Congratulations 2022 STU Sports Wall of Fame Inductees

In bringing forward his nomination, his daughter Alyssa wrote that through losses, injuries, and team hardships, her father remained committed to STU and his teams had the heart to accomplish their goals.  During his STU career, it is said that he averaged almost 70 shots a game.  Once, when facing UNB near then end of the season, he faced 54 shots as the underdog Tommies won 3-2 and The Daily Gleaner reported;  “Firlotte Comes Up Big—What He Did to UNB was Devilish.”    

Sue Ross was a tri-sport athlete, competing for the Tommies in Volleyball, Basketball, and Rugby, and was renowned for her competitiveness, team leadership and personal integrity.  Over five years at STU, she was a three-time MVP for Women’s Rugby in 1997, 1998, and 2000, and led them to back-to-back championships in the NB/PEI League.  Her skill and on-field leadership were key to the program’s advancement, and after the team moved to Atlantic University Sport, Susan powered them to the AUS finals in 1999.   

That was in Rugby.  In Basketball, she was twice named to the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Basketball First Team All-Conference.  In 1997-98, she was named Team MVP and STU Female Athlete of the Year, a milestone she would repeat in 1999-2000.  When she was a starter for the Basketball and Volleyball teams, she would often times be playing games for both teams on the same day.   Her nominee notes that she exemplified the spirit of STU with her dedication to athletics and academics, and that she was a true sportswoman who contributed greatly to the university.

Ivan Rideout was the Tommies Men’s Basketball coach from 1980-1993.  Over that time, he instilled a winning culture that propelled his teams to success in the New Brunswick Collegiate League, the Maine State Small College League, and the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association.  In his first seven years, Ivan coached to seven championships in the New Brunswick Collegiate League, and the Tommies would win a State of Maine championship before moving into the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association.  He was named Coach of the Year in all three leagues—three times in New Brunswick, once in Maine, and twice in the ACAA.    

As one of his players Stephen Horsman recalled: “I have seen Ivan’s guidance and impact on his players; keeping them in school and showing them that there are more important issues in life than playing basketball.  These players became teachers, police officers, and businesspeople.  All of whom contributed to society and gave back to their communities.  Nancy and the Rideout family opened doors to accept players as part of their family, and never gave up on them.  This was the way that Ivan coached as well.”    

Alicia Sterling was a member of the Tommies Women’s Basketball Team from 2005 to 2009.  Her athleticism coupled with her exceptional work ethic contributed to her development as elite defender.  Her competitiveness helped her grow into an all-round player and in 2008-09, she was Team MVP and STU Female Athlete of the Year.  In the words of her coach Fred Connors, “Alicia’s journey during the 2008-09 season was remarkable as she put together one of the most remarkable individual performances in STU Women’s Basketball history.”    

That year she was named ACAA Player of the Month, CCAA All-Canadian for February, STU Athlete of the Week three times, and ACAA First Team All Conference.  She led her team in scoring, was second in steals, and third in rebounding.  She was the first member of the women’s basketball team to be named the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year and a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association All-Canadian.  She capped it off by leading the Tommies to their first ACAA championship in over a decade.     

Ed Welch led the Tommies Women’s Volleyball Team from 1999 to 2013 and is one of the most decorated coaches in STU’s history.  In fourteen years, he guided the Tommies to seven Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association championships.   From 2001 to 2007, he led the team to an incredible 138-game win streak.  He was named ACAA Coach of the Year four straight years, and was the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Coach of the Year in 2005.    

In 2001, Ed was inducted into the Oromocto Sports Wall of Fame.  In 2013, his teams from 2000-2006 were inducted into the STU Sports Wall of Fame.  Ed was recently inducted into the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame in the Coaches category.  It has been estimated that Ed has given more than 30,000 hours of his time to help young men and women become better volleyball players and better people.  Many of his players are now giving back through coaching, and using Ed’s approach and methods. 

 Larry Wood began his hockey career with the Tommies playing for St. Thomas High School in 1955 and he would finish eight years later in 1963 playing for St. Thomas University.  In his first year, Larry helped his team reach the Maritime final, and he later played a key role on the team that captured the 1960-1961 Maritime College Championship.  In the 1960-61 Maritime Championship tournament, Larry scored the game-winning goal against Mount Allison, and in the championship game against St. Francis Xavier, he scored two goals to give St. Thomas its first Maritime Championship.  In 2010, Larry was inducted into the STU Sports Wall of Fame as a member of the 1960-1961 Men’s Hockey Team.  He was inducted into the Miramichi Sports Wall of Fame in 2012.    

Many are aware of Larry’s role in the historic wins against MTA and the STFX in 1961.  Less well known is that on February 2, 1962, STU played Laval University who were the defending Quebec-Ontario Intercollegiate Champion. The Tommies beat Laval 7-4 at the Lord Beaverbrook Arena in Chatham.  At that time, there was no Canadian Championship, though local fans and the New Brunswick newspapers reported that Maritime fans had billed the game in advance as the championship final.  Just as in the game against STFX, Larry Wood scored two goals against Laval.