2010 Wall of Fame Inductees

On October 12, 2010 Derek Nicoll, Ryan Pomeroy and Harry Stevens were inducted into the Wolves Athletics Wall of Fame and recognized at the Wall of Fame Ceremony.

(top left) Ron Thompson presenting to Derek Nicoll (top right) Hugh Bartlett presenting to Ryan Pomeroy (bottom) Leigh Goldie presenting to Harry Stevens

To view more pictures of the Wall of Fame Inductees Ceremony view here...

Inductees to GPRC Wolves Athletics Wall of Fame

Three new portraits and bios will be added to the GPRC Wolves Athletics Wall of Fame during Homecoming 2010.  The Wolves Wall of Fame recognizes both athletes who have excelled in sport and personal leadership, and those “builders” who have made an outstanding contribution through coaching, administration, management or Booster Club involvement.

The inductees who will be honoured this year are players Derek Nicoll and Ryan Pomeroy, both alumni of Wolves Volleyball, and recently retired coach, instructor and administrator Harry Stevens.

Harry Stevens retired from a career of over 30 years at GPRC.  His involvement included everything from coaching to chairing the department, and his accomplishments include founding the Wolf Pac Booster Club, the Minor Basketball Program, and the first Multi-Sport Development centre in Alberta. 

“Harry has provided outstanding leadership to the Wolves Program in all his roles,” says Leigh Goldie, Chair of Physical Education, Athletics and Kinesiology (PEAK.)  “His passion and dedication have resulted in the successes Wolves Athletics has experienced over the years.”

Both Derek Nicoll and Ryan Pomeroy have had very successful careers with the Wolves and beyond.  Nicoll was an ACAC All Star three times, and an All Canadian while he was with the Wolves.  He then continued to enjoy success with the University of Alberta Golden Bears, winning a CIS National Championship.

Pomeroy was part of the Wolves Volleyball success while they captured one CCAA Bronze medal and two CCAA Silver medals.   He also had stellar careers with the University of Manitoba, the Canadian Junior National Team, and professional teams in Europe.

“We are very proud of the accomplishments that Derek and Ryan have achieved both on and off the field of play,” says Leigh Goldie.  “It will be a pleasure to recognize them for these successes.”

“It is our great honour to have these three individuals as part of the proud history of Grande Prairie Regional College,” says Don Gnatiuk, President and CEO.  “Our Wolves athletes such as Derek Nicoll and Ryan Pomeroy have regularly brought our College recognition across the country and beyond, and we know them to be great ambassadors for GPRC.  Harry Stevens has left a legacy of enthusiasm for “healthy minds in healthy bodies” that will endure in both academic programs and community programs at the College for years to come.  We are very pleased to induct them to the Wolves Athletics Wall of Fame.”  

The induction ceremony for Builder Harry Stevens and Athletes Derek Nicoll and Ryan Pomeroy will take place on Thursday, October 21 at the College.  The program includes dinner and the induction ceremony.  Everyone is welcome to attend; tickets are $30 each and can be purchased online and from the PEAK Department.

For more information please contact:

Francois Fournier
Athletics Director
Grande Prairie Regional College
ffournier@gprc.ab.ca
780-539-2230

OR

Leigh Goldie
Chair, Physical Education, Athletics and Kinesiology
Grande Prairie Regional College
lgoldie@gprc.ab.ca
780-539-2978

2010 Wall of Fame Inductees

Harry Stevens - Builder

Coach, Instructor, Administrator

Harry has had a significant impact on the growth and development of the Wolves Athletics program. During his tenure with the department of Physical Education, Athletics and Kinesiology he has guided the program to be recognized provincially, nationally and internationally.

Since arriving at Grande Prairie Regional College in 1980, Harry has taken on numerous roles within the department such as instructor, coach, Athletic Director and Chair. His impact did not end there as he was instrumental in founding a number of programs including the first Multi Sport Development Centre in Alberta, the Wolf Pac Booster Club, and the Wolf Pac Booster Club Endowment Fund.

One of the most noticeable areas of Harry’s impact was his dedication to the student-athlete.  He would never compromise the student-athlete in their pursuit of excellence in athletics and academics. His desire was for each student-athlete to achieve, or perhaps, surpass their potential as players and persons.

Harry represented GPRC at ACAC meetings for over 20 years. This included work on a number of committees and being the Women’s Volleyball Convenor. In addition, he was the Marketing Director for the CCAA Badminton National Championships and the Technical Coordinator for the Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Championships hosted by GPRC.

Harry made a major contribution as GPRC hosted a string of CCAA National Championships that received “Best Ever” status setting new standards of hosting in Canada. Otherareas of note include his work with the Mini-Basketball Program, the introduction of Soccer into the Wolves program and initiating GPRC’s Fitness Leadership Program.

It is this leadership that has made GPRC Wolves Athletics one of the best Athletic Programs in the nation.

Derek Nicoll - Player

Men's Volleyball

Derek played with the Wolves Volleyball Program from 1993 to 1996. During that period of time he achieved many successes. These included being named Captain all 3 years, named an ACAC All Star all 3 years, ACAC Conference Champions in 1993, and being named CCAA All Canadian in 1996.

His success did not end there. He played with the University of Alberta Golden Bears Volleyball Program from 1996 to 1998. In that time he was named CIS Tournament All Canadian in 1998 the year he Co-Captained the team. The Golden Bears also won the CIS National Championship in 1997 and the CIS Bronze Medal in 1998.

It has been stated that Derek changed the way volleyball was played due to his tenacity on the court. Not a tall player, he played tall. He was a force on the court and one that could not be underestimated. He paved the way for other players to take on roles not normally seen by players of that stature.

The volleyball career of Derek Nicoll did not end with playing. During his playing career Derek coached with Volleyball Club program and carried on coaching after his playing days were done. He has coached with the NAIT Volleyball Program and the University of Alberta Golden Bears and the Harry Ainlay High School Boys Program.

Ryan Pomeroy - Player

Men's Volleyball

Ryan has had an exceptional volleyball career that includes playing with Canada’s National Program and playing professionally in Europe. He played with the GPRC Wolves Volleyball Program from 1997 to 2000. During that time, the Wolves Volleyball Team experienced their most successful medal run. The medals included 1 ACAC Bronze Medal, 2 ACAC Silver Medals, 1 CCAA Bronze Medal and 2 CCAA Silver Medals. These came as the College hosted the most successful back to back to back CCAA Men’s Volleyball Nationals. Ryan was also named an ACAC All Star in 2 of his seasons.

Following his stellar career with the Wolves Ryan moved on to the University of Manitoba Bison’s. During his time with the Bison’s he was named first team All Canadian and won the CIS National Championship.

His success with college and university volleyball carried over to his time with Canada’s National Volleyball Program. Ryan was a part of the team that won Canada’s first ever NORCECA Zone Championships and then placed 5th at the World Championships.

As he was not yet done playing the game, Ryan moved to Europe where he played professionally for 3 seasons. He played with teams in Germany, United Arab Emirates, and Portugal. Since his return home to Grande Prairie he has been active playing Senior Men’s Volleyball and running Volleyball Camps.