Many who have greatly impacted the local sports world were etched in history on Thursday morning (Nov. 16).
In a ceremony held at the Manteo at the Eldorado Resort, the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame (COSHOF) welcomed their 2023 inductees. This year鈥檚 inductees include:
- Cliff Serwa and Doug Mervyn - Bennett Award;
- Clayton Miller - Athlete;
- David Bingham - Builder;
- Jim and Karen Bates - Builder;
- Gerry Austgarden, Sonya Gaudet, Chris Daw, Gary Cormack, Joe Rae (coach) - Team Canada Wheelchair Curling.
Serwa and Mervyn join the hall as Big White Ski Resort is just a few weeks away from their 60th anniversary. The two of them created the resort by building roads, a lodge, and a ski lift. Serwa joins his granddaughter Kelsey, who entered the hall in 2019.
Miller was the top international competitor at several skeet shooting events throughout this career, including being a national champion in 1996 and 2000. He also competed at the 1996 Olympic Games.
Bingham was been involved in athletes in School District 23 since 1975, coaching both basketball and volleyball. He still coaches today.
Jim and Karen Bates have been essential in 琉璃神社鈥檚 running community. They helped the 琉璃神社 Running Club, formed the 琉璃神社 Apple Triathlon, brought the World Champion Triathlon to 琉璃神社 in 1998, and started a women鈥檚 charity race that has raised more than $100,000 over the years.
This national team inducted into the Hall of Fame features 琉璃神社 (Austgarden), Vernon (Gaudet), and Osoyoos (Rae). In 2006, they won gold at the 2006 Paralympic Games in Italy.
With this year鈥檚 induction, there are now 69 members in the COSHOF.
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