The BC Sports Hall of Fame will hold their annual Induction Gala on Wednesday night at the Vancouver Convention Centre, and two familar faces from Vancouver Whitecaps FC will be among those honoured in the Class of 2021.
Dale Mitchell played with the Vancouver Whitecaps during the early NASL days from 1977 to 1978. He then returned to play with Vancouver 86ers from 1988 to 1990, and again in 1992. He remains fifth all-time in goals scored for the club. Mitchell then went on to coach, first with the 86ers, and then as head coach of the Whitecaps from 2000 to 2001.
Internationally, Mitchell is tied for fourth all-time in scoring for Canada's men's national team, and coached the senior squad from 2007 to 2009.
Inducted as builder, Dr. David Cox is renowned as one of the top sports psychologists in Canada and continues to work with Vancouver Whitecaps FC today. Over his internationally recognized career spanning over four decades, Dr. Cox has worked with not only Whitecaps FC, but also the Vancouver Canucks, Tennis Canada, Canada Basketball, Canada Soccer, Skate Canada, Rugby Canada, Canada Softball, the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canada Snowboard, Canadian Curling Association, and Simon Fraser University, among others.
His work has helped countless Canadian athletes prepare, compete, and win at the highest levels of professional and international competition.
The complete 2021 Induction Class being welcomed into the Hall of Champions includes:
Athletes
- Jason Delesalle – Para Athletics
- Gerry Gilmore – Field Hockey/Basketball/Softball
- Dale Mitchell – Soccer
- Gino Odjick – Ice Hockey
- Eli Pasquale – Basketball
Builders-Coaches
- Judy Broom – Field Hockey
- David Cox – Sport Psychology
- Kelly Mann – Multi-Sport
Team
- 1961-62 Vancouver Firefighters Men’s Soccer
Team Members: Eddie Bak, Art Bennett, Jim Blundell, Ernie Durante, Doug Greig, Art Hughes, Daryl Hughes (manager), Dave Hutton, Gordie Ion, Jim McGuckin (trainer), Bob McKay, Terry McKibbon, Norm McLeod, Bob Mills, Al Lenfesty, Gordy Nordby, Ken Pears, Dave Sullivan (coach), Gary Stevens, Louis Trischuk, Bud Walton.
Pioneer
- Gene Kiniski – Wrestling
Media
- Karin Larsen
W.A.C. Bennett Award
- Ron Jones
Since 1966, the BC Sports Hall of Fame has inducted 416 individuals and 64 teams to its Hall of Champions, ensuring their legacies will continue to inspire future generations.
About the BC Sports Hall of Fame:
The BC Sports Hall of Fame celebrates extraordinary achievement in B.C. sport history and inspires future generations to make their dreams come true. As a non-profit charitable organization, the Hall curates an astounding collection of 27,000 heritage artifacts and 100,000 archival documents representing 150-years of sport history in British Columbia. Through Hero in You Youth Education Programs, the BC Sports Hall of Fame reaches over 6,500 young learners each year across the province, advancing a mission of building outstanding community legacies by honouring the past and inspiring the future.
For more information, please visit bcsportshall.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram @bcsportshall.
