2025 STFX Sports Hall of Fame inductees unveiled

Antigonish, NS – STFX Athletics is pleased to announce the Class of 2025 inductees into the STFX Sports Hall of Fame, including five athletes:  Michel Poirier (X-Men Hockey, 1969), Lisa Fredrich-Dunne (X-Women Cross Country, 1995 & 1996), Ian Bilek (X-Men Soccer, 1996), Mark Verbeek (X-Men Football, 1997) and Nikki Doucet (X-Women Basketball, 2001), along with Terry Chisholm (X-Men Football, 1977 & 1978) in the builder category and the 1980-81 X-Men Basketball squad in the team category.

STFX Director of Athletics & Recreation Leo MacPherson notes, "We are incredibly proud to recognize this year's Hall of Fame inductees - an extraordinary group who had a profound impact on our athletics program. Their dedication and commitment to excellence have brought significant pride to our university, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements and welcoming them into the Hall of Fame this fall."

This year's induction ceremony, which is open to the public, is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, at 10:00 a.m., at STFX's Schwartz auditorium.     

The 2025 STFX Sports Hall of Fame inductees are as follows:

ATHLETES:

Michel Poirier (X-Men Hockey, Class of 1969)

With physical force and elite athleticism, the Montreal native skated into the hearts of White and Blue fans in the late 1960s. A promising defenseman with the Montreal Junior Canadiens in the Major Junior Hockey League, Poirier made the move to STFX for the 1965-66 Maritime Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) season, where he not only excelled on the ice, but also in the classroom, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Heralded as one of the finest defenseman in the conference, the 6'0, 210-pounder topped STFX rearguards in scoring in each of his seasons. Poirier collected 89 points during his STFX career, one that included three MIAA conference all-star berths. Eventually serving as X-Men team captain, he helped lead the program to three Maritime championships and berths in the CIAU national title tournament. A long-time supporter of STFX University, Poirier played at the AHL level for the Montreal Canadiens' organization, which included a stint with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs in Halifax.

Lisa Fredrich-Dunne (X-Women Cross Country, Class of 1995 & 1996)

Lisa Fredrich-Dunne raced into STFX history during a stellar five-year career as a student-athlete with the White and Blue cross country program. The Calgary native became the first X-Women Cross Country athlete to garner STFX female athlete of the year accolades in 1996, capping off four consecutive seasons (1992-1995) of being honoured as the STFX female cross country runner of the year. During that stretch, Fredrich-Dunne also garnered AUAA all-star nods on five occasions, becoming the first X-Women runner to do so.

She was the AUAA cross country individual champion and runner of the year in 1994, and qualified to represent STFX at the national championship in both 1994 and 1995. During her time at STFX, Fredrich-Dunne was a two-time CIAU academic all-Canadian, was STFX's 1996 nominee for the prestigious AUAA James Bayer award recognizing athleticism, academics and leadership, and she earned both a Bachelor of Science (1995) and Bachelor of Physical Education (1996) degree. Upon graduation Lisa completed four full Ironman Canada races and represented Canada in Sweden at the Long Course World Championships. A current high school teacher/chaplain in Calgary, she continues to inspire young athletes and students to maximize their full potential. 

Ian Bilek (X-Men Soccer, Class of 1996)

This Antigonish, N.S. native was a key contributor to a golden era for the White and Blue soccer program under the leadership of his father - and fellow STFX Sports Hall of Fame member - head coach Lou Bilek. One of the top scorers in the AUAA during his collegiate career, the Bachelor of Physical Education graduate was front and center for the X-Men during memorable runs to back-to-back conference titles in 1993 and 1994, which also earned STFX berths in the CIAU national championship tournament. In 1995, Bilek garnered an AUS first-team all-star selection and a second-team CIAU all-Canadian nod, while also earning CIAU academic all-Canadian status in the classroom.

In a triumphant return to action in 1997, Bilek - a CIAU first-team all-Canadian - led the White and Blue to another trip to the national championship, picking up CIAU tournament all-star recognition. The top scorer in the AUAA that season, he was also honoured as the most valuable player in the conference. Bilek was twice named the MVP of the X-Men squad, in both the 1997 and 1995 seasons and leads all X-Men in goals scored at the national championship with three.  Now a lawyer in Halifax, he maintains a deep connection to his alma mater and is a proud supporter of the STFX Soccer Back and Blue Project.

Mark Verbeek (X-Men Football, Class of 1997)

Mark (Farraway) Verbeek was an integral contributor to the X-Men Football program's "rise to national prominence," as described by his former head coach John Stevens, citing him "not only as a leader, on and off the field, but as one of the hardest working players on the team." During his time as a student-athlete with the White and Blue from 1993 to 1997, the program improved from a two-win campaign (1993) to a spot in the 1996 Vanier Cup national title game.

In that memorable campaign, the Bachelor of Physical Education degree graduate earned his second consecutive All-Canadian second-team selection, while helping key the X-Men's run to AUAA and Atlantic Bowl championships. Along with back-to-back AUAA all-star team berths (1995 and 1996), the stellar defender was named the conference's lineman of the year in 1995.

After completing his collegiate career with an appearance in the 1997 East-West Shrine Bowl, Verbeek was drafted by Edmonton in the first round - eighth overall - of the Canadian Football League (CFL) draft. His professional career included four seasons with the Hamilton Tiger Cats and one with Edmonton where he was the team's Rookie of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year in 1997. He will be a two-time STFX Sports Hall of Fame inductee as he was previously enshrined in 2016 with the 1997 X-Men Football team.  

Nikki Doucet (X-Women Basketball, Class of 2001)

A native of Liverpool, N.S., this dynamic two-way guard not only left an indelible mark on X-Women Basketball, but also the program, conference and national record books. While donning the White and Blue from 1997-2001, Doucet became the team's all-time leader in assists (406), assists-per-game (5.1), steals (298) and steals-per-game (3.7). With 861 points, she currently ranks eighth on the X-Women's career scoring list. In the 1999-2000 season, Doucet garnered an AUAA second-team all-star nod while, in 2000-2001, she collected a first-team all-star selection and the conference's award for defensive player of the year, as well as being named an all-star in both the 1999 and 2001 AUAA championship tournaments.

Doucet wrapped up her varsity basketball career at the University of Toronto, earning an OUA East player of the year award and a first-team all-star selection in 2003-2004. She also notched a first-team All-Canadian award. Doucet ranks fifth and 10^th all-time nationally in CIS assists (500) and assists per game (4.9), respectively. She has the most steals (356), and third-best steals-per-game average in CIS history (3.5). Nikki received a top 20 national team invitation in 2005 for a tryout camp. Along with her exceptional skill, passion, competitive drive and flair for the game, the Bachelor of Business Administration graduate is remembered not only as a second-to-none teammate but also an advocate for women in leadership and sport. 

BUILDER:

Terry Chisholm, X-Men Football, Class of 1977 & 1978

Terry Chisholm graduated from his alma mater with Bachelor of Arts (1977) and Bachelor of Education (1978) degrees, and has been a volunteer coach with the X-Men Football program since 1988. Over those 36 consecutive seasons, the veteran educator has been a part of more than 300 X-Men games, seven conference championships and one Vanier Cup appearance (1996).

Coach Chisholm has primarily coached the X-Men running backs, while also spending time with linebackers, offensive line and special teams. He has coached alongside several head coaches, numerous assistant coaches and hundreds of student-athletes - maintaining a constant guiding presence on the White and Blue gridiron for over three decades.

Along with sharing his knowledge of the game, Chisholm has provided unending emotional and social support for his student-athletes. An extremely positive individual and a lifelong educator, Coach Chisholm played a key role leading X-Men study halls in offering academic support as he prepared countless student-athletes for success in the classroom and on the playing field. Beloved by his X-Men athletes, he has hosted countless meals and get-togethers over the years and also saw all three of his sons don the White and Blue jersey during his time along the sidelines. In 2008, Chisholm was the recipient of the Gino Fracas Award, presented to the CIS football national volunteer coach of the year, a well-earned honour for a fine gentleman.

TEAM:

1980-81 X-Men Basketball

Featuring an eclectic mix of student-athletes, coaches and staff from Antigonish to New York, and many other locales, this version of the White and Blue not only helped launch a legendary coaching career, but also establish the X-Men as one of the pre-eminent university basketball programs in Canada.

During the 1980-81 season, STFX captured its first conference crown in 21 years, the first under the leadership of Steve Konchalski. While earning a top-ranking in the nation - something never achieved before by the X-Men - the history-making campaign included victories over No. 1 ranked Acadia (in the conference regular season and in the AUAA championship game), and over No. 1 ranked York in the first round of the national championship tournament. Led by All-Canadians and AUAA all-stars Mark Brodie and Varouj Gurunlian, along with the dynamic John Hatch, the X-Men tipped off the memorable campaign with championships in three pre-season tournaments.

Sparked by a potent offense, which averaged 99 points per game, the X-Men posted a 13-5 mark in the AUAA regular season, with their only defeats coming against Acadia and Saint Mary's. In the season finale, they knocked off Acadia, who came into the contest with a 17-0 record. In the conference tournament, they edged both Acadia and Saint Mary's in overtime thrillers to secure the AUAA championship crown. Second team AUAA all-star Tom Sullivan garnered a spot on the conference tournament squad. The X-Men started the national championship tournament with a quarter-final victory over York, but lost Brodie, the AUS tournament MVP to an ankle injury. They were ousted by the rival Axemen in a semifinal game described as a classic.

Members of the 1980-81 STFX X-Men Basketball team are Sandy Archibald, Henry Blumenfeld, Shane Brewster, Mark Brodie, Greg Brown, Varouj Gurunlian, John Hatch, Norval McConnell, Geoff McIver, Shawn Parker, David Scott, Tom Sullivan, Head Coach Steve Konchalski, Assistant Coach Owen Cameron, Managers Ron MacDonald and Steven Lloyd, and Trainer Keith Burke.

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