Message from WMAA President

By Patricia Kitchen

This summer I was competing in a triathlon in Grimsby, Ontario. I was walking in the transition zone before the race started and a fellow competitor asked if I was Pat Kitchen. It turns out that she swam with me at Western - more than 40 years ago! Her name is Denise Pittuck and how she noticed me out of more than 300 competitors, I will never know! We chatted and recalled memories from our time at university. After the race, I was on the podium with Denise and another Western athletic alumni, Janet Thompson - a nostalgic moment for all of us. You never know when your connection to Western will bring such joy and provide a touchstone to your past. I encourage you to share a story; perhaps a memory from your days at Western or a more recent time when you have crossed paths with a former teammate. Send your stories to wmaa@uwo.ca and we will share them in an upcoming edition of the Scoop.

In this edition of the Scoop, we highlight outstanding athletic alumni who are being recognized locally and globally. Honourees include:

·      Stacey Allaster, varsity tennis alumna who won the Billie Jean King Leadership Award at the Women’s Sport Foundation’s Annual Salute to Women in Sport.

·      Heather Cartwright, rowing alumna and recipient of the 2023 Mitchell Family Alumni of the Year Award.

·      Greg Dick, football alumnus who was recognized with the 2023 Dr. Ivan Smith Award, Western Alumni’s highest honor, at Homecoming 2023.

·      Alex Kopacz, track and field alumnus who was inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame.

We were also fortunate to celebrate 2023 inductees to the Western Mustangs Athletics Association’s Hall of Fame during Homecoming weekend.

 

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

·      Dr. Karen Danylchuk, MA'81 - Builder, Coach

·      Dr. Robert Barney, LLD'14 - Builder

Individual inductees:

·      Connie Beukeboom, BSc'91 - Track & Field and Cross Country

·      Leah Boody (Bishop), BACS'02 - Squash     

·      Jamie Crombie, BA'89 (Huron) - Squash         

·      Kristina Dorfman (Farr), HBA'99 - Track & Field and Cross Country

·      Chris Marcus, HBA'81, BEd'86 - Builder/Athlete – Football

·      Ryan McKie, BA'03 (King's) – Hockey

·      David Ploughman, BA'83 - Football, Track & Field   

·      Andrea Wagner (Ruste), BMOS'09 - Volleyball  

Team inductees:

·      Women’s Track & Field 2001 – 2002 CIS Champions

·      Glynn Leyshon Era of Wrestling 1972-73, 1974-75, 1977-78 and 1978-79, OUAA and CIAU Champions

·      Men’s Rowing 1979 Varsity Lightweight 8+, OUA Champions, Canadian Team Trial Champions, Dad Vail Regatta Champions and represented Canada at the 1979 World Championships

 

A sincere thank-you to our sponsors of the 2023 Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame event: Western Alumni Association, Goodlife Fitness, RE/MAX and Bain Wealth Group & Kelly/Gorham Wealth Management, both of RBC Dominion Securities, London Property Corp., and Nothers The Award Store. This incredible event could not happen without the assistance of our sponsors, and we truly appreciate your support!

 

Read Jason Winders’ reflections on the evening and being on campus for Homecoming festivities. Western fencing is celebrating 90 years of excellence in sport. Enjoy a story by Carol Christie, Western fencing coach.

As I write this, many of the Western fall athletic teams are heading to OUA and USport championships, while full-year sports are kicking off their seasons. Christine Stapleton's report will provide updates on a successful fall season. 

I wish you a healthy and happy holiday season and eagerly look ahead to 2024.

Patricia Kitchen