April 3, 2006 Source: :
http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/april06/hall-of-fame.html 2006 Class of U of C Hall of Fame inductees announced A pair of athletes that have competed on the world stage and an individual who made a lasting legacy to the Athletic Department and facilities at the University of Calgary comprise the 2006 inductees in to the University of Calgary Athletic Hall of Fame. Field hockey player Michelle Conn, volleyball player Randy Gingera, and former Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology, Dr. Roger Jackson were inducted into the University of Calgary Athletic Hall of Fame on Monday, April 3. Dr. Roger Jackson’s contributions were enormous while serving two five-year terms as Dean of the Faculty from 1978 through 1988. Dr. Jackson played an active role in athletics serving as President of the Canada West University Athletic Association. He was the guiding force in the expansion of the Physical Education Building, the building of the Olympic Oval, and coordination of these projects with respect to the XV Winter Olympic Games that were hosted by Calgary in 1988. Many of facilities present today are the result of his vision along with the many of his philosophies with respect to athletic scholarships. He is a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, and Canadian Olympic Order as well as an Officer of the Order of Canada. Roger recently served as a senior adviser to the successful London 2012 Olympic Games bid and currently Chief Executive Officer for "Own the Podium in 2010." Launched in January 2005, Own The Podium – 2010 is a $110-million sport technical initiative designed to help Canada become the number one nation in terms of medals won at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and to place in the top three nations at the 2010 Paralympics Winter Games. Conn spent five seasons as a starter (1981-85) competing in women’s field hockey. She was a three-time Canada West all-star and the first University of Calgary player selected as an All-Canadian in women’s field hockey in 1985 earning a University of Calgary Athletic Award that year. Conn played 93 games for Canada on the international stage serving as team captain from 1989 through 1992. Michelle started for Canada in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics as well as competing in two World Championships and two Pan American Games. She was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Michelle graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Sciences degree majoring in Statistics in 1988 and received her Certified General Accounts designation in 2001. Gingera’s name was synonymous with volleyball during his four years with the Dinos from 1985-86 through 1988-89. He was a Canada West all-star three times, a Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (forerunner to the CIS) first team All-Canadian in 1988 and 1989, and was unanimously chosen Canada West and CIAU Player of the Year in 1989. Gingera was named University of Calgary Male Athlete of the Year in 1989. He was a vital member of the 1989 National Championship team that went unbeaten. After the 1989 season, Randy competed internationally for Canada as well as playing professionally around the globe. Randy returned to campus completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2000 from the University of Calgary. He went on to graduate school and in June 2005 completed a Master's in Environmental Design (Industrial Design). His Master Degree project was the runner up for the Environmental Design Gold Medal given to the most outstanding graduating student in the Faculty. RANDY GINGERA
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL Excellence and excitement are adjectives describing what Randy Gingera brought to the court when he was a member of the University of Calgary men’s volleyball team. Randy Gingera joined the University of Calgary Dinos men’s volleyball team directly from Lord Beaverbrook High School for the 1985-86 season. He became a starter as a freshman and never looked back. He led the Dinos to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (then CIAU) bronze medal in 1988 and was a key player in Calgary’s march to the National Championship in 1989. He was named University of Calgary Male Athlete of the Year in 1989 and CIS Player of the Year of that same season. He was a CIS first team All-Canadian on two occasions (1988 and 1989) and Canada West first team all-star in 1987, 1988 and 1989. Randy was the unanimous selection for Canada West Player of the Year in 1989. Along the way, Gingera captured numerous tournament all-star and Most Valuable Player awards. The 1989 University of Calgary team went unbeaten throughout Canada and lost just one match in tournament play, losing the Final of the prestigious University of Santa Barbara Tournament to NCAA Division I power UCLA. Gingera represented Canada internationally for almost ten seasons as a member of the National team and played professionally around the globe. His patterned jump service was a thing to watch as he rarely missed. His leaping ability was legendary and had the ability to make kills from any point on the court consistently. Randy returned to complete his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2000 from the University of Calgary. He went on to graduate school and in June 2005 completed a Master's in Environmental Design (Industrial Design). His Master Degree project was the runner up for the Environmental Design Gold Medal given to the most outstanding graduating student in the Faculty. He is married to former University of Calgary women’s volleyball player, Julie Berdin. They have two children, Scarlett (three) and Reeve (18 months). DR. ROGER JACKSON
BUILDER When describing the impact that Dr. Roger Jackson had on the University of Calgary, all one has to do is look around the campus. He was a visionary in so many facets that exist on campus today with his legacy being in so many critical areas. Dr. Roger Jackson was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education (now Kinesiology) in July 1978 and served for two terms. As Dean he built a significant research program and academic environment and established the first graduate programs at the Masters and Doctoral levels. In 1988, he created the Sport Medicine Center and became its Founding Director. He generated funding for the construction of this facility, and for the two subsequent additions, along with recruiting the staff and health professionals. In recognition of his accomplishments in building a significant research program and academic environment during his two terms as Dean, a new health research centre – named the Roger Jackson Centre for Health and Wellness Research – was opened in June 2005. His contributions to the betterment of athletics at the University of Calgary are immense. Dr. Jackson played an active role in athletics serving as President of the Canada West University Athletic Association and most importantly was the guiding force in the expansion of the Physical Education Building, the building of the Olympic Oval, and coordination of these projects with respect to the XV Winter Olympic Games that were hosted by Calgary in 1988. Many of facilities present today are the result of his vision along with the many of his philosophies with respect to athletic scholarships. Dr. Jackson served as President of the Canadian Olympic Association for several years. He was an outstanding athlete competing in three Olympics (Tokyo, 1964; Rome 1968; and Munich, 1972) in rowing and was a former Olympic gold medalist in 1964. He has served in multiple capacities over the years in the areas of sport and the Olympics, as well as the Cantos Music Foundation, the Calgary International Organ Festival and the "Friends of the Flames" campaign. He is a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, and Canadian Olympic Order as well as an Officer of the Order of Canada. Roger recently served as a senior adviser to the successful London 2012 Olympic Games bid and currently Chief Executive Officer for "Own the Podium in 2010." Launched in January 2005, Own The Podium – 2010 is a $110-million sport technical initiative designed to help Canada become the number one nation in terms of medals won at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and to place in the top three nations at the 2010 Paralympics Winter Games. The focus of the initiative is to provide additional resources and high performance programming to Canadian athletes, coaches and support personnel to help them achieve podium success in 2010. MICHELLE CONN
WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEY A ‘trail-blazer’ in her sport can be used to describe Michelle Conn’s contribution to women’s field hockey at the University of Calgary and beyond. A five-year starter on the University of Calgary Dinos women’s field hockey team from 1981 through 1985, Michelle distinguished herself both in university competition and on the world stage. She was the first University of Calgary player to be named an All-Canadian in the sport in 1985. Conn was a three-time Canada West all-star and is regarded as one of best players in her sport to don a University of Calgary uniform. Internationally she represented Canada playing 93 games at a myriad of international competitions including various World Championships and Olympic Games. She was a carded athlete from 1983 through 1992. She started for the Canadian team at both the 1988 and 1992 Olympics and was an alternate on the 1984 team. She was co-captain of the National women’s team from 1989 through 1992. The highlight of her career was helping Canada claim the bronze medal at the 1986 World Championships in Holland, the second highest ever placing by the National women’s team. She is regarded as one of the top goal scorers ever produced in women’s field hockey in Canada. At the 1986 World Championship Tournament she was named "the Most Promising Player," by media covering the event. In 2001 she inducted into to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame for her contribution to the sport, becoming just the second Albertan in women’s field hockey to join the Hall. A gifted all-around athlete, Michelle excelled in all sports while attending St. Francis High School in Calgary. After retiring from the National Women’s Field Hockey team following the 1992 Olympics, Michelle turned her attention to competitive marathons and triathlons before focusing on golf. She was Women’s Club Champion in 2005 at the Riverbend Golf Club in Red Deer. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Sciences degree majoring in Statistics in 1988, and attained her Certified General Accountants designation in 2001. Michelle now works as an assistant comptroller with Olymel, Inc in Red Deer, AB.
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