Delta Sport Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced

The Delta Sports of Hall of Fame officially launched 12 years ago having a mandate  set to celebrate Delta sport achievement, recognize excellence and honor past, present and future role models.

This year the Induction ceremonies will take place October 21st at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn and welcome seven (7) new inductees class that will be honoured and recognized at a banquet.

The evening celebration will also include the Sports Champions that highlight team as well as individual achievements over the past 12 months.

Tickets are $75 and can be purchased until Oct. 14 by calling Rick or Carlene at 604-943-0469.

Introducing the 2017 Delta Sports Hall of Fame Inductees

Builder Category   Jamie Davidson (Cycling)

The Tour de Delta has become not only Delta’s community event, but also one for the Lower Mainland that officially kick-starts B.C.’s Superweek of professional cycling.

The initial idea came from now retired Delta Councillor Guy Gentner who had a vision, but it was Davidson who is credited with the initial vision, insight, expertise, passion and hours of time given to build the Tour de Delta into the international community.

He (Davidson) was recruited in 2000 to join the inaugural Board of Directors where his technical knowledge was critical to create a world class race that allowed Delta to draw National and International athletes to the Tour de Delta.

Pioneer Category    Herb Betts (Soccer)

Years back Delta had fields that were just fields; which proved hard for youngsters to play soccer and enjoy it.

Betts along with a group of volunteers started the Delta Juvenile Soccer Club in 1961 and were based out of Ladner and later helped launched the North Delta Soccer Club (NDSC) where he served as a director and executive for several years.

He knew that the fields needed to be properly lighted as well as possibly have an all-purpose field that was opened in 1970.

It is located adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club field (North Delta Park) and was the first lit all-weather field in not only Delta but also the Lower Mainland.

He sadly passed away in 2006 and it’s clear that he understood what dedication and commitment in the community truly means.

Athlete    Tim Lorenz (football/hockey)

He calls Ladner home and was a true multi-sport athlete that saw his hockey career see him play in the Western Hockey League winning a Memorial Cup in 1983 with the Portland Winterhawks and drafted in the fourth (4th) round by the Vancouver Canucks.

He was offered a football scholarship to the University of Hawaii that saw him play two seasons at outside linebacker before transferring to California-Santa Barbara where he moved to defensive end.

He was selected by Hamilton in the 1988 CFL Draft in the second (2nd) round and played four seasons for the Tiger-Cats finishing with the BC Lions.

In 1989 when he recorded 18 tackles and 6 sack helping Hamilton reach the Grey Cup game against Saskatchewan.

Athlete     Sandy (Green) Beasley (Softball)

She played for North Delta Softball and was known as an outstanding Pitcher/Utility player earning a scholarship to Stephen F. Austin University in Texas.

She was a perennial all-conference player and was inducted into the university’s hall of fame in 2000.

She played at the 1987 Junior Worlds and later with the senior team that placed fifth (5th) at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Coach     Ron Steel (Soccer)

He helped with the formation with the Ladner Girls Soccer Club and along with Art Lowery they launched the “Beatty Babes”,  BC’s first girls’ soccer team.

He was the Vice-Chair of the Fraser Valley South Girls Soccer Association, but later returned to coaching “the Babes” and recruited a technical coach to push the girls that saw them win the Provincial Cup in 1977.

Team     North Delta Stars (Softball)

The Stars won four provincial titles under Co-Coaches Jim Biggan and John Donaldson, and were runners-up in 1986, 1988 and 1989 at nationals.

They were also the Western Canadian champs in 1984 that saw three players play for the junior National team, with two playing for the National Senior team.

The core of this team also played soccer as the Sur-Del Cyclones that won Provincial Cups as well as a National title.

Sponsor     The Run Inn

Kevin Ridley and The Run Inn have been a part of supporting sport in Delta since 2002 that saw the store’s original fundraiser began over 20 years ago in memory of three of its run group members.

They have raised over $100,000 in support of the BC Cancer Foundation and are the lead sponsor for the Point Roberts Jog for a Jug where they have raised money for both Hannah’s Heroes.

The also are huge supporters of other running events that include the Delta Triathlon, Delta Half Marathon and Boundary Bay Cross-Country Meet.

Congratulations to all the Inductees from Sportswave