Brandon University Wall of Fame includes Neepawa connection

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Brandon University Athletics has announced its 2015 Wall of Fame inductees. Among the nine honourees is BU alumni and former Neepawa Press owner Jack Gibson.

Gibson graduated from high school in MacGregor in 1969-1970. He was a multi-sport star playing volleyball, baseball, nine-man football, badminton and track, but basketball was his true sports love. That led to him being recruited by the Bobcats, where he played two seasons with the men’s basketball team in 1970-71 and 1972-73.

Gibson graduated from Brandon University in 1973 with a history major and psychology minor and his playing days with the Bobcats put the wheels in motion for him to be hired at the Brandon Sun in the same year that he graduated.

Gibson spent 14 years at the Brandon Sun and was appointed major roles including a seven-year run as Sports editor and also spent time as the Managing Editor.

Gibson ‘hit it lucky’ when covering the Bobcats. He fondly remembers reporting from national championships when the men’s basketball team won three straight titles and recalls how remarkable it was to watch a small school like Brandon win a national championship.

He also provided top-notch coverage on the women’s basketball team as they contended for a conference championship, along with the men’s hockey team as they rose through the ranks.

Following his run at the Sun, Gibson bought the Neepawa Press in 1988 and owned it until 2008, officially retiring from media in 2009.

Gibson, along with the eight other BU inductees will be honoured on the Dick and Verda McDonald Sports Wall of Fame, located on the second level of BU’s Healthy Living Centre. The display features team pictures, artifacts and uniforms from past teams and athletes of Brandon University and Brandon College.

Gibson spent 14 years at the Brandon Sun and was appointed major roles including a seven-year run as sports editor and also spent time as the managing editor.

Gibson ‘hit it lucky’ when covering the Bobcats. He fondly remembers reporting from national championships when the men’s basketball team won three straight titles and recalls how remarkable it was to watch a small school like Brandon win a national championship.

He also provided top-notch coverage on the women’s basketball team as they contended for a conference championship, along with the men’s hockey team as they rose through the ranks.

Following his run at the Sun, Gibson bought the Neepawa Press in 1988 and owned it until 2008, officially retiring from media in 2009.

Gibson, along with the eight other BU inductees will be honoured on the Dick and Verda McDonald Sports Wall of Fame, located on the second level of BU’s Healthy Living Centre. The display features team pictures, artifacts and uniforms from past teams and athletes of Brandon University and Brandon College.

Last year’s unveiling ceremony of the Wall of Fame honoured the 2014 induction class. The previous induction honoured the 2006 members - the first unified class of inductees covering all Brandon College and Brandon University athletes.

Tickets for the Wall of Fame brunch on Saturday, October 17th can be purchased from the Customer Service Centre at the Healthy Living Centre for $40 plus GST.

Tables of eight can be reserved for $300.00, and those travelling from outside of Brandon can reserve individual tickets by calling (204) 727-7375

To learn more about the Brandon University Bobcats Dick and Verda McDonald Sports Wall of Fame please visit www.gobobcats.ca/alumni