The Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the athletes, coaches, and builders whose accomplishments have made them a part of history in the Central Okanagan. Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, and Lake Country have produced some exciting competitions and outstanding athletes. The Inductees inspire us to strive for excellence in sports – and in whatever our calling might be.
Hours
Monday | 10:00am – 5:00pm |
Tuesday | Closed |
Wednesday | Closed |
Thursday | 10:00am – 5:00pm |
Friday | 10:00am – 5:00pm |
Saturday | 10:00am – 5:00pm |
Sunday | 11:00am – 4:00pm |
Special Hours
Monday, November 11 | 11:00am – 4:00pm |
Thursday, December 26 | Closed |
The new members of the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame will be inducted during the 2024 Induction Ceremony, held 21 November 2024 at Manteo at the Eldorado Resort, from 7am to 9am. Early bird tickets are $100/ea. Tickets purchased after 1 November are $120/ea.
To purchase please contact Maria Garcia at [email protected] or (250) 763-2417
The 2024 COSHOF Inductees are:
Athlete Category
Jason Crumb played six seasons with the BC Lions as a defensive back. He played in the 2000 and 2004 Grey Cup final, with the Lions winning the 88th Grey Cup in 2000. Jason began his football career playing with the Okanagan Sun junior football team from 1991-1993 and was named the BC Football Conference’s Outstanding Quarterback of the 1993 season.
Mike Crumb played eight seasons (157 games) in the CFL with the BC Lions and the Toronto Argonauts as a safety, winning the Grey Cup with the Lions in 2000 and with the Argonauts in 2004. Mike began his football career with the Okanagan Sun, where he was named an all star.
Builder Category
Dan Martell conducted the first curling clinics in the Okanagan Valley in the 1980s, receiving the Award of Merit from the Canadian Curling Association in 1985 for his contributions to the game. In 1998, he coached the Julie Sutton team to Provincial, National, and World Junior titles in 1988. Dan has officiated Provincial, Canadian, and World championship events and has coached visually impaired curling teams for over ten years, winning seven national titles.
Jack Hoy played basketball on the UBC Thunderbirds, for which he was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Jack also played for Canada at the World Unviersity Games in 1970. He coached the KSS Owls boys basketball team from 1976-1982, finishing the in BC top four twice. Jack served as the director of the Western Canada Basketball Tournament for 25 years, adding innovative competitions such as the slam dunk and 3- point content. The tournament remains one of the premier secondary school athletic events in Western Canada and arguable the country.
Builder/Coach Category
Joni Frei has been coaching softball for more than 20 years. In 2014 and 2023, Joni coached Team BC to gold at the North American Indigenous Games in Regina. In 2021, in just the third year of the program, she coached the UBCO Heat women’s softball team to become Canadian Collegiate champions. Joni led the Langford Lightning to the Canadian Championships in 2022 and 2023. She also founded the East Africa-Canada Exhibition Series, which provides player, coach and umpire clinics.
The Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame is located inside the Okanagan Heritage Museum. Learn more about Kelowna Museum’s flagship museum and visit us today!
Hall of Fame Inductees
Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame
Since 2008, the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame has been inducting Athletes, Builders, and Pioneers. Learn more by visiting the display at the Okanagan Heritage Museum.
On Tuesday, June 18th, COSHOF announced the 2024 Inductees. They are:
- Jack Hoy, Director of the Western Canada Basketball Tournament for 25 years
- Jason Crumb, Grey Cup winner with the 2000 BC Lions (photo credit Grant Scott)
- Mike Crumb, Grey Cup winner with the 2000 BC Lions and 2004 Toronto Argonauts
- Joni Frei, UBCO Heat women’s softball Canadian Collegiate champion coach
- Dan Martell, seven-time national title coach of visually impaired curling teams
The 17th annual COSHOF Inductee Breakfast will be held on Thursday, November 21 from 7am to 9am at Manteo at the Eldorado Resort. Information regarding tickets will be available in October 2024 – please check back
Each year in mid-June, the COSHoF Selection Committee hosts a media event to announce the year’s inductees.
Keep an eye on this page to see who will be next to receive the honour!
If you have questions, please contact:
Patrick Kennedy
Hall of Fame Manager
250-215-7986
[email protected]
2008
1958 Kelowna Packers
2009
Joanne Ritchie
Rick Folk Curling Team
Jack Brow
Athans Family
2010
Jay Christensen
Don Arnold
Teddy Bears Basketball Team
Mervyn Andrews
Henry Tostenson
2011
Lawrence Nagy
Eric Tasker
Joan Campbell
Dan Bertoia and Aundrea Bertoia
2012
Alex Recsky
Dr. Barry Urness
1988 Okanagan Sun Junior Football Team
Glenn Ennis
Erminia Russo
2013
Blair Chapman
Wayne North
Brock Aynsley
Julie Sutton Jr. Women’s Curling Team
2014
Gillian Thomson
Glen Mervyn
Mike & Brenda Van Tighem
2004 Kelowna Rockets Hockey Team
2015
Christie Van Hees
Sarah Charles
Rod Belinski
Wayne Hicks
John & Jennifer Hindle
2016
2007 Kelly Scott Curling Team
Blair Horn
Ron Rubadeau
Conny Stamhuis
Bob Giordano
2017
Conrad Leinemann
Chris Taneda
Garrett Hickling
Malindi Elmore
Kelowna Buckaroos Organisation
2018
Allan Simpson
Chad Folk
Tracey Melesko
Rob Dirk
Hugh Wong
Heather Mandoli Alschuler
2019
Kelsey Serwa
Robyn Buna
Tanya Jones
Duncan McNaughton
Daphne Richard
Roger LaFontaine
2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we took a time-out from inducting folks in 2020.
2021
Kelowna Spartans 1993 Hockey Team
Scott Frandsen
Dorothy (Schwaiger) Jantzen
Edward Allan Horning
Sharon Leveque
Rolli Cacchioni
2022
Phil Ellis
Rob Friend
Kelowna Major Men’s Fastball
Jack May
2023
Clayton Miller
David Bingham
Jim & Karen Bates
Team Canada Wheelchair Curling
Cliff Serwa & Doug Mervyn
The Induction Process
The Sports Legacy Committee accepts nominations from the community in the categories of Athlete, Team, and Builder. Applications are screened and juried by the Selection Committee, who consider levels of participation, accomplishment, and contributions in each of the nomination categories.
Every year, successful inductees are recognized at an inspiring induction gala. If you know someone whom you would like to nominate for induction into the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame, please download the Criteria and Nomination forms. Mail them in, or drop them off at:
Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame Nominations Committee
c/o Okanagan Heritage Museum
470 Queensway Avenue
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 6S7