Sports hall adds four

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

The Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame added four new members including (l to r) 2004 Kelowna Rockets (Gavin Hamilton), Glen Mervyn (Christina Mervyn), Gillian Thomson and Brenda and Mike Van Tighem

The Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame officially welcomed four new members at its 2014 induction breakfast Thursday at the Coast Capri Hotel.

Added to the hall were the late Glen Mervyn (athlete), Gillian Thomson (builder) and Mike and Brenda Van Tighem (builder) and the 2004 Memorial Cup champion Kelowna Rockets (team).

Glen Mervyn - Rowing

Glen won the silver medal at the 1960 Olympic Summer Games in Rome in the men's 8 rowing event. He coached the men's pairs rowing team to a gold medal at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. At age 50, he became a national and world cycling champion in his age category. 

Glen's widow Christina accepted the induction in his honour.

Gillian Thomson - Sailing

While winning gold and silver medals at the Hobie 18 World Championships and Pan American Games, Gillian was also involved in growing the sport of sailing here in Kelowna. She's garnered provincial, national and international recognition for her Learn to Sail and Disabled Sailing programs.

Mike and Brenda Van Tighem - Track and Field

They could be called Mr. and Mrs. track and field in Kelowna. They helped form the Kelowna Track and Field Club, built the Jack Brow Track meet into a premier event in Western Canada and coached several athletes to success on the track including an Olympic berth, a world championship and a Junior Pan American Games champion.

Kelowna Rockets - Hockey

After losing in the 2003 Memorial Cup in Quebec, the '04 Rockets rebounded to win the trophy on home ice in 2004. The WHL regular season champions went undefeated in the 2004 Memorial Cup, beating Gatineau 2-1 in the title game at Prospera Place as Justin Keller scored the game winning goal.

Thursday's induction brings the number of athletes, teams and builders inducted into the hall over the last seven years to 28.