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Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Alberta loses a sporting legend and an educational leader

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Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Jim Donlevy passes away

As a football coach he was a national champ and an absolute institution at the University of Alberta.   But it’s likely that Jim Donlevy may actually have made an even bigger impact in hockey where he was instrumental in the formation of the post secondary scholarship system in Junior Hockey. Jim was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame just a few months ago.  

His brother Michael is a long time Red Deer resident and recently retired from a brilliant career of his own at Red Deer College.   Here’s what Michael shared with friends after the death of his oldest brother:

Early Sunday, we lost an amazing individual in Jim Donlevy. A great husband, father, uncle and Grandpa – and my oldest brother. He was a friend and mentor to me over many years in my career and in life, who encouraged all of what I did. I was and remain deeply proud of what he accomplished, benefiting so many people and am very grateful that Jim was properly recognized this year, with his induction into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. Jim was a coach and dedicated educator, totally committed to teaching, learning and student athletes.  He leaves an incredible legacy and all of us will miss him dearly.

Here’s Jim Donlevy’s Alberta Sports Hall of Fame induction video.

‘Jim’ Donlevy devoted his professional career to more than 50 years of coaching, teaching and administrative leadership. His career in football began in 1954 coaching Bantam and High School Football teams. He joined the Edmonton Huskies from 1961 to 1963 and won two Canadian titles. At the University of Alberta, he led the Golden Bears to four National Championship games and brought home the Vanier Cup in 1972 and 1980. He had the most wins of any Golden Bears football coach with 89 wins, 69 losses and 3 ties. From 1993 to 2015, Jim was the Western Hockey League’s Education Consultant. He built a formal education and scholarship program for the student athletes playing in the league. It is now considered one of the most comprehensive education programs for hockey in the world today.

Please consider sharing this inspirational story on your own social media channels so others can learn about and enjoy Alberta’s rich sports history. Click here for more inspirational stories from the Class of 2019.

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Alberta Sports Hall of Fame 2025 Inductee Profiles – Para Nordic Skiing – Brian and Robin McKeever

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Brian & Robin McKeever – Para Nordic Skiing

Canmore natives Brian and Robin McKeever are celebrated for their monumental contributions to Para Nordic skiing. Brian, Canada’s most decorated Winter Paralympian, secured 20 Paralympic medals (16 gold) from 2002 to 2022. Despite vision loss from Stargardt’s disease, he excelled remarkably. Robin, a 1998 Olympian, became Brian’s guide, and together they won 10 Paralympic medals.

Transitioning to coaching, Robin led Canada’s Para Nordic team to 41 Paralympic medals from 2010 to 2022, with Brian succeeding him as Head Coach in 2022. Their induction honors their athletic achievements and enduring impact on Canadian sports and the Paralympic movement.

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Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Alberta Sports Hall of Fame 2025 Inductee profiles – Alpine Skiing Athlete – Brady Leman

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Brady Leman – Alpine Skiing Athlete

Calgary native Brady Leman, born October 16, 1986, is celebrated as one of Canada’s most successful ski cross athletes. Overcoming a broken leg at the 2010 Olympics and a near-podium finish in 2014, Brady achieved gold in men’s ski cross at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.

With 6 World Cup victories and 32 podiums, he retired in 2023 after winning his final race on Canadian soil.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Brady actively supports future athletes through fundraising and leadership roles, including serving on the Alberta Alpine Ski Association Board. His induction honors his remarkable career and contributions to Canadian skiing.

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