Recap of the 2024 Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame Awards Banquet by Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Angela Schneider

By Angela Schneider, BA’82, MA’85, MA’87, PhD’93

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Angela Schneider; the Women’s 1980 Heavy Eight Rowing with coach Jerry Patchell and Marnie McBean

The first Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place at Western in 1978, over forty-six years ago. The first woman (Pat Laing, women’s basketball) was inducted in 1989 and it was 2004 before four women would be inducted at the same time. We have come a long way baby, as we now have very strong gender balance in the awards ceremonies!

A good portion of this year’s success can be attributed Senator Marnie McBean, an outstanding Olympian and former Western rower, as our ceremony leader. Marnie was outstanding.  She was professional and had a great sense of humor.  

Another reason this ceremony was so successful was thanks to the hard work of WMAA volunteers and the Alumni Relations team. Their work is so much appreciated. Last, but certainly not least, the fundamental reason the event was so successful is due to the sponsors of this event who make it all possible.

One of the resounding messages we heard at this event was the experience of being an athlete at Western, and how that changed many lives. These stories are such an important part of the legacy of Mustang athletics and represents the impact of sport. It is a legacy made by role models, mentors, leaders, coaches, and the social impact felt at the university level, and also nationally and internationally. 

We look forward to continuing our steadfast tradition next year.