From Olympic glory to grassroots greatness, the Class of 2025 heading into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame is a powerhouse lineup of champions, trailblazers and local legends.
The Hall announced its newest slate of inductees Wednesday, featuring five standout athletes, two sport builders and a longtime media figure.
“This year is the 31st induction ceremony and dinner for the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and this year’s inductees are great champions of their sports,” said Doug Jennings, president of the GVSHoF board.
Athletes entering the Hall include track star Dave Campbell, soccer veteran Jamie Lowery, Olympic mountain biker Catherine Pendrel, lacrosse mainstay Darren Reisig and triathlete Kirsten Sweetland.
In the builder category, multi-sport contributor George Morfitt and the long-running Operation Trackshoes program are being honoured. Longtime Times Colonist sportswriter Cleve Dheensaw rounds out the class as this year’s Sid Thomas Media Award recipient.
Dave Campbell rose from Mount Douglas Secondary to star with the UVic Vikes, specializing in the 1500m to 5000m. He represented Canada internationally for decades, earning bronze at the 1986 Commonwealth Games and gold at the 1989 Francophone Games. He was a three-time national 1500m champion (1986-88).
Jamie Lowery became a University of Victoria standout and captain, leading the Vikes to a national soccer title. He played for Canada at the 1984 Olympics and the 1986 FIFA World Cup, then won four Canadian Soccer League titles with the Vancouver 86ers. Lowery’s international career includes the Pan American and World Student Games.
Catherine Pendrel is one of Canada’s top mountain bikers. A four-time Olympian and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, her career highlights include three World Cup titles, gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and 2007 Pan Am Games gold. Despite serious injuries, Pendrel remained a top rider for over a decade and competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Victoria lacrosse legend Darren Reisig won multiple provincial and Mann Cup titles with the Victoria Shamrocks and earned 2002 NLL All-Star honours. He played for the Vancouver Ravens, San Jose Stealth, and Portland Timbers. Off the floor, Reisig now leads Claremont Secondary’s Lacrosse Academy.
Victoria’s Kirsten Sweetland made Canadian triathlon history in 2006 as the first woman to win the world junior title. Despite injuries, she earned silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, multiple World Cup podiums, and competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The class also includes two significant contributors off the playing surface.
Morfitt, a Hall of Fame squash player and decorated sport administrator, served in key leadership roles with the BC Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Olympic Association and Sport Canada. While Operation Trackshoes, which ran annually at UVic for more than 50 years, provided inclusive competition for athletes with developmental disabilities until its final event in 2023.
Finally, Cleve Dheensaw, a Vic High and UVic grad, has spent more than four decades covering local, national and international sports.
“The Greater Victoria community has a rich sporting history and so many outstanding athletes, coaches, officials and builders,” said Chris Graham, chair of the Hall’s induction nominations committee. “Each year, the Induction Nominations Committee has a difficult job to decide which names to put forward for induction to the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame.”
This year’s ceremony takes place Oct. 25. Inductees will also be featured on the permanent Hall of Fame display at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
