Hall Of Fame Adds Nine Members

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Wednesday, 23 November 2011 18:59

A tradition has started again in Vernon.  The Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame has started inducting worthy builders, teams and athletes for the first time in 20 years after the committee was resurrected. Committee member Roger Knox says nine new members were inducted at a ceremony Wednesday at the Schubert Centre, attended by about 150 people.  "There was definitely more (candidates) on the list and those that didn't make it this year, will be considered next year but to narrow it down to the one's we had today, was very tough.  Vern Dye who helped start Vernon's Junior A hockey franchise, and his son Wayne who was named Vernon's Athlete of the Century in 2000, entered the shrine posthumously.
Rhytmic gymnast-now coach Camille Martens, former major league baseball slugger Kevin Reimer of Enderby, the Vernon Lakers Centennial Cup winning teams from 1990 and 91, and Vernon born downhill skier Rob Boyd were among the others to get in.  Swimmers Gary and Steven Vander Meulen were also honoured.  Wendy Gilroy, daughter of Vern Dye, and Wayne's sister, accepted the honours for the pair. Vern passed away in 2004, while Wayne died at age 35 in 1988. Wayne was drafted by both baseball's Seattle Pilots and hockey's Chicago Black Hawks. Emcee and committee member Kevin Mitchell who grew up with the younger Dye, called him a "fiery competitor." One of the most memorable moments was when Larry Kwong was inducted. He was introduced by Silver Star Elementary student Gavin Donald who did a project on Kwong, who he called a "hero to me." The 88 year old Vernon resident was the first Chinese Canadian to play in the NHL when he suited up for one game--and got to play in one shift---for the New York Rangers at the Montreal Forum on March 13, 1948, before being sent down the minors. Knox says it was long overdue recognition for Kwong. "To have him here was extra special and we saw that with the ovation he got. And the fact that he wanted to speak was great. He came up with some funny lines and he's still a great personality." Kwong cracked the crowd up with his first line, "I have a secret.........getting old is the shits." He also said he was blessed to be able to watch his two grand daughters, and paid tribute to his former left winger and good friend George Dobie who passed away last year. Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame inductees and artifacts can be seen in the showcases at Wesbild Centre, and Greater Vernon Museum curator Ron Candy says information on it will soon be available on their website.