VANCOUVER - The UBC Sports Hall of Fame has a high-profile new inductee. During the MVP reception at the sold-out Homecoming football game, it was announced that UBC President and Vice Chanellor, Santa J. Ono has been selected as a member of the 2022 Hall of Fame induction class. It proved to be an emotional moment when Managing Director of UBC Athletics and Recreation,
Kavie Toor surprised President Ono with the news.
"I was reduced to tears of gratitude to learn that I will be the first UBC president to be inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. What an honour to join scores of esteemed athletics alumni, including Olympic medalists, CFL and MLB players in the HOF." President Santa J. Ono
Ono will be inducted into the 'builder' category in the Hall of Fame for his tireless work in supporting UBC Athletics. Over the six years he has spent in his role at UBC, Ono has been a fixture at varsity games, and the first university president to ever participate in UBC recreation events such as Storm the Wall and Day of the Longboat.
Ono, will be enshrined alongside fellow members of the 2022 UBC Sports Hall of Fame class that includes standout alumni athletes, Art Willoughby, Betty Baxter, and Mark Norah, a program-defining coach in Deb Huband and a record-setting 2002-03 Thunderbirds Women's Soccer Team.
"Many people have seen the support that Santa offers at athletic events, but what most people don't see is his support behind the scenes. He goes above and beyond as a president, meeting with recruits directly and supporting coaches and always asking staff leads how he can help elevate the Thunderbirds brand on campus," said
Kavie Toor, Managing Director of Athletics and Recreation. "Santa has secured funding for important UBC Athletics initiatives and projects including: improving gender equity, increased student athlete supports, supporting capital projects and elevating the student fan experience at UBC. He is very deserving to go down in history as a member of UBC's Sports Hall of Fame."
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The honour was bestowed as President Ono attended his final Homecoming celebration before he leaves to take on a new post later this fall, as President of the University of Michigan.
The surprise announcement kicked off a fabulous Homecoming game where 7500 cheering fans filled the stands at UBC's largest school spirit event of the year. Prior to kickoff the MVP reception hosted 200 of the biggest Thunderbird supporters, providing a great opportunity to engage and meet with UBC Athletics alumni, donors and corporate partners. One of the corporate partners making a huge impact on athletics has been RBC Royal Bank, who were the presenting sponsor for 2022 Homecoming. RBC Regional Vice President for Vancouver, Teresa Perri and her RBC team were in attendance. Perri welcomed everyone to the field-side reception, which provided guests with front-row seats as the UBC Thunderbirds battled hard but ultimately lost to the Regina Rams 21-13.
The Thunderbirds family wishes Santa and his family all the best as they move on to their next chapter. We're grateful for his leadership, investment, enthusiasm and genuine commitment in supporting student-athletes and varsity programs while elevating Thunderbird pride over the last six years.
