CFL star Lui Passaglia inducted into Canadian Sports Hall of Fame (video)

CFL star Lui Passaglia, Hockey great Ray Bourque, , 10-time Paralympic medallist Lauren Woolstencroft, triathlon great Peter Reid, distinguished soccer player Andrea Neil, and International Olympic Committee member Richard Pound will be the five athletes and one builder inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame on November 8, 2011, the Hall announced Friday.

“Our Selection Committee, which is comprised of media and sports experts, was tasked with reviewing a very competitive roster of nominations in the athlete and builder categories. This year, we received nominations for 54 athletes and 28 builders and had to make very difficult decisions based on so many remarkable individuals,” said Claire Buffone-Blair, president and CEO. “The Class of 2011 who will be honoured by Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame will make for formidable additions to the Hall’s distinguished list of Honoured Members which now totals 520 athletes and builders representing 60 sports.”

Lui Passaglia is one of the greatest placekicker/punters in the history of the Canadian Football League. Passaglia wore the B.C. Lions uniform for 25 years (1976-2000) where he scored more points than any other professional football player in history. His #5 jersey is one of eight numbers retired by the Lions. Passaglia is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame and the B.C. Lions Wall of Fame. In 2003, Passaglia was voted a member of the B.C. Lions All-Time Dream Team and in 2006 was voted #30 of the CFL’s top 50 players of the leagues modern era by Canadian Sports network TSN .

“Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame seeks to recognize and share the stories of the nation’s greatest athletes and builders who have made a significant contribution to sport in this country,” said Buffone-Blair. “These five athletes and one builder have ammased incredible acheivement in sport, not only in Canada but around the world. We are thrilled to welcome them into the Hall where their unique stories will continue to serve as an inspiration for Canadian youth to live healthy, active lives and to dream big.”

The class of 2011 will be officially inducted into Canada’s Sport’s Hall of Fame during a gala dinner and celebration in Calgary, November 8 at the Telus Convention Centre. To purchase tickets for the dinner and for more information on the induction ceremony, please visit us at [url]www.sportshall.ca.

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is committed to preserve and showcase Canada’s rich sporting history in innovative and meaningful ways; celebrate sport’s contribution to what it means to be Canadian, connect communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast; and inspire new generations of Canadian youth to get involved in sport and dream big. With its roots dating back to 1955, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is relocating to Calgary from Toronto and will be opening the doors to its new home on July 1, 2011. For more information, please visit us at [url]www.sportshall.ca.

“When I received the call that I was to be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, I was surprised and excited, and I felt very honoured to be selected. I’ve always been an avid sports fan, and have enjoyed watching and hearing about our Canadian athletes in various sports over the years. To be included with these 514 great Canadian athletes and builders is truly humbling and gratifying at the same time. “

…Lui Passaglia