Hall of Fame 2019 Inductees
The 2019 Hall of Fame inductees, mark great careers and achievements that stand the test of time. The tributes and memorabilia you see here in the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame of past inductees recall the passion and successes of many great people in this community. Competing at the highest level or setting a new path for others to follow, each member has made an impression that our community can cherish for years to come. This year’s inductees are a diverse group, showing the rich sport history in Coquitlam and the influence that they have on sport in our province and across our country.BUILDERS
VALE SAVEGE – volleyball
A talented basketball and volleyball player who competed internationally for Canada, VALE SAVEGE became a leader both on and off the court in Coquitlam.
After a successful stint at the University of Toronto, the Ontario native moved west to co-found the Simon Fraser University women’s volleyball program, serving as its coach for the first six years.
She took on coaching duties at Centennial Secondary, helping pilot the senior girls’ program to a 4A provincial title in 1996 with Dave Ramsay, going 76-0. On behalf of the sport, VALE also worked the net as one of the few women officials, beginning in 1963, and in 1981 became the first female to officiate an international match in Japan.
She has worked tirelessly for the betterment of the sport, serving on the provincial and national executive boards over the years.
VALE was inducted into the Canadian Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2013 and now is an Inducted member of the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame.
DANIEL STRAIN – multi-sport
A number of sports and thousands of local athletes benefited from the contributions of DANIEL STRAIN. His first taste of volunteering at the Coquitlam Recreation Centre in 1970 as a gymnastics instructor.
On the soccer pitch, he guided 12 local district (Bel Aire, Cape Horn, Coquitlam) championship teams to provincials, including a u19 title in 1995.
Upon retiring in the late-1990s, DANIEL shifted his interest to dragon boating with a new Dogwood Pavilion team. He remained with the team for 20 years and was selected as team captain in 2000.
They would go on to capture the Canadian International Festival’s Seniors Cup and Governor General’s Award for Most Sportsmanlike team that year.
DANIEL accrued 24 gold medals during that span as an athlete, coach and volunteer. DANIEL STRAIN passed away in 2018 and now is an Inducted member of the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame.
ATHLETES
JOHN ALLEN – lacrosse
JOHN ALLEN was one of the first consummate goal scorers for the fledgling Coquitlam Adanacs during the club’s first decade on the senior A circuit. Prince Rupert-born and Victoria raised, JOHN displayed a nose for the net at an early age, dominating the junior loop before taking the bold move of heading to Quebec to play in a semi-pro league. He dominated that league but yearned to play at the highest level in B.C.
Upon his return, JOHN signed with the new Coquitlam Adanacs franchise and proceeded to win the league’s Rookie of the Year award. In his second season he tallied a league-best 61 goals. He’d go on to be one of the top scorers over 13 senior seasons, totaling 542 goals and 453 assists.
JOHN ALLEN was named to the all-star team seven times, and in 1988 was made a member of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and now is a member of the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame.
KARIN LARSEN – synchronized swimming
At a young age, KARIN LARSEN displayed a passion for the pool. The Coquitlam native established a successful swimming record with the Coquitlam Sharks and synchronized swimming Coralinas club, including provincial championships at various ages.
From 1981 to ’88 she was a member of the Canadian synchro national team, along with sister Christine, and achieved gold at international meets in France, Switzerland, Spain and Japan.
In 1985, KARIN was part of the Canadian FINA synchro world cup winning team in Tokyo, and repeated the feat in 1986 in Madrid. She followed that with duet gold at the Soviet Open in 1987. In 1988 KARIN was selected to the Canadian Olympic team, serving as the spare to gold medal duet of Carolyn Waldo and Michelle Cameron.
Karin is an award-winning sports broadcaster covering BC teams and athletes with CBC for 25 years and now Karin Larsen is a member of the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame..
MIKE MAHOVLICH – javelin
At a young age, KARIN LARSEN displayed a passion for the pool. The Coquitlam native established a successful swimming record with the Coquitlam Sharks and synchronized swimming Coralinas club, including provincial championships at various ages.
From 1981 to ’88 she was a member of the Canadian synchro national team, along with sister Christine, and achieved gold at international meets in France, Switzerland, Spain and Japan.
In 1985, KARIN was part of the Canadian FINA synchro world cup winning team in Tokyo, and repeated the feat in 1986 in Madrid. She followed that with duet gold at the Soviet Open in 1987. In 1988 KARIN was selected to the Canadian Olympic team, serving as the spare to gold medal duet of Carolyn Waldo and Michelle Cameron.
Karin is an award-winning sports broadcaster covering BC teams and athletes with CBC for 25 years and now Karin Larsen is a member of the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame.