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 (click to enlarge) Wrestler Gary Kallos, skier Julie Klotz and builder Peter Regimbald Photo by Harold Rosenberg |
A number of outstanding athletes and builders of the university’s athletic tradition were honoured April 25 at a banquet at Molson-O’Keefe Breweries. Wrestler Gary Kallos (BSc 80) was one of the fiercest talents ever to represent Concordia in his sport. He competed in the 95-plus-kilo weight class at the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union championships, winning a gold medal in 1978 and again in 1984. He was the Canadian freestyle champion from 1979 to 1981, and a Greco-Roman champion from 1979 to 1983. He represented Canada at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, finishing in 10th place. Gary won three bronze medals at the U.S. Greco-Roman championships, and a total of five gold medals and a silver at the Maccabiah Games (1977, 1981 and 1985). He returned to the Games in Israel as the Team Canada coach in 1993 and 1997. Gary’s passion for wrestling also extended to a style of the sport called Sambo. In 1988, Gary was the chair of the organizing committee for the 12th annual Sambo world championships, held in Montreal. He won a gold medal competing in Sambo wrestling at the Pan-American Games in 1983. Skier Julie Klotz (BSc 93) is a former Olympian and Canadian slalom champion, who performed with skill and poise. She represented Concordia from 1990 to 1993, winning two overall Quebec Student Sport Federation women’s titles. Her first championship came in 1990, and two years later, she was back on top, winning an impressive five gold medals and a silver in 10 slalom and giant slalom races. In 1991, she finished second on the women’s circuit. Her efforts helped the Concordia women’s ski team win Quebec titles in 1990 and 1991. In 1993, Julie won the Denise Beaudet Award, given to the best Concordia athlete in academics, athletics and community involvement. She was women’s rookie of the year in 1990 and won MVP awards in 1991 and 1992. Her experience and leadership helped take the Concordia ski team to the top. Builder Peter E. Regimbald (L BA 73) has been devoted to helping young men and the football program at the university for more than 30 years. He began as an assistant coach with the Loyola Warriors in 1968, and stayed on with the Concordia Stingers. A protegé of the legendary coach George Dixon, he is best known as an authority on special teams play. Pete’s expertise is credited with helping Concordia to its 1998 record-setting campaign. The Stingers finished in first place in the regular season, won the Dunsmore Cup as the Ontario-Quebec champions, and went on to win the Atlantic Bowl, the university’s first-ever victory in a bowl game. His commitment was rewarded in 1996 with the Gino Fracas Award as Volunteer Coach of the Year in Canadian university football. Pete also works at Concordia as an assistant registrar. The 1967-68 Loyola College Warriors Men’s Hockey Team is best described as spirited, skilled and masterful. Under the direction of rookie head coach Dave Draper, this fun-loving group was the first Loyola Warrior hockey team to reach the national championships. The team finished the season with 15-1 loss record — the best in the country, and better than 38 other schools. The Warriors defeated their archrivals, the Sir George Williams Georgians, in the playoffs, winning the Ottawa-St. Lawrence chempionship. Then it was on the nationals, where the team drew the Toronto Varsity Blues in the first game. The Blues were considered the best team in the nation, and were the two-time defending university champions. Cast in the role of underdog, Loyola was afforded no respect and no chance to win, but Draper and Warriors were giant-slayers. A goal by Mike Griffiths in double overtime gave Loyola a 1-0 victory and a berth in the gold medal game. Unfortunately, the Alberta Golden Bears scored with 17 seconds left to play, skating away with a 5-4 victory and the gold medal. But this loss couldn’t wipe out a magical season. |