PRINCE GEORGE – It started with the UNBC Timberwolves teasing on their social media pages.
On Tuesday (Feb. 16), UNBC Athletics announced the creation of the Timberwolves Wall of Honour (WOH), celebrating the greatest Timberwolves to ever dawn the Green and Gold.
“Over 23 years of University of Northern British Columbia athletics, there has been no shortage of incredible student-athletes who have left a remarkable impact and legacy in their wake,” read a release issued by the Athletic Department on the announcement.
“The Timberwolves have been around for more than two decades, beginning in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association and moving to the Canada West conference and U SPORTS level of university competition,” said UNBC Director of Athletics and Recreation, Loralyn Murdoch. “The time felt right to create a Wall of Honour to begin to really celebrate those extraordinary individuals who helped build this program into what it is.”
The Wall of Honour will be located in two locations. Physically, it will be located at the Northern Sport Centre (NSC), right along the wall that has seen a new fresh splash of paint.
The Wall of Honour will also be made available in a digital format on the UNBC website, with extensive biographies of all inductees.
“The Timberwolves are synonymous with UNBC and in recognizing these outstanding players, we also recognize them as outstanding people,” said UNBC Interim President, Geoff Payne. “These athletes came as players and emerged as leaders, both on and off the court. These UNBC Timberwolves that we are celebrating are truly outstanding ambassadors for their team, UNBC, their community and themselves and we could not be prouder”
The inaugural class of 2021 is comprised of 15 members. In subsequent years, smaller classes of inductees will be honoured.
“To go back over two decades, with multiple teams in multiple leagues, and narrow it down to 15 inductees was not easy. There have been so many incredible Timberwolves,” said Murdoch. “We wanted to start with a class that told a big part of our story as a department, and celebrate them individually.”
Murdoch points to the WOH as an exciting step forward in honouring TWolves alumni, while also giving current and future UNBC student-athletes a tremendous example.
“Whether you’re at the NSC, using the facility as a young child, or someone who has lived in this community for 50 years, we hope you stop and enjoy the wall,” Murdoch said. “We hope that encourages those individuals to visit our website and read further. Plus, what an excellent way to display to our current and future Timberwolves what a storied history we have.”
To be eligible for the Wall of Honour, student-athletes must be at least one year removed from their final year of competition in Canada West.
The Timberwolves will release inductees one by one over the coming weeks, before unveiling the wall when the inaugural class is completely announced.
