Vancouver – The UBC Sports Hall of Fame is set to welcome four new remarkable individual inductees along with two dominant Thunderbirds teams and a prodigious Builder as the honoured class of 2021. The class was revealed at Thursday evenings virtual Big Block gala and the honourees include Caitlin Meredith, Akbal Singh, Carrie (Watson) Watts, Brooks McNiven, the 1965-66 men's field hockey team, the 2000-01 women's golf team and Dr Jack Taunton. They'll join fellow distinguished T-Birds alumni who together have laid the foundation for the most decorated varsity athletics program in Canada.
As usual there was a very large and competitive pool of alumni to choose from—and this year saw the most nominations we've ever received which is a testament to the great amount of excellence within our UBC community.
The first inductions into the Hall were celebrated in 1993 and with each year since inductees of unparalleled quality have been embraced, the product of a careful research and selection committee process.
The celebrated inductees have all left a remarkable impact on the UBC community and will be recognized as members of the prestigious UBC Sports Hall of Fame. While we have not been able to gather in person to celebrate together, we hope the videos will help bridge a connection between the present and our past
We are incredibly proud of our alumni and those who have helped build our programs. Please join us in celebrating the UBC Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
TEAMS
1965-66 Men's Field Hockey
The 1965-66 UBC Thunderbird team was recognized as the best club side in Canada and was underlined by each of the players of the team being awarded a UBC Big Block and by the prominent role of members of the team representing British Columbia in Canadian National Championships and Canada in international field hockey competitions.
Those members of the 1965-66 UBC Thunderbird team who represented BC in Canadian National Championships and Canada in international competitions were: Lee Wright (including the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Games and the 1967, 1971 and 1975 Pan American Games), Warren Bell (including the 1967 and 1971 Pan American Games ), Glen McCannel (including the 1967 Pan American Games), Paul McMillen (including the 1967 Pan American Games), Diederik Wolsak (including the 1971 Pan American Games), Bruce Hodgson (including the 1971 Pan American Games), Bryan Rattray (including the 1971 Pan American Games), Doug Harrison (including the 1971 Pan American Games), Nigel Hawkesworth, Tom Morton, Keith Harrison and coach Eric Broom. Canadian teams won a bronze 1971 Pan American Games and a silver medal in the 1975 Pan American Games.
Eric Broom, who coached the Canadian team in the 1971 Pan American Games held in Winnipeg, was the mentor of six UBC Thunderbird teams, four of which won the Challenge Cup (1964-65, 1965-66, 1966-67 and 1971-72), and one which won the Newcastle Shield (1966-67).
A significant reason for the success of the UBC Thunderbird teams was the presence and inspiration of Dr. Harry Warren, who, played for UBC Varsity teams in the 1920s, coached UBC Varsity teams in the 1930s and introduced field hockey in the 1950s to many University Hill School students, including six students, who became members of the 1965-66 Thunderbird team.
2000-01 Women's Golf
UBC Thunderbirds first entered the NAIA conference in 1999 and the women's golf team immediately earned a 2
nd place finish. Coach Ann Holmes knew the team was capable of improving to win the title the next year and implemented innovative strength training as well as introduced mental performance to their program.
The team's dedication and focus on winning the title paid off and the T-Birds won the 2001 NAIA National Golf Championship by 34 strokes and earned a place in the record books as the first Canadian golf team to win a NAIA golf title and Ann was recognized as the first Canadian program coach to win Coach of the Year honours.
This historic win set off a string of trophies for UBC women's golf with titles in 2001, 2004, 2010, 2012 and 2019, making the program the 2
nd most decorated team in NAIA history.
BUILDER
Dr. Jack Taunton, MD'76
Jack Taunton's own experience as a nationally-ranked marathon runner incited a drive to pioneer an integrative sport medicine practice. Immediately after completing his Doctor of Medicine at UBC in 1976, Jack, Dr Doug Clement and Don McKenzie co-founded the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre. Over the past 40 years, innumerable UBC students and athletes have benefited from his expertise as a doctor, coach, graduate supervisor, clinical teacher, researcher, and mentor.
Due to his boundless resiliency and optimism, Jack has shown a knack for accomplishing the impossible; including supporting athlete health at EIGHT Olympic Games and earning a rare distinction from the International Olympic Committee for the best sport medicine program in Olympic Games-host history for his role as Chief Medical Officer for Vancouver 2010.
His work ethic, innovation and team approach has garnered Jack numerous awards and accolades, including the UBC Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty Community Service and induction to numerous Halls of Fame.
ATHLETES
Akbal Singh, BA'03
When Akbal Singh was drafted by the BC Lions in 1999, he had rushed for 3,698 yards over four seasons – a UBC record. As a Thunderbird, Akbal is considered one of the best-ever running backs, helping the program to play in 3 Hardy Cup finals and winning the 1997 Vanier Cup.
Throughout his university career he set numerous team and conference rushing records and still maintains the UBC record for most rushing yards in a season (1,787). In both of his last two years at UBC, Akbal was recognized as a Canada West All Star, an All-Canadian and was awarded the Frank Gnup Memorial Trophy as Canada West's Player of the Year and the conference's Most Outstanding Player nomination for the Hec Crighton Trophy.
In 2018, Akbal was inducted into the BC Football Hall Fame and the Frank Gnup Wall of Honour in 2020. He is currently a realtor and is serving the Vancouver community as a professional firefighter.
Carrie (Watson) Watts, BHK'04, BEd'05, MKin'11
In the early 2000s, Carrie Watson and her teammates were instrumental in the Thunderbirds return to national prominence. Under the guidance of Coach Deb Huband, Carrie led the 'Birds on a memorable championship run in 2004, capturing the team's first Bronze Baby since 1974, and earning National Championship MVP recognition. That year, Carrie was also named a CIS All-Canadian, CIS and Canada West Defensive Player of the Year, Basketball BC University Female Athlete of the Year, and was recognized at UBC with the Marilyn Pomfret Trophy for UBC's Female Athlete of the year, as well as the Thunderbird Performance Leadership Award.
After graduating, Carrie played for three years with the Senior Women's National team; she represented Canada at the Pan American Games and is one of few UBC Basketball players to have competed in the FIBA World Championships. Carrie returned to UBC in 2007 as the program's full-time Assistant Coach.
Caitlin Meredith, BSc'07, DMD'13
As a member of the prestigious "5-for-5" club, Caitlin Meredith competed during UBC Swimming's Decade of Dominance era. In her first season, she was recognized as the CIS Rookie of the Year and earned national titles for each of her 5 years with the Thunderbirds. She is one of the winningest Birds, having collected 26 medals at CIS national championships throughout her career.
Incredibly, while still a student-athlete, Caitlin also competed at three World Student Games and represented Canada at the 2007 Pan Am Games and earned a silver medal in the 4x100 medley relay.
Her athletic successes translated into the classroom as a 3-time Academic All-Canadian, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Cellular Biology and Genetics before pursuing her Doctor of Dental Medicine. Throughout her time at UBC she was an energetic volunteer which continues today as a proud UBC Swimming and Dentistry alumna.
Brooks McNiven, BHK'08, Grad Cert (High Perf Coach & Tech Lead) 206, M.H.P.C.T.L 2018
Brooks McNiven's incredible baseball career is a wonderful testament to trusting the process and nurturing a life-long love of the game. In 4 short years under the leadership of UBC coaches Terry McKaig and Adam DeBray, Brooks developed into a world-class pitcher and was drafted in the 4
th round of the MLB draft in 2003.
Throughout his Thunderbird career, Brooks garnered a winning percentage of over 80% and an incredible 2.25 ERA, earning him the NAIA West Player of the Year title. McNiven pitched with the San Francisco Giants organization for 7 seasons and represented Canada at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
He is now coaching the next generation of baseball players as an academy coach and sharing his love of sport with his young family.
The UBC Hall of Fame, located in the main foyer of Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, features some of the university's most respected sports figures and moments. It highlights UBC's decorated history through photographs and memorabilia. Nominations for the 2022 class are now open until October 2021.
