Moose Jaw Talent Honoured at Third Annual Sports Induction Celebration
The third annual 2017 Induction Class of the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame was held on October 20th. Congratulations to this year’s Inductees: Ryan Anholt, Rod Heisler, Dr. Graeme “Doc” McMaster, Brian Towriss, Steven Michaluk, and the Moose Jaw 1995 Relics/Masters Fastball Team!
Ryan Anholt humbly accepted this honour. He described his opportunities to play in high school and later compete in College as a “fun time” in his life, in addition to sharing about his father’s coaching having been “everything” in terms of its mental, physical and “everyday life” impact on his current accomplishments. Highlights of his career include having had the opportunity to be player of the year in the Southland Conference, Division One baseball; playing with the Canadian National team for three years, and winning a gold medal with the Selects in 1994. Included in his stats are 88 hits and 155 total bases, two Major Baseball League Drafts and a membership with the Canadian National Baseball team. Anholt’s most recent accomplishment was his induction into the Northwestern State N-Club Hall of Fame in 2014. He currently lives in Grapevine, Texas.
Rod Heisler was feeling both privileged and overwhelmed by his induction. He spoke about sharing a mutual love of sports with his friends, and eventually being granted the opportunity to play hockey and then baseball, and crediting his teammates saying “I would never have been able to play university ball without [my teammates] challenging me to play.” When asked what his favourite career accomplishment was, Heisler says that his family was the greatest thing that ever happened to him, and it was great to be able to come home to Moose Jaw and be with his family. Hockey was Heisler’s favourite sport because it takes a team of guys to make it work. He said, “Baseball is a team game made up of individuals playing, whereas with hockey, you just don’t succeed without the rest of the guys.” Heisler’s indictment recognizes both his baseball and hockey accomplishments, highlighting a career which extends from a 1972 Senior Little League Team National Championship all the way up to the present. He becomes the first two-time inductee in the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame (also his fourth indictment into a hall of fame). Denise Burns spoke on behalf of most of the team of the 1995 Relics/Masters who were inducted in the team category. She said everyone was “so amazed and grateful” and they couldn’t believe that they’d been selected. The Relics have been together for 23 years; the induction ceremony attendees having played 19 out of those 23 years. The Relics made significant accomplishments, including a silver outstanding tournament play medal in the 1995 Western Canadian Championships, creating youth fastball camps, and receiving several first or second placings at Masters provincials over the course of close to two decades.
Dr. Graham “Doc” McMaster was inducted in the builder category for Sports Medicine and Cross Country-Track contributions. His favourite career accomplishment was winning the Can-West Championship in cross country the first time that the university had won in a number of years, started from scratch and within a couple of years, the children they motivated came through and “were able to excel.” Doc said he felt “somewhat unworthy” to be recognized, alongside all the other high-level athletes at the ceremony. “To be even considered is just wonderful,” said Dr. McMaster.
Steve Michaluk has been involved with Lacrosse for 21 years, since he moved to Moose Jaw. He spoke about the pride he feels for his organization and his passion for the sport. Michaluk was inducted in the builder and athlete category for his lacrosse game, developments, adminis- tration, clinician and coaching contributions. His favourite Moose Jaw moments include when his brother and him made Team Canada as Juniors (U-19 team), celebrating friendships and his most recent celebration of the Moose Jaw championship which includes his children. In addition to his many accomplishments, Michaluk was the first lacrosse player inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (2008), and currently continues to play as a leading scorer for the 2014 provincial silver medal winning team, the Moose Jaw Chiefs.
Brian Towriss had no idea he would be getting inducted as a builder in the football category when he retired from his position as a 33-year U of S Huskies coach. His favourite career accomplishment was winning the first national championship in 1990, saying the group of kids who won it had really committed themselves about three years earlier and turned the program around…”You know, we lost the conference final, and then we got to the Vanier cup and lost the Vanier Cup, and the third year we came back with primarily the same team and we won it.” Towriss was looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces, reflecting upon how he and his family continue to return to Moose Jaw as often as possible.
If you would like more information about the Induction Ceremony, visit www. mjdshf.com or email info@mjdshf.com.