Alberta Champions Society unveils Field of Fame #8 at WinSport in Calgary

by Maxine Fischbein, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 

(AJNews) – Much has been written about Calgary lawyer, philanthropist and community booster Gordon (Gordy) Hoffman in the pages of AJNews and its predecessor publications. Yet one of his most important civic initiatives has sometimes flown under the radar.

Among the long list of charitable and civic minded initiatives set in motion by Hoffman over many decades, he is the founder and long-serving chair of the Alberta Champions Society (ACS), established in 2003.

The organization devotes itself to recognizing the stellar contributions of notable Calgarians in every imaginable field of endeavour so that the roles they have played in Alberta history can be a rich source of inspiration to future generations.

A major initiative of ACS is the establishment, to date, of eight Fields of Fame gracing a variety of Calgary landmarks. At each, the stories and images of the Champions are shared on eye-catching stainless-steel monuments designed by Calgary architect Michael Shugarman, who was born and raised in Edmonton.

A moving program took place at Canada Olympic Park on Friday, June 19 when Field of Fame Eight was unveiled at the entrance to the WinSport Day Lodge in Calgary.

There, 175 individuals witnessed the posthumous honour paid to seven extraordinary individuals, each of whom contributed enormously to the fabric of civic life during their lifetimes. They are amputee, golf champion and adaptive sports advocate Gwen Davies; sports leader, coach and academic Dr. Dennis Kadatz; business and sports leader Frank King; NFL star and Alberta’s sixteenth Lieutenant Governor Norman (Normie) Kwong; lawyer, sports leader, and former NHL Governor Doug Mitchell; engineer, oil and gas entrepreneur, and sports leader Bob Niven; and philanthropist, animal welfare advocate, and women’s hockey supporter Joan Colleen Snyder.

Among their many extraordinary accomplishments, each of these community builders was passionate about sport and therefore it is especially fitting that their individual and collective achievements are now part of a permanent installation at WinSport.

Prior to the unveiling of Calgary’s newest Field of Fame, a moving program took place, emceed by WinSport President and CEO Barry Heck.

Highlights included an opening blessing delivered by First Nations Elder Jordan Head, a rousing rendition of O Canada by tenor Tony Rino, remarks by Hoffman, and greetings by Doug Hunter (Hunter Family Foundation) who described the close ties he shared with King, Niven and Kadatz, each of whom was instrumental in bringing the 1988 Winter Olympics to Calgary.

A highlight of the afternoon was the introduction of two very promising young Calgarians – Grade Six student Maeve Kelly and Grade Nine student Connie Chen – each of whom received a certificate and cash gift as this year’s Alberta Champions Society Multi-Media award recipients.

Recognizing these talented young women on behalf of ACS was board member and educator Meagan Lundgren, a principal with the Calgary Board of Education.

First conceived as an essay contest, the recognition program has morphed over the years to make it more inclusive, diverse, and engaging of students, Lundgren said. The contest is open to Calgary and area students who research a Champion and bring their creativity to the task of describing that individual’s unique contribution to local life.

Chen shared an excerpt from her beautifully written submission about celebrated author W. O. Mitchell, memorialized in Field of Fame Two at Harley Hotchkiss Park. The subject of Maeve Kelly’s submission – in which she creatively combined prose with eye-popping art – was former Calgary alderman Mary Dover, who was among the first Canadian women to become a military officer. Dover’s monument graces Field of Fame Three at Centrium Place.

Contest entries are judged by a panel who consider, among other elements, the quality of the students’ research and the talent and creativity with which they demonstrate why they are inspired by their chosen Champion and how he or she has motivated them to give back to their community.

Recognizing the tremendous amount of effort required of teachers who choose to involve their students in the multi-media contest, ACS also recognizes the educators who provide guidance and support to the award recipients.

During the ceremony at WinSport, the Champions were honoured with a pre-recorded musical salute – The Heroes of the Game – by local composer and musician Stan Foster.

After closing comments by ACS Executive Administrator Pat Christie, the Field of Fame Eight monuments were unveiled by family members of the late honourees. A festive champagne reception followed.

In addition to the new installation at WinSport, one can visit Fields of Fame at Jamieson Place, Harley Hotchkiss Park, Centrium Place, McDougall Centre, Heritage Park, Spruce Meadows, and Bow Valley Ranche.

Notable Jewish community members previously honoured as Alberta Champions include oil and gas entrepreneur and philanthropist Sydney Kahanoff (Field of Fame Four, McDougall Centre); and philanthropist Dr. Martha Cohen, who blazed trails in social work, post-secondary education and the arts (Field of Fame Six, Spruce Meadows).

In addition to Gordy Hoffman, members of the Jewish community who currently serve on the Alberta Champions Society board of directors include former politician and Canadian Senator Ron Ghitter and Dr. Norm Schachar, PhD, orthopedic surgeon and professor emeritus at the University of Calgary.

Past ACS board members include the late Martin Cohos, an innovative architect who designed notable Calgary landmarks; and the late Harold Milavsky, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Canadian tennis leader.

Gordy Hoffman instinctively knows that the best in each of us brings out the best in all of us, which motivated him to begin championing Champions some 23 years ago.

“Since then, it’s taken on a life and a legacy of its own,” Hoffman told AJNews.

“I want people to see what these giants have done and then consider what they might do,” Hoffman told AJNews. “I want kids to remember and focus on these individuals who did so much for us. They must be forever remembered and honoured.

To find out more about the Alberta Champions Society, the giants they honour, and the ways you can support this community-building initiative, go to www.albertachampions.org.

Maxine Fischbein is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.