2025 Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame men’s individual inductees
Glen Belfry, BA'77, PhD’10 - Builder/Athlete – Swimming
Glen Belfry was an outstanding swim athlete and coach at Western.
Glen began his career at Western in 1973 as a Kinesiology student. He was named the varsity swimming team’s most valuable freshman (1974), team captain and Peter Fowler Trophy winner (MVP, 1977) and won CIAU gold (1976) and four CIAU bronze medals (1976, 1977(2), 1983). Moreover, Glen was the team record holder in the 50 m and 100 m freestyle for 11 years (1976–87). Belfry was also a finalist at the Canadian Open National Championships (1983). As a master’s athlete he broke world records (FINA) in 1987 and 2003.
After completing his undergraduate (Western) and teaching degrees (Queens), Belfry taught outdoor education in Alberta, then grade 8 science at Glashan Public school in Ottawa, while coaching swimming at the Nepean Swim Club and Ottawa YMCA. Upon his return to Western to pursue his Master’s degree, Belfry worked as the interim Head Coach for Western Swimming (1983-85), winning the OWIAA Coach of the Year in 1984. He then became full-time Head Coach from 1985 to 2002.
Belfry was selected as an Assistant Coach for Canadian National teams to the U.S. Open in Indianapolis, Indiana (1987), to a pre-Seoul Olympic dual meet versus the Soviet Union’s team in Moscow (1988), and the World Student Games (FISU) in Sheffield, England (1991). On the home front, he coached Western swimmers to eight CIAU gold and 25 OUAA gold medals.
Belfry has served Western as a faculty member in the School of Kinesiology for 41 years. During his tenure here, he completed his PhD in exercise physiology at the University of Toronto, supervised fifteen graduate students, served as an examiner for many master’s and doctoral theses and taught numerous undergraduate and graduate courses. Belfry has also published 33 research papers in the field of exercise physiology and sport performance.
Barry Martinelli, MA'87 - Builder - Hockey
The Western community is proud to recognize the remarkable career of Barry Martinelli, Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame inductee. Prior to attending Western, Martinelli studied business at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York (1972-76) on a four-year hockey scholarship. A two-sport athlete at RPI (hockey and baseball) he was elected to the RPI Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
Barry arrived at Western in 1983, completing a master’s degree in kinesiology in 1987, specializing in coaching. In 1985, he was appointed as the men’s head hockey coach a role he held for fourteen years (1985-99), garnering a remarkable record of 314 wins, 130 losses, and 43 ties. In 2003 he returned to the Mustang bench as Associate Head Coach (2003-06). His accomplishments at Western were significant: OUA and CIS Coach of the Year (1986–87), five CIS national final appearances including a Silver Medal (1988), and two Queen’s Cups (OUA championship, 1994–95 and 2004-05).
Barry served as assistant coach to the Canadian National Team in Russia (1988-89), head coach for Trondheim Hockey Club (Trondheim, Norway, 1991-92), and assistant coach at the CIS World University Games in Slovakia (1998-99). His successes resonated with those around him, and he was elected to the Sault Ste. Marie Sports Hall of Fame as a builder-sportsman (1999).
Barry later served as Athletic Coordinator (1998-01) and the Manager of Intercollegiate Athletics (2001-03), but continued to be involved in hockey coaching, serving as the London Junior Knights (Minor/Major Peewee AAA) head coach (1999-01). Martinelli continued his involvement in hockey as a part-time amateur scout with the Los Angeles Kings (NHL, 2001-06).
Following his second stint at Western, Barry continued to be involved in hockey coaching, serving as the London Nationals London Nationals (Junior B) head coach and general manager (2007-10), HC Valpellice (Italia Serie A) head coach and general manager (2010-11), and Rosenberg Elite (Norwegian GET League) head coach (2012-13).
With a foundation built on experience and a vision for the future, Martinelli built a legacy of perseverance and purpose.
Scott Nash, BSc’89, MD’93 - Squash
They say that if you want something done, give the job to a busy person – which is of course Dr. Scott Nash!
Scott is probably one of Western’s most complete student athletes, managing to graduate medical school near the top of his class while building one of the most illustrious squash careers on a squash team that dominated OUA squash.
In 1986, just prior to arriving at Western, Scott represented Canada as a member of the National Junior Squash Team at the World Junior Championships in Brisbane, Australia.
At Western, during his five years on the team, he was part of five straight OUA championship teams, was undefeated during OUA team competition, and was the OUA individual champion in 1988. He earned five First Colour Awards, four OUA First Team All-Star selections, a Bronze W (1989), team MVP in 1991, and the illustrious Purple Blanket award in 1991. He capped his career at Western with the Honorable G. Howard Ferguson Award in 1993.
His coach, Western Mustangs legend, Jack Fairs, said of Scott on his Ferguson Award nomination:
“Throughout his university career, Scott Nash has made continued and remarkable achievements in his academic and athletic endeavors. He is one of the top intercollegiate squash players in North America. His perceptive concern and warmth for teammates and fellow students, and his imitable sense of fair play and sportsmanship, are cherished by those who know him.
For his distinguished contributions, I record my respect and admiration for Scott Nash and recommend him without reservation for the Honorable G. Howard Ferguson Award.”
Jack Fairs was most proud of the devotion Scott made towards constantly mentoring future Western squash stars both on and off the court, spending time and energy in support of their cause despite his rigorous academic workload.
Congratulations Dr. Nash on this incredibly well-deserved induction to the Western Mustangs Athletic Association Hall of Fame for 2025.
George Gordon Paterson, BA'33 - Football, Hockey (Posthumously)
George Peterson was an outstanding all-round athlete, playing on the football, hockey and boxing teams while at Western, and later becoming a two-time Grey Cup Champion.
George Gordon Paterson went by “Gord” or “Pat” during his sporting days in Sarnia and at Western. He was an incredible all-round athlete and friend to many. He played football, hockey and baseball throughout the twenties and thirties when leaner schedules permitted young athletes to change seasons and sports regularly.
During his time at Western, he played on the Mustangs football, hockey and boxing teams. Gord was a star kicker and halfback for the Mustangs and won the Vanier Cup in 1932. He also captained the Western hockey team, and was a prolific goal scorer on the way to winning the Shaw Trophy.
A fun fact: it was later discovered that Gord was on Western’s first swim team, as noted by Bob Gage, author of Mustang Tales (2001).
After he graduated from Western with degrees in business and chemistry, he was hired by Imperial Oil in Sarnia where he also played amateur football for the Sarnia Imperials Football Club. In the 1930s, Sarnia was the prominent team in the Canadian Rugby Union, prior to the establishment of the Canadian Football League. During this time, he won two Grey Cups --one versus Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1934, and as team captain, when victorious over the Ottawa Rough Riders at Varsity Stadium in 1936.
Gord’s passion for sports continued after football, where he played hockey for the Chatham Maroons, as well as the local team from Point Edward. He also managed the Sarnia Imperials Football Team in 1950 and chaired the reunion committee in 1967, hosting all former Imperial players that spanned four decades. He was an accomplished trap shooter, duck hunter and fisherman.
Gord retired from Imperial Oil as Assistant Refinery Manager after 38 years of service. He was inducted into the Sarnia Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. Many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren followed in his footsteps to Western, including Scott Paterson, James Paterson, Sarah Smith and Natalia Paterson
Lloyd Renken, BA'80 - Wrestling
Lloyd Renken’s time at Western University from 1976 to 1980 was marked by excellence both on and off the mat. A graduate of the Faculty of Physical Education with an Honours Bachelor of Arts, Lloyd became one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Western Mustangs history.
Over four varsity seasons, Lloyd earned two OUAA (now OUA) provincial gold medals (1978-79, 1979-80), a silver (1977-78), two CIAU (now U SPORTS) national titles, and Captain of the UWO Wrestling Team 1979-80. He was recognized in 1980 with the George Oliphant Trophy as Western’s Outstanding Wrestler and a Bronze 'W' Award. His contributions earned him a place on Western’s Wrestling Wall of Fame in 1999.
On the national and international stage, he won gold at the 1979 Ontario Senior Open and was a Canadian National Champion, representing Canada from 1980 to 1984. His career highlights include bronze medals at the 1982 Commonwealth Games and 1984 World Cup. Renkin was a member of the 1981 F.I.S.U. Games Team in Bucharest, Romania. In 1982, Lloyd was a silver medalist at the Cuba Invitational in Havana, Cuba and represented Canada at the World Championships in Edmonton.
A dedicated coach and mentor, Lloyd guided high school and university athletes, served as an assistant coach at York University, and coached Canadian teams internationally. His leadership in the sport was further recognized with his induction into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
Lloyd remains a strong supporter of Western Wrestling, actively engaging with alumni and encouraging future athletes. Now enjoying retirement, he values time with his family and grandchildren, staying fit and active by playing golf.
Lloyd Renken’s legacy is defined by championship success, leadership, and lifelong dedication to wrestling and the Western community. His induction into the Western Mustangs Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honour for an extraordinary Mustang.
