per game in a season in 2013-14 and holds the conference single game record for most blocked shots in a game.
Emmerson was recognized throughout her career with several Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), Canada West and University of Saskatchewan awards. She was a Rookie All-Canadian, the Canada West Rookie of the Year and the U of S Rookie of the Year (for all sports) in 2011-12. She earned the Defensive and Most Outstanding Player Award for Canada West and was a CIS All-Canadian and Defensive All-Canadian in 2013-14. In 2013-14 she was also recognized as the University of Saskatchewan Female Athlete of the Year. She was a First or Second Team Canada West All-Star in each of her five years. During her career she had 43 games scoring double digit points and double digit rebounds, 3rd all-time in Canada West history.
The final year of Dalyce Emmerson’s career, 2015-16, ended with the Huskies winning the elusive Bronze Baby trophy as National Champions. At the Nationals in Fredericton, Emmerson was named a tournament All-Star and the Most Valuable Player. She finished her distinguished career named as the University of Saskatchewan’s All-Around Female Athlete of the Year in 2015-16.
In 2013 Emmerson wore the Red and White of Team Canada as a member of the National Developmental Team at the Universiade Games in Kazan, Russia.
After graduating from the U of S with her Kinesiology degree and from Saskatchewan Polytechnic as a dental hygienist, Emmerson returned to Prince Albert. She immediately started giving back as an assistant coach with the Carlton basketball team and with the Prince Albert Optimist Toppers Volleyball Club.
Dwayne Gareau – Athlete
A talented athlete in a variety of sports, Dwayne Gareau focused on soccer through University and eventually played professional soccer. However, Gareau was known for his prowess on more than just the soccer pitch in Prince Albert.
As a youngster growing up in PA, Gareau played both hockey and soccer. On the ice, he led the Zone 3 Blackhawks to the 1992-93 Pee Wee Tier B Provincial Championship. He also played developmental hockey with the Bantam AA Venice House Pirates.
Gareau started with the Prince Albert Youth Soccer Association at age six. At the age of 12, he started his career with the Celtic developmental program and played on the 1992 Zone 8 Summer Games gold medal team. He played on the provincial team from 1994-98 including the 1997 Canada Summer Games team in Brandon. In 1998, Gareau took part in the Western Elite All Star team program.
His high school days at St. Mary were tremendously busy, Gareau would participate in soccer, volleyball, basketball and track & field. In 1997 he was named the MVP of the Marauder volleyball team that won the SHSAA championship. In basketball, he was the captain of the semi-finalist St. Mary team at 5A provincials and was the MVP on that squad. He also won bronze in the long jump at track and field provincials and was an obvious choice for the St. Mary male athlete of the year in 1997.
Soccer would be the sport Gareau pursued at the post-secondary level, playing for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. He was team captain and Canada west all-star in his last two years at the U of S. From there he went on to play with the Calgary Storm of the USLA League in 2003. He also was a member of the HUSA Soccer team that dominated Saskatchewan men’s play winning provincial titles from 2004-2018. In 2011, the HUSA team became the first Saskatchewan senior men’s team to win a Canadian title.
Dwayne Gareau now gives back to the sports and high school where it all began as he has taught at St. Mary since 2004. He has coached senior boys soccer and senior girls basketball since 2006.
Scott Byrne – Athlete
Prince Albert raised Scott Byrne is one of the best bullfighters in the history of the sport of rodeo. A key part of bull riding is the bull fighter who assists the bull riders in their dismounts after an 8 second ride or more importantly is there if they get in trouble trying to ride a 1,500 pound bull. Scott Byrne saved many cowboys with his skill, athletic ability and knowledge of the animal involved.
Scott’s family moved to Prince Albert when he was two. He did all his schooling in the city, graduating from Carlton Comprehensive High School. He started riding bulls in High School Rodeos and won the Spiritwood Silver buckle in 1989. In 1995 Scott changed his focus following his uncle, Ryan Byrne, to become a bullfighter. He would go on to fight bulls across Western Canada until his retirement from the sport in 2016.
Working rodeos as a bullfighter throughout the spring and summer for many years, bull riders would select who they wanted protecting them at Championship events-the most important of their season. Scott Byrne was selected many times to be the bullfighter at championships including the Calgary Stampede 16 years in a row, Professional Bull Riders (PBR) 10 years in a row, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) 14 years in a row, the Canadian Cowboys Association for 8 years in a row and the Manitoba Cowboys Association 3 years in a row. He received the Glen Keely Memorial Award in 2015 and was chosen Canadian Cowboy of the Year in 2016. One highlight of his career when he was asked, along with sons Brayden and Dylan, to give a private showing of Bull and Sheep fighting to Prince William and Princess Kate at the Calgary Stampede.
After retirement Byrne continued to work in the sport of rodeo, hosting bullfighting schools in the West, helping in a program to set up protocols for Concussion and Mental Health Awareness as a result of head injuries in rodeo, and working as a colour commentator for TSN covering the PBR Canada tour.
Martin Ring – Athlete & Builder
Cooke Municipal Golf Course has been Martin Ring’s second home for decades. A scratch handicap golfer, Ring spends many days on the course, which is reflected by his 0-handicap, but he also devotes many additional hours volunteering to administer events and programs at the course.
Ring has a vast trophy case of golf tournament titles to his credit. He has won the Cooke Municipal Golf Course Men’s Championship eight times (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2018), as well as the Waskesiu Lobstick Title on four occasions (1994, 2001, 2007 and 2010). Ring has also captured significant other events at Cooke including the May Day Masters in 1998, P.A. Northern Men’s title in 2000, City Open in 2013 and the Northern Senior Championship in 2018.
Eight times Martin Ring played in the Canadian Men’s Amateur & Mid Amateur Championship as well as participating in one Sask Open Canadian Tour event. Ring has won a Provincial Amateur title and was on three Provincial Men’s Amateur Teams (1995, 1997 and 2014). Twice he was on the Provincial Mid-amateur team (2004, 2008).
As successful as Ring has been on the course, his involvement to grow the sport of golf may be more significant. Each of the major events hosted at Cooke recently have included Martin Ring in a significant role. He was the Chairperson of the 1999 Canadian Club Champions’ Championship. When the Canadian Ladies Amateur Championship was in P.A. in 2004, Ring was the Tournament Advisor and Finance Chair. He was the Host Chair of the 2017 Provincial Mixed Championships and the co-chair of the 2020 Provincial Senior Golf Championships.
Martin Ring has always helped out at the Prince Albert Golf & Curling Centre; from being the Junior Golf Coordinator from 2004-2007 to being President of the Men’s Golf Club, Chair of the Club Championship and serving on the Men’s PA Golf and Curling Club Executive.
Ring has also had a strong presence in hockey in the city, coaching minor hockey from 1994-2004 and serving as colour commentator on Prince Albert Raiders radio broadcasts for the past fifteen years.
Andy & Merle Kozun – Meritorious Service
The Kozun brothers: Andy & Merle have been key behind-the-scenes contributors to many sports and events in Prince Albert for decades and are very deserving to be inducted for Meritorious Service. The Kozun boys grew up on the family farm near Nipawin where hard work and dedication was instilled in both at a young age.
Both boys attended elementary school in Aylsham before going to Nipawin for junior and senior high school. Both learned trades in the automotive industry and eventually would move to Prince Albert to pursue their careers and start their families.
Andy and Merle’s daughters both played ringette and both dad’s were highly involved, a trend that would continue over the years. Andy coached the Carton Park Bunnies ringette team from 1995-2000 while Merle coached and managed the East End Ringette and North East Mighty Ducks ringette teams through the late 1990’s to 2006, highlighted by the Mighty Ducks winning gold at Provincial B Belle championships in 2004 and silver in 2006.
Andy also became very involved with his children in softball, soccer and skiing. He coached a mite girls’ team to the city finals in 2000. In soccer he coached both indoor and outdoor teams for Crescent Acres from 2000-2003, including going to the finals in 2002 and winning the city championship in 2003. In downhill skiing, Andy assisted coaching which involved organizing equipment and arranging bus trips to Wapiti with the Nancy Greene ski team.
Merle became very involved with the East End curling rink and was part of the committee that worked to install artificial ice in the facility.
As a tandem, the Kozun brothers are well known around the city for their volunteer and fund raising abilities for many organizations. Both have been very involved in the volunteer driven Prince Albert Raiders organization, not only at games, but also fund raising for Bring Back the Magic. Both also were part of the volunteer grounds crew of the highly successful 2018 Junior Men’s World Softball Championship making sure PA’s facilities were world class throughout the event.
But aside from all this, both Kozun’s are best known for their involvement with the Prince Albert Mintos Midget AAA team. Both have been on the Board of Directors and helped establish the Mintos as one of the premier organizations in Canada. They were a big part of the first ever-Midget Outdoor game in 2013, the Western Regionals in 2014, building the Minto fitness centre in 2017 and their overall contribution to a successful organization. The Mintos have had success off the ice winning back to back nationals and provincial championships, and the Kozun boys were a key part of making sure everything off the ice was of a championship nature.
In all of the areas mentioned, the Kozun brothers were the first to step up and volunteer for anything and everything from selling tickets, raising funds, collecting garbage, going door-to-door raising funds and many other duties.
Barry Schrader – Meritorious Service
Officiating is a passion for Barry Schrader. An integral part of any sports competition and one that comes under scrutiny more often than not, Schrader enjoys being part of the game, treating people respectfully and doing it with a smile, most times.
A golfing accident when he was 12 cost Schrader the sight in his right eye, limiting advancement in officiating to a high level, so he has concentrated on the grassroots of developing minor officials in Prince Albert and area for the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA).
He started officiating hockey in 1970 at the age of 14 but soon quit due to the abuse of officials and swore at that time he would come back someday to help young officials. He returned to officiating in 1984 and through to 2020 worked approximately 3,500 games on the ice, while supervising a further 4,000.
In 2013, Schrader became the Female Development Coordinator for SHA making him responsible for the development and recruitment of female officials in Saskatchewan. He has helped in the development and mentoring of female officials and watched them obtain National, International and Pre-Olympic recognition. Schrader has also been instrumental in the selection of female officials for National ESSO Cups Championships, Sask Winter Games, Sask First Programs, and National Aboriginal Championships. In 2013 Schrader was named the Referee-In Chief for Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA League.
From 2011 to 2017 Schrader was assigned as Zone 8 Coordinator and responsible for the mentoring supervising & development of all male and female officials for Zone 8. He developed a strong system of supervisors throughout the zone to assist him in this process.
Barry Schrader has been the Referee In Chief for Prince Albert (Minor) Hockey for three terms: 1988 to 1995, 2000 to 2013 and again starting in 2019. He has officiated at all levels of the game from Minor Hockey to Midget AAA, Junior B and SJHL. He also has served as a Video Goal Judge for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League. In 2012 Schrader received the Most Deserving Officials award from the SHA.
In 2000 Schrader became an umpire for softball, baseball and slo-pitch in the city and has worked numerous provincial championships.
Wendell Whitter – Builder
Wendell Whitter was born and raised in Prince Albert and attended Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Riverside Collegiate and Carlton Comprehensive High School. While at Carlton, Wendell was an offensive lineman for the Crusaders football team, a sport that would become his life-long passion.
He would return to the sport in 2001 when his son Kristian began his football career as an offensive lineman at Carlton. Wendell started as a manager for the Junior Crusaders before catching the coaching bug. He would attend Football Saskatchewan coaching clinics and eventually complete his Football Canada Level 1 certification. He would be an assistant coach with the Junior Crusaders from 2002-2007.
In 2008, Whitter turned his attention to a community program associated with Prince Albert Minor Football and became the Head Coach of the newly formed River Riders peewee team for 10-12 year olds. They played in the Saskatoon Kinsmen Football League against Saskatoon teams that had players with 1 or 2 years more experience. Wendell and his staff were starting from scratch, teaching basic skills. The River Riders did not score a touchdown the entire season of that first year until their Bowl game when they did score a major. Spectators thought they had won the Grey Cup when the scored a major!
From 2008 to 2018 Whitter wore many hats for PAMFA. He was Vice President from 2014 to 2018 and Peewee River Rider head or assistant coach from 2008 to 2018. In 2009 he started an Indoor Flag Football League for 8, 9 and 10 year olds which was a great introduction to the sport. He also coached the Spring 6 Aside Peewee program. He also represented the PAMFA at Kinsmen Football League meetings.
Wendell Whitter’s fingerprints are all over the philosophies and beliefs of the PAMFA. He believed all kids should have access to the River Rider programs no matter what their family financial situation is; playing time occurs on a rotational basis; everyone plays; River Rider programs should offer co-ed activities with equal access for boys and girls; and, the goal for each player is to become the best they can be.
Whitter enjoyed meeting parents and family members of his players. He always reminded his players that they were there because of the support of their parents and families. He was a great believer in succession planning and was overjoyed when River Rider alumni would return to the program to become volunteer coaches. He took great pride in the accomplishments of the PAMFA alumni as they went on to play with high school teams, Canadian Junior League and USports teams. His greatest hope was that someday one of them would play in the CFL.
Wendell Whitter was a big part of the PAMF organization being named the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame Organization of the Year in April, 2018, only three months before his sudden passing. Wendell loved his family, his church, his community and his football.
Wendell Whitter passed away July 13, 2018.
Bill Watson – Builder
Bill Watson built a winning tradition in the sport of football in Prince Albert culminating with a strong Riverside Rams team that dominated the PA League.
Watson was born in Oxbow, Saskatchewan where he attended a one-room school from Grade 1 through 8, then moved to Luther College in Regina for his high school education. While at Luther, Watson competed in football, basketball, volleyball and track & field. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan and played both linebacker and offensive guard for the U of S Huskies.
His first teaching job would be at Riverside Collegiate in Prince Albert, starting a 22-year coaching career in high school sports (football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, wrestling and track & field). Football was the sport in which Watson would bring the most success to Riverside. From 1965 until 1975 (when it ceased to exist as a Division 4 school, Watson-coached Rams teams, winning the city championship 7 times from 1967-1973. The league consisted of PACI, St. Mary, PA Tech, PA Composite, North Battleford and Melfort. During those 7 years the Rams reached the northern Saskatchewan 3A finals every year except one.
The highlight was the 1970 Riverside Rams who won the provincial 3A title, Prince Albert’s first crown in 12-man football, resulting in that team being inducted into the PA Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, The Rams also reach the provincial 3A Finals in 1972 and 1973.
With the opening of Carlton Comprehensive High School, Watson was transferred there where he would lead the football teams to the provincial finals in 1980 and 1984. He retired from coaching in 1986 and was the recipient of the Prince Albert Sportsman of the Year in 1987.
However, it was not the success on the field that is the true measure of Bill Watson. It was his attitude as a person and the way he molded countless young men over the two decades which are a better representation as many players sustained personal relationships with Watson.
Bill Watson brought success to his football teams, school and community through hard work and dedication. He taught players to work hard through commitment, to be a good teammate, to be dedicated and to pursue personal excellence in both athletics and education.
Bill Watson passed away March 19, 2017.
East End (1973) & Old Dutch Twins (1975) – Team
A strong core of players who made up the East End Squirts in 1972 and 1973, and the Old Dutch Twins from 1974 to 1977, dominated Prince Albert Minor Softball. These teams won the City Championship all 6 of those years with the East End team winning the Provincial Squirt Championship in 1973 and the Old Dutch Twins winning the Provincial Pee Wee title in 1975. Tom Lavallee coached both Provincial championship teams with Joe Pete the Manager of the ‘73 team and Ian MacKay the manager of the ‘75 squad.
As a Squirt aged squad, the East End boys lost to Saskatoon Westgate in the 1972 final, but exacted revenge the following year taking the Saskatchewan title over the same Westgate team.
The Old Dutch Twins had success at the provincial level all four years of their existence. They lost in the 1974 final, but bounced back to win the 75 Saskatchewan crown. In 1976 they would lose in the semi-finals, and lost in the play downs in 1977.
Eleven players and coach Tom Lavallee were on both the 1973 East End and the 1975 Old Dutch Twins Provincial Champions: Mike Markewich, Craig Eldstrom, Kevin Lavallee, Greg Bantle, Bernie Kalika, Greg Smith, Scott Bruce, Marty Shaw, Darwin Stephens, and Robert Doucette.
The 1973 East End team also included Cameron Pete, Bob Tetarenko, Tim Best and Manager Joe Pete. Additional members of the 1975 Old Dutch Twins were Tim Gitzel, Mike Mallo, Kelly Anderson, Bob Lowes and Manager Ian Mackay.
As the team members grew into adulthood, the skills they learned such as loyalty, initiative, dedication, hard work and teamwork gave them the skills to succeed in life. Tim Gitzel went on to be the President of Cameco. Bob Lowes was a successful hockey coach and manager and went on to be the Head Scout of the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League. Robert Doucette was President of the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan for 9 years.
Prince Albert Lacrosse Association – Organization of the Year
What is now known as the Prince Albert Lacrosse Association was formed in 2001 as the Prince Albert Box Lacrosse Association. Box Lacrosse. They started in the Steuart Arena with approximately 40 athletes and a board lead by Shawn Williams who is now the president of Canadian Lacrosse Association. Other founding members were Kelly Pollock, Gail Halliday, Ken Hidlebaugh, and Betty & Joe Bexson.
The current president is long time player/coach from that first year, Javan Bexson, son of Joe and Betty who helped solidify the sport of lacrosse in Prince Albert. The association has grown tremendously over the last 19 years to the point where camps run year-round in the normal off-season.
Prince Albert Lacrosse has grown to include field lacrosse which is a version of lacrosse played outdoors on a football size field. From 44 athletes in inception, there are now over 400 athletes from four years of age to senior team players.
It took time to catch up with the rest of the province, however, Prince Albert Predators junior lacrosse team captured their first division two title in 2007. That team was lead by Cody Folstad, Javan Bexson, and Randy Kaponyas. In 2010 the Midget box lacrosse team won provincials. Some notable players on this team were: Sawyer Lange, Matt Anholt, and Brady Fetch.
Other minor teams to go on to win were the 2016 Pee wees, 2017 Bantams, 2019 Midgets. The 2017 win was special as Prince Albert hosted provincials and the team was able to pull off the win in the Kinsmen Arena. The Predators captured Junior Box Championship in 2018. Notable players on this team were: Tanner Vancoughnett, Ashton Hall, and Carson Remy.
One of Prince Albert’s most notable lacrosse players is Brendan Rooney who went on to play with Yale Bulldogs NCAA Division 1 and helped his team win the national championship in 2018.
The future is bright for PA Lacrosse as in 2020 they are hosting the Provincial Field Lacrosse Championship for 18U/15U/13U which will bring a lot of excitement to Prince Albert.
Opportunities for players is increasing and lacrosse will continue to grow with more exposure. You will see lacrosse in the Olympic games very soon. You can often find lacrosse trending as the, “sport of the future.”
PASHOF citations will be presented to inductees from 2008 to make room in the hall for this year’s slate. The 2008 inductees’ information is on the Halls website: www.pashof.ca.
2008 inductees were:
- Pat Bibby – Builder
- Felix Casavant – Athlete/Builder
- Richard “Chick” Balon – Athlete
- Curly Ray Fiddler – Athlete
- Darlene Chartrand, Ross McIntosh & Robert Pilon – Meritorious Service
- 1970 Riverside Rams Football Team
- 1971 St. Mary Marauders Football Team
Tickets for the 2020 Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame Banquet, May 2nd are $50 each and available at Community Services in City Hall. Corporate tables of 8 are $500 each which includes sponsorship of the event.
For More Information:
Ellen Grewcock, PASHOF President – 306-980-6242
Bruce Vance, PASHOF Vice President – 306-953-4828