Sports Hall welcomes Pronghorns

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:21:13 +0000

It was a Blue and Gold night recently at the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fames' annual induction ceremony and banquet.

A pair of former Pronghorn basketball players were inducted into the hall as athletes, while another alumnus earned induction for his contributions to the sport of curling.

Inducted into the hall were Dori (Rodzinyak) Johnson (BA '87), Danny Balderson (BA/BEd '01) and Don Chandler (BASC '73).

Johnson was a star point guard with the Pronghorns women's basketball team from 1982 through 1987. In five Canada West seasons she garnered four all-star nods and was named team most valuable player from 1982 through 1985.

Johnson would return to the U of L in 1991-92 and take over the head-coaching role of the Pronghorns. A year later, she would guide the Horns to their first Canada West title and a fourth place finish at the national championship tournament.

Balderson is the most decorated player in the history of the men's basketball program. Over a five-year career that began in 1993-94, Balderson won a national rookie of the year honour, was a two-time Canada West player of the year, two-time, first-team All-Canadian and CIS player of the year. Balderson would conclude his career as the U of L's all-time leading scorer with 2,000 points and have his No. 31 jersey retired.

Chandler was elected into the builders' category for his long association with curling in southern Alberta. Over a 30-year span, Chandler has contributed to the growth and development of the Lethbridge Curling Club, serving in various capacities.

Women's fastball program looking for return to action

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:49:21 +0000

Women's fastball is alive at the collegiate level. The next goal is to make it well.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has had an on-again off-again relationship with women's fastball and Bill Halma would like to see a strong return next fall. In order to do so, he needs the word out now that the program is ready to roll.

"We've got about eight to 10 ladies very interested in playing but we need 14 to 16, of which we probably need at least two to three solid pitchers. That's been a real problem for us in the past," says Halma, manager, programs for Sport and Recreation Services, adding that the program is also searching for a coach.

Women's fastball falls under the "semi-competitive" sport tag, along with U of L club sports like golf and curling. These are all self-funded activities that participate in leagues outside the auspices of official Canada West competition.

They have a following however and just because they have no official status now, that can always change – just see the history of women's rugby.

The U of L has fielded a women's fastball team for four of the last six seasons but after two years away from competition, Halma would like to see it restored this fall.

"Nobody comes here specifically to play women's fastball but if we were to have a strong program, maybe it's just another one of those activities available on campus that may help sway someone's decision to enroll here," he says. "We're always looking to provide our students with as many outlets as possible and this is one I think could be very popular."

Playing in the Alberta Intercollegiate Women's Fastball Association, the U of L would challenge a mix of university and college squads (allowing the U of L to also include Lethbridge College players). Beginning a schedule in early September and wrapping up around Thanksgiving, teams try to play three to five games in a weekend set. The challenge, of course, is finding field availability and compressing a schedule into a tight timeframe.

"We have a bit of a challenge here in Lethbridge because there is no formal fastball league anymore," Halma says. "Unfortunately, then we're only gaining players from outside the city of Lethbridge."

He currently has a core group of six to eight players regularly working out at an indoor facility in preparation for next fall. Anyone interested in joining the program can contact Halma at 403-329-5107 or via e-mail at halma@uleth.ca

UNews - curling

Sports Hall welcomes Pronghorns

Related Topics

Women's fastball program looking for return to action

Related Topics