Athletics Manitoba is pleased to announce the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees.
BUILDER – Alex Gardiner
Gardiner began his coaching career as the University of Manitoba’s track and field head coach from 1984-92. During those years, he guided the acclaimed program to six men’s CIS national championships (four in Track and Field: 1988, ’89,’90, ’92 and two in Cross Country: 1988, ’89). Along with serving as team Canada’s Olympic team head coach Gardiner was the personal coach of nine Bison athletes who competed on Canadian national senior teams.
ATHLETE – Andre Smith
With a sprinting resume too numerous to fully list here, some highlights of Smith’s stellar career include multiple Manitoba provincial championships, university 4x200m relay gold, 400m Canadian indoor and outdoor champion, two time Athletics Manitoba Male Sprinter of the Year, and in 1988 set a Canadian Indoor Record in the 400m. Smith was also a member of Canada’s National 4x400m Relay Team Program and represented Canada in numerous international competitions including at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea and was bronze medalist at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. Smith currently holds Manitoba Provincial Indoor records in both the 300m and 400m distances.
ATHLETE – Tanya Brothers
Tanya was the most outstanding female sprinters in Manitoba in the early 1980’s. Some of her top achievements include multiple time Manitoba high school champion in the 100m and 200m events, national Junior (U20) champion 100m and 200m, three-time gold medalist at the 1981 Canada Summer Games in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m, Manitoba Sports Writers Female Athlete of the Year in 1981, while competing for the University of Manitoba was Canada West and USports Champion in the 60m and 300m. Brothers was also a member of Canada’s National Relay Team and competed numerous times on the world stage including Commonwealth Games, Pan-American Games and World Championships.
TEAM – University of Manitoba Men’s Track and Field Teams – 1988-1996
University of Manitoba Men’s Track and Field Teams 1988-1996 in the team category. These teams had an impressive dynasty with 7 Canada West titles during this time and two second place finishes. The average margin of victory in the 7 titles was 24 points with the largest margin being 39 points in 1995. Won or tied for CIAU (now USports) titles seven times during these years. Average margin of victory in the 7 titles was 17 points with the highest point margin being 36 points in 1994. During this period the team won 28 event gold medals, 22 silver and 16 bronze.
These incredible individuals will be recognized as part of our annual awards banquet coming up this November 14th, 2025.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to celebrate these incredible individuals – the deadline for tickets is coming up fast!
We hope to see you and encourage you to bring a guest or two, to help celebrate everyone’s amazing accomplishments from this past season.
Doors open at 6:00 PM with the banquet and formal program beginning at 6:30 PM.
As always, we have much to celebrate! 2025 has been a tremendous year for the Athletics community in Manitoba. Incredible athlete performances, exemplary coaching prowess, and dedication to the sport, will all be highlighted throughout the event.
- WHERE: Hilton Winnipeg Airport Suites1800 Wellington Avenue Winnipeg, MB, R3H 1B2
- DATE: Friday, November 14th, 2025
- TIME: Doors open at 6pm, event from 6:30pm – 10:00pm
COACHES & OFFICIALS – Join us at 5pm at the Oak and Grain (located to the right of the lobby) for a special thank you reception just for you!
Deadline for ticket purchase: Sunday, November 9th 2025
$50 for attendees and $30 for nominees
Dinner is included in the ticket purchase. And please let us know of any dietary restrictions when you purchase your ticket!
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