Mark Wyatt, who began his illustrious rugby career at Vic High and went on to be capped 29 times with Canada between 1982 and 1991, is among the 2017 induction class for the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
Wyatt lined up at fullback mostly, but sometimes at fly half and became a skilled kicker whose accuracy from all over the field was the stuff of Canadian legends.
Long since retired from active play and now serving as president of the Westshore Rugby Football Club (formerly Velox), Wyatt was announced as part of an athletes group that includes former B.C. Lions football standout Geroy Simon, six-time gold medal winning Paralympian Michelle Stilwell, three-time Stanley Cup-winning NHL player Mark Recchi and two-time world cross country mountain bike champion Roland Green.
“It’s tough taking individual recognition for achievements that teams deliver,” Wyatt said. “It’s a wonderful honour and it’s great that rugby has enough street cred that we’ve got a fairly decent cast already in (the hall).”
He was named to the B.C. Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007 and as Canada's fourth highest all-time points scorer with 234, is likely to be at least nominated for Rugby Canada's inaugural induction class, to be presented next March.
Entering the Hall in the builders category are former UBC football coach Frank Smith, equestrian supporters George and Diane Tidball, and wheelchair basketball coach Tim Frick. The 1969-70 UBC Thunderettes women's basketball team, taekwondo pioneer Chang Keun Choi, and WAC Bennett Achievement Award winner Dave Sidoo are the other inductees for 2017.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com