Sault College Celebrates First Hall of Fame Class

Sault College Athletics made history last night by hosting its first-ever Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, honouring 31 individuals and teams whose achievements have shaped Cougar sports over the decades.

The evening recognized standout athletes from across eras, including Allan Daschuk, who captured OCAA gold in judo in 1973; basketball star Dan Jodoin, the OCAA Division 2 all-time leading scorer; and Ryan Vendramin, a two-sport standout in hockey and golf who led the Cougars to a national championship and became the first athlete in program history to have his jersey retired.

Other inductees included multi-sport athlete Aislyn Ireton, decorated curlers Mark Dugas, Josh Vanderburg and Matt Mann, basketball talent Randy Frimpong, and cross-country runner Anna Greve.

Coaches were also honoured, with Vice President of Academics, Innovation and Student Services, Sherri Smith being recognized for elevating cross-country between 2012 and 2017, as well as Carl Punkari, Dan Lemieux and Rejeanne MacLeod were celebrated for their long-standing leadership in curling.

In addition, several championship teams earned Hall of Fame status, including the 2018–19 Men's Hockey team, which became the first Sault College program to capture a national title, winning the ACHA Division III Championship. The team was coached by Mike Hall who also received individual honours. Curling was also heavily represented, with eight medal-winning squads from 1991 through 2018 inducted.

Director of Athletics and Student Engagement, Paul Orazietti, said the ceremony was a tribute to the College's rich sporting tradition. "As you look around the gym and see all the banners hanging, every one of them has a story to tell — of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Those memories remain long after you left the College. We are happy to share those with you tonight in person."

The Hall of Fame will serve as a permanent recognition of Cougar athletes, coaches, and teams whose legacies continue to inspire the next generation.