LSHOF announces 2026 inductees

Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame

The Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame has announced the 2026 induction class which includes athletes Ross Bekkering (Basketball), Wacey Rabbit (Hockey), Kris Versteeg (Hockey), team award to the 2016-2017 Women’s Kodiak Basketball National Championship team (Basketball), special award Ralph Family (Multi-sport) and historical inductee Pearl Violet Borgal (Multi-sport).

The induction ceremony will take place on May 8 at Excite Lethbridge (Lethbridge Trade & Convention Centre) in the Lakeview Salon. 

2026 Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame
inductees:

Athlete – Ross Bekkering

Ross Bekkering’s basketball career has taken him across the globe. The athlete of Canadian-Dutch descent who hails from Taber had a storied five-year run with the University of Calgary Dinos of the Canada West. Afterwards, he took his game internationally, playing in the Dutch Basketball League from 2010 to 2016 before representing the Netherlands Men’s 3×3 Basketball Team at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Athlete – Wacey Rabbit

From the hockey rink to the rodeo grounds, Wacey Saapaata Rabbit has personified dedication and leadership. His hockey career started in his home community with the Kainai Minor Hockey Little Braves and ultimately took him through the Western Hockey League and around the world. Also enjoying a brief rodeo stint in mutton busting, Saapaata Rabbit has remained deeply connected to his Siksikaitsitapi roots.

Athlete – Kris Versteeg

A north-side Lethbridge product, Kris Versteeg honed his hockey talents in Lethbridge, ultimately leading to an 11-year career in the National Hockey League. In that time, he brought home two Stanley Cups as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks to celebrate with his hometown supporters. His career also took him overseas as a representative of Team Canada, winning the 2019 Spengler Cup at Eisstadion Davos in Davos, Switzerland.

Team Award – 2016-2017 Women’s Kodiak Basketball National Championship team

The Lethbridge College Kodiaks womens’ basketball team was simply unbeatable in the 2016-17 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference season. The Kodiaks went a perfect 21-0 in ACAC regular season play, ultimately capturing the provincial title at home with an 85-54 win over the St. Mary’s Lightning. The Kodiaks capped off the perfect season with their fourth national title, defeating Montreal’s Dawson College Lady Blues 81-57 in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association final in Edmonton.

Special Award – Ralph Family

The Ralph family – Dustin, Brock, Brett, Jade, Kenzie, Jimmy, mother Shelly and father Jim – have excelled in all sports they’ve played in. Whether it was baseball, basketball, football, rugby or dancing, the family from Raymond have made their sporting mark on southern Alberta. What’s more, the Ralph family has done so in a player, coaching, and sport administrator capacity.

Historical Award – Pearl Violet Borgal

Sports were an essential part of Pearl Borgal’s life, and she played many of them. Born in Swift Current in 1910, Borgal was Alberta’s first Junior Swimming Champion. She also participated in the saddle club, speed skating, swimming, hockey, basketball and golf and was a rodeo star, pioneer sports broadcaster and tireless volunteer for her community. Borgal was honoured by the Sarcee Band with the name of Morning Star. In recognition of many of her achievements, Pearl was named to the Lethbridge Community College Hall of Fame and the City of Lethbridge named a street in her honour, in addition to presenting a Scroll of Outstanding Service.

The Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame has inducted more than 350 members since its formation in 1985 as part of the City of Lethbridge’s Centennial celebrations. The mandate of the hall is to identify and honour not only contemporary individuals, but also those who have excelled in sport at some time since the founding of Lethbridge.