Category: 2010 Inductees

The 2010 inductees to the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame

  • Gary Brandon – Athlete

    Gary Brandon – Athlete

    Although many athletes play multiple sports, it is rare for an athlete to excel in more than one sport, however Gary Brandon was an exception. Gary excelled in three sports – baseball, curling and golf.

    Gary developed his skills in youth baseball in Prince Albert primarily as a pitcher and first baseman. Gary played for the Prince Albert Bohemians in the Saskatchewan Senior Baseball League in 1968 and 1969 winning provincial titles both seasons as well as the Western Canadian Crown in 1968.

    After the Prince Albert Bohemian’s folded, Gary went on to play for the Saskatoon Commodores from 1970-1975 and again in 1979 winning 4 provincial titles. In 1972 Gary was recruited by the Unity Cardinals, a provincial all-star team, to compete at the Canadian Senior Championship in Camrose, Albert. Gary pitched in two of the victories helping the Cardinals to win the Canadian title. The Unity Cardinals, including Gary Brandon, were inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

    Gary had success on the curling ice defeating the likes of Rick Folk, Ed Lukowich, Barry Fry, Paul Savage and others. Gary teamed with his mentor and sidekick Dennis Cochrane in men’s and cash spiels and his wife Bonnie in mixed competitions. While in Prince Albert Gary made it to Provincials final in both men’s and mixed however came up short, finishing as high as third in both. While living in Melfort Gary played 3rd on the Bob Olsen Rink which was a runner-up to Brad Heidt for the Men’s Provincial Championship and a chance to represent Saskatchewan at the 1995 Brier. Gary and Bonnie won 2 Mixed provincial titles while living in Melfort, and represented Saskatchewan at Nationals; Gary also was a member of Ray Field’s Saskatchewan championship team which competed at the 1999 Canadian Senior Men’s Championship.

    Gary was a very capable golfer and golf proved to be the sport that he could make a comfortable living from. After moving to Melfort Gary was hired as the Director of Golf at the Melfort Golf and Country Club. He also designed the Mark’s Nine Golf Course just north of Prince Albert.

    Gary Brandon – Athlete
  • Ellen (Wilkins) Grewcock – Athlete/Builder

    Ellen (Wilkins) Grewcock – Athlete/Builder

    Sports is life for Ellen (Wilkins) Grewcock. She was a strong athlete in the sports of fastball, curling, basketball, tennis and badminton and has become a civic force and mentor in organizing, officiating and administering sports of all types.

    As an athlete Ellen played fastball in Prince Albert from 1966-74 winning 3 gold and 3 silver provincial medals with the Key Realettes and Browne Motor Dusters. She returned to fastball to play from 1985-98 winning numerous city titles, and provincial and Western Canadian medals with the Kalinowski Clippers, Shooters, Gateway Mall and a number of teams out of Saskatoon. Ellen won the Provincial Batting Championship while a member of the Dusters in 1973. She also played Huskie Basketball at the University of Saskatchewan.

    Ellen’s enthusiasm and passion for the sport led her to become one of the most active and well respected sports people of her, or any day. An abbreviated list of organizations Ellen has been involved with include: Buckeye’s Senior Hockey (Manager), National Vet Cycling Championships (Chair), Nancy Greene Ski League (Director), 1992 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Friends of Track & Field raising over $200,000 to install the Harry Jerome all-weather track), 1997 Provincial Track & Field Championships (Commissioner), 2001 Small Cities Basketball Championship (Commissioner), 1999 Western Canada Games (Results Chair), 2002 Canadian Sports Olympics (Track Results Chair), Sports Council (Director), 2000 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Track Coach), Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame (Vice-Chair, Chair), Saskatchewan Officials Committee, 2003 Canadian Junior Track & Field Championships, 2004 K of C International Track (Results), 2004-09 Saskatchewan Games Council (Director), 2005 Sled Dog Indoor Track Meet (Official), 2005 District Provincial Track Championships (Official), Hershey Meet, 2006 Regional High School Basketball Playoffs (Commissioner), 2006-09 Saskatchewan Games Council (Member at large), 2003 become a registered official with Saskatchewan Amateur Basketball Organization, 2008 Canada Summer Games (Mission Staff for Team Saskatchewan), 2008 Saskatchewan Athletics (Director), 2009 Provincial High School Track Championships (Commissioner) and 2009 Sask Sport (elected to Board and chair of Sport Funding Committee).

    Ellen also has been recognized with the 1999 University Women’s Club Scholarship, 2002 Bob Adams Foundation Service Award, 2003 Woman of Distinction Award for Sports, Health and Fitness and the 2007 Official of the Year sponsored by Sask Athletics.

    Athletes and Athletics at Carlton Comprehensive High School have excelled with Grewcock’s organization and support. She attends every sport event she can and follows her student-athletes intently.

    Ellen (Wilkins) Grewcock – Athlete/Builder
  • Darlene Selander – Athlete

    Darlene Selander – Athlete

    When an athlete is able to turn the sport they love into a professional career as a teacher of that sport, you know they are successful. Prince Albert’s Darlene Selander parlayed her passion for golf into her full time occupation.

    As early as 1982 Selander was identified on the Provincial scene as an alternate for the Saskatchewan Junior team. She was a member of that team in ’84, ’85 and ’86 winning a spot on the Saskatchewan Ladies Amateur team in 1987. Overall she compete at 6 National Championships and was ranked #7 in Canada in Junior Women’s gold in 1986. Locally she won the Ladies Lobstick and Swift Current Ladies Open in 1987.

    She also competed internationally advancing to the Optimist Wold Championship in San Diego, California in 1985 before attending the University of Hawaii on a golf scholarship for two years.

    After her rewarding amateur career, Darlene returned to Canada to become the first Women’s Professional golfer in Saskatchewan through her work at the Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon. Through the SLGA she developed and implemented a Learn to Golf program to promote golf to young girls in the province.

    Darlene, who married Ken Thomas, has embarked on a career as a golf professional that has taken her from Vancouver to Newfoundland.

    Darlene Selander – Athlete
  • Dale Regel – Builder

    Dale Regel – Builder

    Dale Regel has has a profound effect on the development of high school sports in Prince Albert, primarily at St. Mary High School. After growing up in the Fort Qu’ Appelle. Lipton area of the province, Regel achieved his teaching degree at the University of Regina, while helping start the men’s hockey program there.

    He was hired by the Prince Albert Roman Catholic School Division in 1978 and has been a role model and mentor coach ever since. In 1985 he was transferred to St. Mary High School and had a profound influence on the introductions and development of sport there. He began a boy’s vollyball program in 1985, with the team achieving provincial Bronze in their second year and Silver in their third. Regel transformed St. Mary into a provincially renowned boys volleyball dynasty. in a 24 year span from 1985 to 2009 St. Mary Marauder boys volleyball teams won 7 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze medals at provincials.

    Regel also has coached the St. Mary boys basketball team to provincial notoriety with numerous silver and bronze medals.

    Off the count Regel’s contribution to sport is also immerse. One legacy is the summer sports camp program set up by the Regel at St. Mary. He has been active and influential in the North Central District assisting in organizing Provincial AGM’s as well as acting as commissioner for a number of leagues and events.

    He also coached within the community achieving added success at the provincial level in volleyball and soccer.

    In June, 2009 Dale Regel was recognized with the most prestigious award given by the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association, the SHSAA Merit Award.

    Dale Regel – Builder
  • Bob Smisko – Meritorious Service

    Bob Smisko – Meritorious Service

    A lifelong resident of Prince Albert, Bob Smisko has been a strong contributor to many sporting activities in the City, starting with his playing days in the 1960’s through his organizational skills for many outstanding sports organizations and events.

    Bob was an avid athlete developing a keen interest in all sports. In high school he quarterbacked the Riverside Rams to the City Championship and Northern finals. After graduation he became a football coach for 15 seasons.

    After retiring from coaching Smisko continued to be very active volunteering on the board of directors for the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club (1993-97), Prince Albert Raiders Hockey Club (2001-02) and the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame (Chairman 2002-05).

    On September 29, 2005 he received the Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan for his contributions to Sport and Community Involvement.

    He has been involved in a number of National curling and golf events in Prince Albert, assisting with the Elks Corby Nationals, 2004 National Curling Grand Slam, 2004 Canadian Ladies Amateur golf championship and 2008 Canadian Senior Men’s and Ladies Curling Championships.

    In 2009 Smisko was the Chairman for the RCGA Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Golf Championship and an executive member for the 100th Anniversary Committee of the Cooke Municipal Golf Course. The Mid-Amateur tournament received rave reviews from the RCGA as one of the best ever held.

    Bob Smisko – Meritorious Service
  • 1950 Prince Albert Blue Jays Softball – Team

    1950 Prince Albert Blue Jays Softball – Team

    They were only together one season, but it was a season to remember as the Prince Albert Blue Jays Ladies Softball team made history in 1950. They become the first Prince Albert team to bring home the Ladies Senior B Provincial title.

    Lead by their manager/ coach Arnold Barsky and coach Sam Tadman, the Blue Jays took their step to provincials by winning the city championship.

    Then it was on to the Northern Saskatchewan play downs and a best of five series with Borderick. Broderick started off strong winning the first game against the host P.A. side. The Blue Jays battled back, taking the next three games including two straight in Boderick.

    They then moved on to the Northern Saskatchewan finals easily defeating the Meadow Lake Stampeders in a best of three series outscoring their opponents 31-9 total in two games.

    That set up a showdown with the Estevan Imps in a best of five series for Provincial honours. After a slow start in the first game, the Blue Jays lost 8-1. They turned it around in the second game with a 18 inning thriller, coming out on top 3-2. Terry Bremner was the pitcher of record in the first two games for the Jays.

    After the marathon Game 2, the Blue Jays never looked back taking the next two games against Estevan by scores of 3-1 and 501 led by the pitching of Lou Logan in both becoming the first team from Prince Albert to win a Saskatchewan Ladies Senior B Softball title.

    1950 Prince Albert Blue Jays Softball – Team
  • 1985 & 1986 Prince Albert Junior B North Stars – Team

    1985 & 1986 Prince Albert Junior B North Stars – Team

    1985 & 1986 Prince Albert Junior B North Stars – Team