Two champion wrestlers, two revered coaches no longer with us and two championship-calibre teams make up the 2023 U-Sask Athletic Wall of Fame Induction Class.
The wrestlers are Jillian Gallays and Jeff Adamson, both U Sports gold medallists during their time with the Huskies, to be inducted in the athlete category. Going in as builders, posthumously, are Bill Seymour from men’s hockey and Guy Vetrie from men’s basketball. Plus, the 1998 Vanier Cup-champion Saskatchewan Huskies football team and the 2004 U Sports titleists in men’s volleyball from U-Sask will go onto the Athletic Wall-of-Fame in the team category. The induction ceremony takes place September 9. Following is the official news release from Huskie Athletics…..
June 19, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2023 University of Saskatchewan Athletic Wall of Fame Induction Class
SASKATOON – Huskie Athletics is proud to announce the induction of two athletes, two builders and two teams into the University of Saskatchewan Athletic Wall of Fame.
Jillian Gallays and Jeff Adamson (wrestling) will be inducted into the athlete category, while William (Bill) Seymour and Guy Vetrie will be inducted into the builder category. The 1998 men’s football and 2003-04 men’s volleyball teams will go into the team category.
“What a privilege it is for us to bring back so many incredible people to recognize their contributions that built the foundations of Huskie Athletics,” said Chief Athletics Officer Shannon Chinn. “We are excited to have the opportunity to celebrate their successes, and their outstanding contributions. It’s going to be an exceptional event.”
The University of Saskatchewan Athletic Wall of Fame provides recognition to those outstanding individuals, teams and builders who have not only demonstrated excellence in their athletic endeavours, but also have brought distinction to the University. These exceptional individuals have been selected by the Wall of Fame selection committee after having met the criteria for their specific category – athlete, builder, or team.
The 2023 induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 9 at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. Tickets are available at HuskieTickets.com.
Athlete Category:
Jillian Gallays, Wrestling
Jillian Gallays is considered one of the most accomplished female wrestlers in Huskie history. As part of the program from 2005-2010, she earned five Canada West medals (three gold and two bronze), two U SPORTS medals (one gold and one bronze) and was named the Huskie Athletics Female Athlete of the Year in 2009.
In addition to her career as a Huskie, Jillian experienced success at the international level. She is a Wrestling Canada senior champion (2010), Commonwealth Games bronze medalist (2014) and World Championship bronze medalist (2014). In 2016, she was named to the Canadian Olympic Team and competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
Jeff Adamson, Wrestling
As a Huskie student-athlete from 2003-2008, Jeff Adamson would be a dominant wrestler. He would win two gold and two silver Canada West medals and two gold and two bronze U SPORTS medals. In his last season as a Huskie, he would not concede a single point, winning the U SPORTS national title in 2007-08 in the 82 kg weight class.
After graduating, Jeff continued to have success at the national and international levels. He would go on to take first place in the 2011 Canadian Senior Wrestling Championship, earning a bronze medal at the 2011 Pan-Am Games in Mexico. He would earn a spot on Canadian Olympic team as a training partner, heading to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Builder Category:
William (Bill) Seymour (Posthumous)
For decades, William (Bill) Seymour has been a part of Huskie Athletics, as a student-athlete, coach, alumni, and interim Athletic Director from 2006-08. He has been an integral part of the men’s hockey program, as a player, coach, and alumni.
Along with friend Michael PJ Kennedy, Bill started research for Dogs on Ice: A History of Hockey at the University of Saskatchewan, with its first edition published in 2006, and second edition published in 2015. It’s widely considered to be the most comprehensive history of a hockey program in U SPORTS.
Bill was an integral part of the Home Ice Committee, dedicated to fundraising for Merlis Belsher Place, which opened on the University of Saskatchewan campus in 2018.
Guy Vetrie (Posthumous)
Guy Vetrie was the Huskie men’s basketball coach from 1978-79, and 1980-88. At the time of his departure, he was the second longest serving men’s basketball coach for the program. As a two-time Canada West Coach of the Year, he led the team to their first six appearances in the Canada West playoffs, first three appearances in the Canada West Final, and their first three appearances ever in the CIS National Championship.
He had the most wins in Huskie history (148) and had coached the most games (313) for the program when he left.
Team Category:
1998 Men’s Football
The 1998 men’s football team won the Vanier Cup with a 24-17 win over the Concordia Stingers.
Under the leadership of head coach Brian Towriss, the team finished the Canada West regular season with a 6-2 record. The Huskies would go on to defeat the UBC Thunderbirds 31-28 in the Canada West Hardy Cup Final. The team advanced to the Churchill Bowl, defeating the Western Mustangs 33-17 to book their trip to the Vanier Cup.
The team had four Canada West All-Stars in Scott Flory, Matt Kellett, Warren Muzika, and James Repesse. All four were also named CIAU All-Canadians. Warren Muzika was the Canada West Defensive Player of the Year and the CIAU Defensive Player of the Year.
2003-04 Men’s Volleyball
The men’s volleyball team won the program’s fourth national title in 2003-04.
The team was arguably the most dominant Huskie men’s volleyball team ever assembled and included some of the most talented athletes in Saskatchewan volleyball history. Adam Ens was named the CIS Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year and was named the BLG Award winner as the CIS Male Athlete of the Year, an honour bestowed to only one other Huskie athlete.
The team finished the Canada West regular season with a 14-6 record and defeated the Alberta Golden Bears in the Canada West Final. The team would go on to defeat the Trinity Western Spartans 3-0 in the CIS Men’s Volleyball Championship.
