Gold medallists, national champs headline Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame’s 2026 class

More than 30 years have passed since Dean Bertoia stood atop the podium in Winnipeg with a Canadian university gold medal around his neck.

However, those memories aren’t too far away for the former University of Saskatchewan shot put star.

“I was pretty hyped up in that sixth round,” Bertoia said. “I ended up winning the championships by well over half a metre in that last throw.”

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Bertoia’s 1995 championship win with the Huskies was one of the highlights of his athletic career and later this fall, he’ll be celebrated for his work both as an athlete and U Sports coach as part of the 2026 class for the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame.

“I’ve always wanted to be in the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame,” Bertoia said. “I had a very good career as an athlete, I had an exceptional (career) as a coach. Yeah, very special for me.”

Bertoia is one of five athletes who were officially announced Thursday at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex as having their names enshrined in the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame this November.

Also receiving the call in the athlete category is 10-time provincial golfing champion Colin Coben, four-time Canada West wrestling gold medallist Terry Johnson, Pan-Am Games gold medal-winning softball pitcher Rob Scheller and former Huskies men’s soccer goalkeeper Kent Kowalski.

“A lot of years go by since your playing career,” Kowalski said.

“To get the call that I’ve been recognized for some of your accomplishments in the past is a great honour, especially if you look at a lot of the people that are already in the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame.”

Kowalski was an all-Canadian twice with the Huskies in 1990 and 1991, which launched his pro career playing with the Winnipeg Fury in the Canadian Soccer League for three seasons.

A PhD professor with the University of Saskatchewan’s kinesiology department, Kowalski has been a yearly attendee at the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame dinner and will now view the ceremony from a different angle.

“I have a pretty good idea of what it looks like,” Kowalski said. “I think it will be a little different walking down the aisle and sitting on the stage than I’m used to, but I’m looking forward to it.”

In the team category, the Huskies men’s volleyball squad will be inducted for their national gold medal-winning season in 2003-04.

Led by brothers Adam and Joel Ens, the Huskies finished third in the regular season and would go on to rise in playoffs to capture Canada West and Canadian university titles.

“This group of guys were a group that persevered quite a bit,” said longtime Huskies head coach Brian Galvas.

“We won in (1999) and then five years later, a completely different group also won. That’s a significant accomplishment.”

The 2003-04 Huskies were the fourth team in program history to capture national gold and remains the most recent national championship won by the Huskies men’s volleyball team.

Gavlas expects most of that team to reunite in November to celebrate a win which still binds the team together.

“All of those guys still have a bond that lasts throughout their lifetimes,” Gavlas said.

Three builders were also announced Thursday as inductees including bowling coach Gabriel Brecht and ringette official Gary Loy, as well as Saskatoon Rowing Club founding member Bob Haver.

A prominent voice for the club since its launch in 1973, Haver has overseen Olympic medallists like Cameron Baerg and World Championship silver medallist Tracy Duncan.

He said his biggest victory however, has been the friendships and connections he’s made over half a century on the water in Saskatoon.

“It’s just been a lot of fulfillment,” Haver said. “More than anything, I’ve just made a whole community of friends and that’s been the biggest goal for me. It’s just a good group of people.”

The Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League, meanwhile, was named the sports organization of the year, celebrating the more than 400 athletes who competed in its 34th competitive season.

With sports ranging from the pitch, to the track, to the ice and ball diamond, Bertoia added this year’s crop of inductees showcases how local athletes have been able to stack up against the best, both nationally and internationally.

“We continue to produce world class athletes,” Bertoia said. “I’m not surprised by it because it’s just kind of what has been created here in Saskatoon.”

The Class of 2026 will be officially inducted on Nov. 7 at Prairieland Park for the 39th edition of the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame Dinner.