2022 Sports Hall of Fame
An Evening to Remember!
By Sherri Castrilli
Life is full of events – many that we’ll forget, and some that will stick with us. The 2022 Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame Dinner will surely be a night to remember for years to come.
Held on Homecoming Friday, the evening honoured extraordinary Western Mustangs athletic alumni. Among those recognized were two lifetime achievement awards, eight individual awards and two team inductees.
Guests were excited and erupted in applause when the procession of inductees was led in by the Mustangs Marching Band – almost 50 members strong, harmonious, rhythmical, and in-sync. What an amazing start to the evening!
The evening celebrated inductees in multiple sports with outstanding accomplishments. This took many of us back down memory lane to our university days.
Memorable highlights include:
- The 1997 men’s rugby team making a statement, wearing custom Western purple blazers lined with news articles highlighting their OUA and Turner Cup championships.
- The Mustangs women’s basketball teams from the Doug Hayes era (1971-1974), who won three consecutive Ontario Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Association championships, were recognized along with another rugby team from 1966 who also won the Turner Cup and the Ontario Quebec Athletic Association Championship.
- Cross country and track and field inductee, Paula Schwan, quoted the song lyrics of Ed Sheeran: we spend our lives living in fast forward, but not tonight. This highlighted that we wanted to ‘press rewind’ as we reflected on many memorable years. She referenced the importance of Western University moments.
- The other cross country and track inductee, Adrian Jordan, had his whole family join him on the stage – sharing and cherishing this moment in time together.
- Duane Forde, the "Ironman" football inductee spoke of sharing this moment with his family, coaches, role models, and teammates saying, “one individual recognition means absolutely nothing without team success.”
- Wendy Wiebe, a three-time world champion and Mustangs rowe reminisced about the Western and London communities that supported and helped her along the way.
Many inductees mentioned family and coaches and how their unwavering support has helped them become the people they are today.
[CD4] Lifetime Achievement award winner, Darwin Semotiuk, former Athletic Director and football coach was inducted posthumously. He was warmly remembered by many in the audience.
Darwin’s wife Mary Semotiuk reflected, “Darwin was a champion for student-athletes and university sport. He considered it a privilege and honour to lead the Mustang program for so many years. He loved his career and the chance to work with so many talented student-athletes, program leaders, coaches, and staff members. He would have been deeply touched to know that Western has recognized him with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Having coached basketball and soccer, Lifetime Achievement winner Mary Riezebos, had a sing-along cheer in her name from her past players in the audience. Mary, a pioneer with a vision, thanked those who influenced and believed in her over the years. Her behind-the-scenes work with current and past athletes and the WMAA has been heartfelt and passionate, with a knack for connecting and engaging people.
Inductees in this year’s class represented a variety of sports including volleyball and field hockey. In the Builder/Athlete award category, sports represented were wrestling, diving, and gymnastics. Many of these inductees are trailblazers in their sports, and have had positive influence at the local, provincial and national levels. They will forever be purple and proud!
An important note and a sincere thank-you to our sponsors of the 2022 event: Western Alumni Association, Goodlife Fitness, and Bain Wealth Group and Kelly/Gorham Wealth Management, both of RBC Dominion Securities. This incredible event could not happen without the assistance of our sponsors, and we truly appreciate your support!
