York’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science has announced the 2007 inductees for the York University Sport Hall of Fame. Four former interuniversity athletes and one builder will be inducted during the dinner and ceremony on Thursday, May 31.
Right: Inductee Nobby Wirkowski
Created in 1980, the Sport Hall of Fame honours individuals who have significantly contributed to York’s interuniversity sport program as athletes, coaches and administrators; and who have exemplified the spirit and ideals of York University sports in their professional and community life. The selection committee consisted of three varsity alumni, two current student-athletes, and several university administrators, including the director of sport & recreation.
2007 Inductees
Trish (Barnes) Stone played five seasons on the women’s volleyball team (1980-1985). During her time on the squad, York won four consecutive Ontario Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Association (OWIAA) Championships (1981-1985) and claimed three bronze medals at the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) National Championships. Stone was named an OWIAA all-star in 1982-1983 and 1984-1985. In the summer of 1981, Stone was invited to join the Canadian Junior National team.
During her four years on the women’s basketball team (1982-1986), Paula Lockyer was named an OWIAA all-star in each season. As a rookie, she helped York finish second in the conference with a 9-3 record. In her final year at York, Lockyer finished third in the OWIAA in assists, while leading the conference in free throw percentage (93.8%).
A member of York’s swimming team from 1977 to 1979, Gary MacDonald struck gold five times at the CIAU National Championship in 1977-1978. Individually, he won gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, while also earning gold as a member of the 4x400m and 4x800m freestyle relay teams. That same year, he was named CIAU Outstanding Male Swimmer of the Year. Prior to attending York, MacDonald won silver at the 1976 Olympic Games in the 4x100m freestyle relay and competed in the 1974 Commonwealth Games.
In five seasons at York (1974-1979), gymnast David Steeper helped the team claim five Ontario University Athletic Association and CIAU Championship titles. As an individual, he won four gold medals at the nationals and nine at the provincial championships. His finest campaign came in 1977-1978, where he claimed five individual gold medals at the OUAA Championship.
Norbert ‘Nobby’ Wirkowski was the founder of York’s football program in 1968. During his 24-year career at York, Wirkowski served as the head coach of the football team for 10 years (1968-1975 and 1988-1989) and as associate head coach from 1984 to 1987. In addition, he served as the coordinator of the men’s interuniversity athletic program, coached the interuniversity men’s golf team (including two provincial titles), was an instructor in the physical education program, and was involved in the creation of the OUAA in 1971.
Prior to coming to York, Wirkowski quarterbacked the 1952 Toronto Argonauts to a Canadian Football League Grey Cup championship and also served as the Argonauts’ head coach and director of player personnel in the 1960s. Wirkowski was inducted into the Mississauga Hall of Fame in 1977. He retired from York in 1992.
The York Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony takes place on Thursday, May 31 at the Montecassino Banquet Hall in Woodbridge. Tickets are $75 per person or $600 per table (eight seats) and are available at the Sport York Office, 302 Tait McKenzie Centre, or by calling ext. 55183. A copy of the ticket order form and hotel information is available on the Sport York Web site.