Posted on Feb. 3: 2003 Friends of Distinction recipients announced

The 2003 Marauder Friends of Distinction recipients were presented as part of the 17th Annual Marauder Weekend festivities that took place at the Burridge Gym Saturday.

Part-time coaches, trainers, behind and on the scene contributors are
recognized as Friends of Distinction by McMaster Athletics and Recreation for their tireless dedication to sport, University athletes and the pursuit of excellence. Award recipients and nominees are the men and women who have contributed in a significant way as the “doers” and “builders” of current and past athletic programs at McMaster.

Catie Creighton

Catie is a long-serving and dedicated member of the Athletic Hall
of Fame Committee and assists in any capacity required at the induction ceremony. Creighton helped with the organization of the women's alumnae basketball games during the 2002 CIS Women's National Basketball Championships and supports the athletics program as a volunteer and as an alumna.

Don Graves

Don took on the job of head coach of the Marauder baseball
program in the fall of 1995. In only six seasons, coach Graves led the Marauders to one national championship, two Ontario West Division titles and two regular season pennants. Graves retired from coaching Marauder baseball following the 2002 season and will continue to be involved with the athletics program.

Ray Johnson

Ray is a retired director of Athletics & Recreation at McMaster
and was a member and advisor of the Lettermen's Association for more than 20 years. Johnson stepped down as chair of the Hall of Fame Committee this past year, a position he held since 1995. He is a supporter of the Friends of Football Adopt-an-Athlete program and is still an avid fan of Marauder athletics.

Mary Foster

Mary is a retired coach, chair of women's athletics and student
advisor of McMaster. She is presently chair of the women's Hall of Fame selection committee and co-chairs the induction event at Homecoming each year. Foster is an avid supporter of women's athletics and we are proud to recognize her many years of dedication to the program.

Phil McColl

Phil has been instructing Karate in the McMaster Recreation
program since 1984. McColl not only teaches his students but also imparts the knowledge he's attained through his travels to Thailand, Japan and to Argentina to demonstrate at the World Karate Championships. McColl takes great pride in his sport and dedicates more than eight hours a week to the training of his students. He is a dedicated instructor who has developed 50 quality black belt students and as one of his students who travels from Toronto said, “Sensei McColl is worth the drivehe is the best instructor
ever.”

Ken Welch

Welch began working on the “OUA Game of the Week” in 1989 and
continued with it for 13 years. He hosted the televised football games at MAC and did athlete profiles for both football and basketball. Welch also provided TV coverage of McMaster athletes throughout the week on his sportscast. Welch is a keen supporter of McMaster Athletics and emcees the Marauder football gala dinner every year, as well as the men's basketball gala dinner.