UBC Athletics is proud to announce the 2025 Class of Inductees into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. This year's distinguished honourees include an exceptional athlete, a dominant team and two remarkable builders – each of whom exemplifies the values of excellence, leadership and commitment to their sport both at UBC and beyond.
 
The UBC Athletics Hall of Fame serves as a testament to the university's storied athletic tradition. Each inductee has been chosen not only for their individual success but for the profound impact they have had on their sport and the UBC community as a whole. As part of Canada's most decorated varsity athletics program, this year's inductees join a prestigious group of alumni who have helped shape the legacy of Thunderbird athletics.
 
The upcoming Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will offer a chance to reflect on the significant contributions of the inductees and celebrate their lasting impact on Thunderbird sports. 
 
ATHLETE
 
DEREK SANKEY 


 
Derek Sankey is one of UBC Men's Basketball's most decorated athletes. Derek suited up for the Thunderbirds between 1967-71 and during that time he helped lead UBC to a junior varsity national title and the university's first-ever men's basketball CIAU (now U SPORTS) National Championship. In the 1969-70 season the team beat McMaster University to take the championship with a definitive score of 96-75. In that tournament, Derek was selected to as a tournament first-team all star. That same year Derek was also named as a CIAU All Canadian.
 
Derek's basketball success went beyond just his university career. While at UBC he also represented the Canadian National Team and the World Student Games team. He played for the Canadian National Team from 1970-76, representing Canada at the 1975 Pan Am Games and at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He is the only UBC Men's Basketball player to have played on that Olympic Team, which placed 4^th. 
 
For his accomplishments as an athlete, Derek was inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994, and the Basketball BC Hall of Fame. To this day, Derek continues to stay connected to the Thunderbirds program and acts as a great ambassador for UBC and UBC Men's Basketball.
 
TEAM

2003-04 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
 

 
The 2003-04 UBC women's basketball team made provincial sport history when they defeated the Regina Cougars in the Canadian University National Women's Basketball Championship Final. The 60-53 win ended a 30-year drought for UBC in the national championships. Head Coach Deb Huband guided the T-Birds to a 16-4 record in the Canada West conference that year, and she was named Canada West Coach of the Year. 2003-04 also marked a breakthrough season for team leader Carrie Watson. In addition to All-Canadian honours, Watson also won the Canada West and Canadian Interuniversity Sport Defensive Player of the Year Awards, and she would go on to be named the National Championship MVP. This winning team included a trio of rookie sensations – Cait Haggarty, Erica McGuinness and Julie Little, who would make indelible marks during their time as Thunderbirds as members of three national championship teams. It must be emphasized, however, that every player on the roster contributed meaningfully to the team's storied success. 
 
Team: Letah (Beck) Addison, Amanda Beers, Emily Beers, Kelsey Blair, Jessie (Evans) Deutsch, Caroline Horsley, Julie Little, Tina Lum, Erica McGuinness, Jane Meadwell, Caitlyn Pankratz, Kim (Howe) Pasquali, Sheila Townsend, Cait Haggarty, Carrie (Watson) Watts 
Coaches/Staff: Deb Huband (Coach), Jim Day (Assistant Coach), Amy Jonker (Assistant Coach), Carmen Bott (SC Coach), Chris Napier (Trainer)
 
BUILDERS

MAREK JEDRZEJEK
 

 
Marek Jedrzejek began his UBC tenure back in 1987, first as head coach of the cross country team and then adding head coach of the track & field squad to his portfolio in 2001. Over his 28 years as head coach he developed both programs into perennial top 10 teams in the NAIA. In cross country the UBC women won their second straight NAIA Women's Cross Country Championship in 2013, while the men finished in eighth place. At the 2014 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the Thunderbirds combined for 12 medals (5 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze). The women finished third overall, their best finish ever at the time, while the men finished in fifth place. 
 
Marek is a two-time NAIA women's cross country coach of the year (2012 & 2013). In addition to their more recent NAIA success, he led the 'Birds to a CIS title in cross country in 1993 when he was named Coach of the Year. 
 
Marek has been involved at every level of international competition, coaching at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, and acting as Canadian Head Coach at six Cross Country World Championships and three FISU Games. His athletes have had success at the highest levels, winning medals at FISU, Commonwealth, and Pan-Am Games throughout his career.  He has coached athletes to nine Canadian records, including Jeff Schiebler who still holds two Canadians records in the 5000 m and 10000 m and Liz Gleadle who owns the women's javelin mark. His athletes have won 33 national titles and he has coached 18 BC high school champions.
 
RICK O'CONNOR


 
Rick O'Connor has been the catalyst behind the creation and building of the UBC Softball program. O'Connor got his start with Softball BC in 1986, coaching his eldest son through Maple Ridge and Kamloops Leagues. He would then go on to coach the White Rock Renegades during the 90's and 2000's. 
 
Rick saw that softball players were leaving to play in the USA college system and he identified the need for a team at UBC, giving Canadian players the chance to stay and compete closer to home. He was approached by UBC Athletic Director, Bob Philip, about creating a team and Rick committed to leading the effort. He spearheaded fundraising and lobbying to ensure the program could be established, and he helped recruit coach Phil Thom. In 2008 the UBC Women's Softball Team was officially born.
 
Rick was instrumental in securing funding and supporting softball student athletes with scholarship money by championing events like the Scholarship Breakfast. He tirelessly organized golf tournaments and pub nights to help fundraise for Nobel Park, which became the first home on campus for UBC Softball. 
 
In 2013, when UBC Athletics underwent a challenging time with a department-wide sport review. Softball was one of the sports on the chopping block until Rick stepped up and provided the financial support needed to save the team and keep the program running. Afterwards Rick continued to support and helped Coach Gord Collings with ongoing fundraising efforts. His persistency and hard work were instrumental in making sure the UBC Softball program was here to stay.