When Olympic hockey player Stelio Zupancich  (St. Michael’s College 8T3) is asked what team he played for, he doesn’t say Team Canada. “I say I was a Blue,” Zupancich told the crowd that gathered at Hart House theatre on May 21 to commemorate the 2008 University of Toronto Sports Hall of Fame inductees.

This kind of pride was palpable as the 12 inductees, their friends, family, FPEH faculty and staff reminisced and caught up over cocktails at the Great Hall at Hart House.

Eight individual athletes, two builders and two teams were honoured at this year’s ceremony.  They include:

Bernadette (Casey) Bowyer (St. Michael’s College 8T9) was inducted for her standout skill as the women’s field hockey team captain. Bowyer was named female athlete of the year in 1988-89.  Her accomplishments were rewarded with several all-Canadian and all-star honours.

Marc Dunn (PHE 9T0) was commended for his stellar years on the volleyball court as a Blue. Dunn returned to U of T as an assistant coach from 1992-2001, and helped lead the Blues to six OUA championships.

Fiona Milne (Physiotherapy 9T4) was inducted for her success in the Blues lightweight rowing program. During her years as a Blue, Milne secured gold medals at the Trent Regatta, the Dad Vail Regatta and the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.

Fred Murrell (Dentistry 8T8) was an outstanding Blues basketball player and had a particularly stellar final season. In 1988, Murrell received the Dr. W.A. Potter trophy as the team’s most valuable player, the Competition in Peace award and the Vehovec award for athletic excellence.

Stelio Zupancich (St. Michael’s College 8T3) was captain of the Blues hockey team for two years and led his team to an undefeated season in 1981-82, while his personal scoring record topped OUA charts the following year. 

Jim Shaw (Innis College 7T3, M.Ed. OISE 9T0) was honoured for his achievements as a Blues swimmer. Shaw set CIAU and Canadian records in the 200-yard backstroke and won gold medals in both the 100- and 200-yard backstroke events in 1970 and 1971. Shaw was also named the CIAU swimmer of the year in 1970. 

Elizabeth Mary “Ballen” Stoner (University College 4T2, PHE 4T3) had a passion for athletics that helped her win the provincial intercollegiate badminton championship.  While intercollegiate sports were put on hold during the war years,  “Ballen” was a member of the University College basketball team for three years and also played on the UC badminton team, winning two team championships and three consecutive singles titles. Ballen passed away earlier this year, so Helen Gurney, her friend and peer, accepted the honour on her behalf.

Foy Williams (UTM 9T8) was with the U of T track and field team for just a short time, but made a big impact. Her career at U of T included CIAU gold medals in the 60m, 300m, 4×200m and 4×400m events.

George A. Gross (Education 7T7) was honoured in the Builder category. His coaching skills were likely aided by his own success in the pool as he was also a Varsity water polo athlete and a standout swimmer. His induction honoured a career of racking up impressive achievements as an athlete, a coach and an administrator.

Linda E. (Maki) Pella (Victoria College 6T4) was also acknowledged as a Builder – for her invovlemnt with the Women’s T-Holders’ Association and Women’s Sports at U of T in general. Pella’s commitment began with a passion for ice hockey during her student days.  Palla was a prominent player on the WIAU ice hockey championship teams from 1961 to 1964. After graduating she continued to contribute to the Blues through her role on the executive of the Women’s T-Holders’ Association. She has more than 20 years of service and was their president from 1994-96.

The 1970-71 Men’s Swim Team — which took the Ontario and national championships — was also inducted into the University of Toronto Sports Hall of Fame. Team members include: Jim Adams, Thomas Ballantyne, Barry Bowerman (co-captain), Terrence Bryon, Robin Campbell (head coach), Ian Dalrymple, Zvi Eldar, Russell Farquhar, Aleksander Fedko, Adam Gesin, Michael Guinness (co-captain), Bob Heatley, John LaCosse (diving coach), Alex Lau, Douglas MacIntosh, John MacRae, David McWatters (manager), John Peters, Christopher Rockingham, Nick Rottmann, Jim Shaw and John Twohig.

The 1997-98 women’s track and field team, also provincial and national champions, took the final honour of the evening. Team members include: Frederick Andrade (assistant coach), Lisa Batna, Melinda Bayliss, Heidi (Bindi) Brunner, Melanie Campbell, Rebecca Chambers, Heba Chehode, Yuk-Fan Cho, Andrea Ciacci, Shelly (Cook) Faulhafer, Kirk deFazio (assistant coach), Megan Denos, Jeannie Doig, Marlene Donaldson, Jennifer Drynan-Arseneault, Oluchi Ezurike, Barbara Elliott (manager), Jean Fletcher, Sara Gardner (captain), Carl Georgevski (head coach), Shelby Howard, David Hunt (assistant coach), Jennifer Hunter, Stevan Ivancivic (assistant coach), Jennifer Kopplin (assistant coach), Kathryn Lander, Carly Leung, Donna Louie, Karie Loucks (assistant coach), Jill Mallon, Tara McCarthy, Tara McEvoy, Aneta Mikolajczuk, Sandra Monardo, Cathy Murphy-Mermer (assistant coach), Dawn Newman, Dianna Newman, Lami Oyewumi, Dan Parsons (assistant coach), Andrea Pinnock, Jama Ross (captain), Nadine Saleh, Jacqueline Sandoz, Reid Saxby (assistant coach), Jennifer Stimec, Treva Thomas (captain) and Kristy Wanner.

For a complete list of University of Toronto Hall of Fame inductees click here.