The University of Toronto has been home to a great number of exceptional athletes. In an effort to celebrate outstanding performance and extraordinary athletic careers, the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, with assistance from the T-Holders’ Association, honoured student athletes, teams, and builders at this year’s 28th annual Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 5.

The selection committee is composed of nine voting members from the T-Holders’ Association, the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, the Faculty Council, the media, the University of Toronto Alumni Association, and a presidential appointee. The committee bases its decision on a number of criteria including contribution to the varsity program, and representation at provincial, national, and international levels.

Student-athlete nominees are selected from a pool of students who have represented the university and competed with distinction in past years. The committee judges teams based on their outstanding level of intercollegiate competition, as well as achievements in other athletic areas.

Finally, builders being inducted were expected to have contributed extensively to the university’s community beyond the realm of the athletics program over an extended period of time.

This year, the Sports Hall of Fame welcomed four-time Olympic champion, Jayna Hefford, as well as Ontario University Athletics all-star and 2001 captain of the Blues women’s hockey team, Jen Rawson. The 2000–2001 Ontario and Canadian champion women’s hockey team and the 1983–1984 men’s hockey team wERE also inducted on Thursday, along with former NHL athlete, Andre Hidi, and current men’s hockey coach, Darren Lowe.

In addition to these successful hockey athletes, the Sports Hall of Fame inducted Olympic pole-vaulter Bruce Simpson, former pitcher of the year, Michael Didier, and a number of other highly successful athletes and builders who have continued to thrive in their respective areas well beyond graduation.

  This year’s inductees:

 
Athletes:

Diana Clarke, BPHE 1997, 
Volleyball

Michael Didier, BPHE 2001, OISE BED 2002, 
Baseball

Charles Gossage, BMED 1924, 1931 (posthumous induction)
, Boxing

Jayna Hefford, BPHE 2004, 
Hockey

Andre Hidi, Trinity, 1981, 1983, 
Hockey

Darren Lowe, BPHE 1985, OISE 1986, 
Hockey

Jennifer Rawson, BPHE 1999, OISE 2000, 
Hockey

Bruce Simpson, Victoria College 1974
, Track & Field

Jean Stevenson, Victoria College 1942, OISE 1972, 
Basketball

Builders: 

Winifred Baxter, Trinity 1940, 
Swimming

David Breech, St. Michael’s College 1971
, Water Polo

Richard Kollins, University College 1964, OISE 1973, 1980, 
Football



Teams:

1995–1996 Women’s Volleyball, 
OWIAA Champions

2000–2001 Women’s Hockey, 
CIAU Champions

1983–1984 Men’s Hockey, 
CIAU Champions