|
//DATE: April 9, 2007
//For Immediate Release
Clermont, Schmeichel Inducted to
University of Regina Sports Hall of Fame
REGINA, Sask. - The University of Regina will induct former
University of Regina Rams slotback Jason Clermont and former
Cougar wrestler Dean Schmeichel to its Sports Hall of Fame in a
ceremony on Thursday night.
Clermont was a member of the Rams from 1999 to 2001, while
Schmeichel was a Cougar grappler from 1993 through 1997.
"Dean and Jason established a benchmark of excellence for our
programs and induction into the University of Regina Sports Hall
of Fame is fitting to add to their many honours," U of R athletic
director Dick White said.
Clermont was a critical part of the Rams' meteoric introduction
to CIS football, helping the team to a Vanier Cup appearance in
2000, the team's second season at the university level. Despite
playing just three years in a Rams uniform, Clermont remains the
school's career leader in receiving yards, touchdown catches, and
touchdown scores and holds numerous single-season records.
Following his U of R career, Clermont was a first-round draft
pick of the B.C. Lions and went on to earn the 2002 CFL West
Outstanding Rookie award in his first season. Clermont has
appeared in two Grey Cups with the Lions, including a 25-14
victory in 2006 over Montreal. Clermont was named both the CFL
Most Outstanding Canadian and the Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian
following the 2004 season.
"Jason is clearly one of the great players to have played Rams
football," Rams head coach Frank McCrystal said. "He has the
respect of players, coaches, directors, and support staff as both
a leader and competitor. We are all extremely happy for his
on-field success, but more proud of the example he provides as a
citizen of his community and this country. He embodies the hope
we have for anyone involved in any capacity with the Regina Rams
program."
In his final season at the U of R, Schmeichel and the Cougar
men's wrestling team brought the school its first national
championship in any sport. Schmeichel's victory in the final
match of the 1997 national tournament against a Western Ontario
opponent clinched the team championship for Regina and a gold
medal in the 130-kilogram class.
Schmeichel's university career included a bronze medal in the
90-kilogram class in 1993 and a silver medal at 90 in 1996.
Following his CIAU career, Schmeichel went on to compile an
impressive international resume, highlighted by an appearance in
the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney. Schmeichel retired from
the national team in 2005 with 15 international medals -
including a gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games - and 11
national championships.
"Dean was an unconventional heavyweight in that he competed like
a middleweight," Cougars head coach Leo McGee said. "He brought
mobility, positioning, and skills to the weight class that were
unmatched domestically. Dean's greatest asset was a sensational
appetite to win."
Clermont and Schmeichel become the 10th and 11th inductees to the
athletes category of the University of Regina Sports Hall of
Fame. Clermont is the first football player to be inducted, while
Schmeichel joins fellow wrestlers Jim Burnett and Bob McDougall
in the Hall.
The induction ceremony will take place as part of the U of R's
32nd Annual Athletic Awards Night on Thursday at the University
Theatre.
University of Regina Sports Hall of Fame: Athletes Category
Chris Biegler, inducted 1995 (men's basketball)
Jackie Moore, inducted 1997 (women's basketball)
Rod Houk, inducted 2000 (men's hockey)
Deanne Shmyr, inducted 2000 (women's basketball)
Kerri Buchberger, inducted 2002 (women's volleyball)
Jim Burnett, inducted 2003 (men's wrestling)
Kevin Gilroy, inducted 2004 (men's basketball)
Trena Doyle, inducted 2005 (women's basketball)
Bob McDougall, inducted 2005 (men's wrestling)
Jason Clermont, inducted 2007 (football)
Dean Schmeichel, inducted 2007 (men's wrestling)
Braden Konschuh
Sports Information Coordinator
University of Regina
3737 Wascana Parkway
Regina, SK S4S 0A2
Phone: (306) 585-5199
Fax: (306) 585-5693
braden.konschuh@uregina.ca
http://www.uregina.ca/cougars/
TOP OF PAGE
|
