By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame reveals 2017 inductees

Feb 21, 2017 | 4:15 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Some big names in the local sporting community have been recognized, as the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame revealed their inductees for 2017.

Mike Mezei (Golf) and Stacy Roest (Hockey) enter as athletes, Morgan Munroe (Multi-sport) will go in as a builder, and the 1985 Lethbridge Senior Little League baseball team is being recognized in the team category. They also named Knud Petersen (Multi-sport) as a special inductee, and Ashley Stacey and Zack McAllister as the Kinsmen Sports Persons of the Year for their participation in the Rio Olympics and Paralympics, respectively.

Hall chair-person, Rob Kossuth, noted that every year members of the community submit their nominations for inclusion, to help recognize athletes, along with the individuals who help them achieve their goals.

“I think people will be surprised that a smaller city like ours — compared to some of the big centres — are producing and have a history of sport that can be held up and seen as being as impressive as anywhere else,” stated Kossuth.

“I think when we can look up to certain individuals and certain groups and see what they’re doing, that inspires us to continue on with what we’re doing,” he added.

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Kossuth also took some time to single out Petersen, who has been a coach, official, administrator, founder and fundraiser for various local sporting organizations — dating back to 1983.

When asked how he has managed to dedicate so much of his life to helping others with athletics, Petersen chuckled and said it all started with his kids.

“In my farming days, I had very little involvement for me in sports, just didn’t find the time, but somehow when the kids got old enough to participate I found the time to do it,” Petersen explained. “I saw the fruits of kids being involved in sports and that’s my biggest motivator.

“It comes from the old saying, ‘Healthy bodies, healthy minds’… You look at university sports and college sports, and there’s some outstanding students among the athletes, not just a bunch of jocks out there.”

As part of the announcement, it was also revealed that Lethbridge College will be the theme for the 2017 Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet, which is set for May 6 at the ENMAX Centre.