The Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame is looking for a few good athletes. Teams, coaches and builders as well.
The organization is accepting nominations for its hall and wall of fame until March 1.
The hall of fame honours athletes and teams that have enjoyed considerable success in their sporting endeavours at least three years after they stopped competing. Builders can still be active; they include coaches, volunteers, officials, administrators, media and even practitioners of sports medicine.
Nominated athletes must have been born in Coquitlam or lived or attended school in the city for a combined minimum of eight years.
Teams can be nominated for one outstanding year or a cumulative history of achievements.
The wall of fame recognizes outstanding performances or accomplishments from the previous year.
Its categories include:
- Coach of the year
- College/university athlete of the year
- Disabled athlete of the year
- High school female athlete of the year
- High school male athlete of the year
- Junior female athlete of the year (under 18 as of Jan. 1 last year)
- Junior male athlete of the year (under 18 as of Jan. 1 last year)
- Senior female athlete of the year (19 years of age or older as of Jan. 1 last year)
- Senior male athlete of the year (19 years of age or older as of Jan. 1 last year)
- Master athlete of the year (55 years old or older)
- Team of the year
- Volunteer of the year
Nominations for both the hall and wall can be submitted online or by email.
Inductees to the hall of fame are included in special displays of memorabilia, artifacts, photos and clippings in the lobby of the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex while the names of those selected for the wall of fame are added to plaques on display outside the ice rinks.
All are celebrated at a gala ceremony early in the summer.
The hall was the brainchild of former Coquitlam lacrosse icon, Les Wingrove, who pitched the idea of celebrating the city’s sporting achievements as part of the extensive renovations and expansion that would transform the old Coquitlam Sports Centre into its current state with three arenas, aquatic and fitness centres as well as multi-purpose rooms.
The hall welcomed its first inductees in 2010 and now includes such renowned sporting figures as world champion curler Kelley Law, BC Lions kicker Lui Passaglia, Olympic speed skater Neal Marshall, track and field coach Percy Perry, cyclist Alex Stieda and Olympic gymnast Kate Richardson.
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