It’s Hall of Fame week for the Niagara College Knights, as Tuesday, April 7th saw the announcement of the OCAA Hall of Fame Class of 2015, while Friday, April 10th will see the NC department of Athletics and Recreation induct six new members in to the Knights Hall of Fame.
The OCAA Class of 2015 will see 35 former student-athletes inducted into the conference Hall of Fame including three of Niagara College’s most decorated intercollegiate alumni in Eliran Kikos (Men’s Basketball), Heidi Bench (Women’s Volleyball), and Carrie Stratford-Collver (Women’s Basketball).
The Niagara College Knights Hall of Fame will formally welcome Class of 2015 members Maxime Barre (Golf), Kaitlyn McKenna (Basketball), Diane Vanden Hoven-King (Volleyball), John Clark (Builder), the 1969 Women’s Basketball Team, and the 1970 Women’s Basketball/Volleyball Team.
“This is a fantastic week for over 35 of our most decorated former student-athletes” said Niagara College acting vice-president of student affairs Rick Anderson. “These teams and individuals dedicated themselves to representing Niagara College at the highest level, and being inducted into a Hall of Fame gives these alumni the recognition they truly deserve. Congratulations to all members of the Niagara Knights and OCAA Hall of Fame Class of 2015.”
The Knights Class of 2015 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at the 46th Annual Athletics Awards banquet being held on Friday April 10th at 6:00pm at the Riverstone Event Centre. While the OCAA Class of 2015 will be honoured on Wednesday, April 29th at 7:00pm at the Oakville Conference Centre.
Brief bios of each of the 2015 Hall of Fame inductees can be found below. For more information about the OCAA or Knights Hall of Fame Class of 2015 please contact Mike Puillandre at mpuillandre@niagaracollege.ca or call 905-735-2211 ex: 7681.
Eliran Kikos competed for the Niagara College men’s basketball program from 2001-2004. A graduate of Niagara College’s Electrical Engineering Technology program, the former guard’s accolades include the Niagara College Athlete of the Year award, a three time OCAA all-star, and twice winning the prestigious academic All-Canadian award. Kikos was inducted into the Niagara College Knights Hall of Fame in 2008.
St. Catharines native Heidi Bench competed as a standout member of the Niagara College women’s volleyball program from 2005-2007. The talented outside hitter enjoyed two of the best individual women’s volleyball seasons in Knights history. She is a two-time recipient of; the Niagara College Athlete of the Year Awards, the OCAA West Region scoring title, an OCAA first team all-star, and the academic all-Canadian award. Bench is a graduate of the Niagara College environmental technician program and was elected into the Niagara College Knights Hall of fame in 2013.
Delhi’s Carrie Stratford-Collver enjoyed an outstanding career with 500 total points and helped lead the team to an OCAA silver medal in 2003. During her three seasons with the program she was awarded the Niagara College rookie of the year award, was selected as an OCAA all-star, was an Academic All-Canadian recipient, and was named a three time OCAA All-Academic. She was inducted into the Knights Hall of Fame in 2013 is a graduate of the Niagara College general arts and sciences program.
The Niagara Knights Hall of Fame Class of 2015 marks the first time that historic Knights’ teams will be inducted. The 1969 women’s basketball and 1970 women’s basketball/volleyball teams will be first team inductees to be honoured. These teams captured Niagara College’s first three OCAA Championships, despite the Knights intercollegiate program being in its infancy.
In the builder category long time Knights supporter John Clark, the owner/operator of Welland’s MT Bellies Restaurant and River Stone Event Centre will be honoured. Clark has been one of the Niagara College Knights biggest supporters for over 17 years, and is considered a close friend to the entire department of athletics and recreation.
St. Catharines native Kaitlyn McKenna, one of Niagara College most decorated student athletes will be entered into the Hall of Fame. McKenna won virtually every accolade possible during her historic five year career with the team. She was named an All-Canadian, an Academic All-Canadian, a five time OCAA all-star, OCAA rookie of the year, a four time team MVP, and a two-time Niagara College Athlete of the Year. McKenna graduated from the Niagara College Business Accounting and General Arts and Science Programs.
Maxime Barre joined the Niagara College golf team at a time when the program was struggling to compete in the OCAA. In the three years he was with the Knights, the program quickly rose to OCAA and CCAA prominence winning two OCAA silver and one OCAA Bronze medals in three years. His individual awards include an OCAA individual bronze medal and a CCAA individual silver medal. He was also named a two-time team MVP and was named an OCAA All-Star. Maxime graduated from the Niagara College professional golf management program in 2003.
Diane Vanden Hoven-King helped build the Niagara College women’s volleyball program into a provincial and national contender. Her individual accolades include a scoring title, two OCAA All-Star selections, the Niagara Knights Athlete of Distinction and Award of Excellence, and twice being named Niagara College Athlete of the Year. Diane Vanden Hoven-King graduated from the Social Service Worker program in 2000 and the Event Management program in 2001.
