Hall of Fame for 1983 soccer champions

The 1983 Mariners men’s soccer team has earned another triumph.

The Vancouver Island University (Malaspina) team will be inducted to the Nanaimo Sports Hall of Fame at a special celebration at the Nanaimo Museum on Saturday (Sept. 18).

Almost the entire team will be in attendance, along with coaches Les Malbon and Mike Armstrong, both professors in the Sport, Health and Physical Education department at VIU.

The men’s soccer team earned VIU’s first national championship in athletics 26 years ago. The tough, rowdy, colourful group was led by Armstrong and Malbon who emphasized teamwork and grit.

Team member Gunnar Myhrer scored the game-winning goal, putting the Mariners up 1-0 against Seneca College, Ontario in what would be remembered as one of the Mariner’s most exciting and nerve-wracking games.

Armstrong remembers the moment as if it happened yesterday. “I walked over to the far side of the field because it was too tense, I couldn’t stand it anymore. So I was standing on the same side as Gunnar. I think it was a free kick, and he (Gunnar) ran from midfield, headed it and it kind of looped over the goalie and went in. I can still see it.”

Malbon said, “We had one hell of a defence. What were the goals against? Eight goals in 18 games? That was ridiculous. I can’t think of any team that does that. It wasn’t the best talent that I’ve coached, but it was the best team I’ve ever coached.”

Mariner Athletics donated several items for a permanent display in the Nanaimo Sports Hall of Fame exhibit, located in the lobby of the new museum, including a 1983 team jersey, the team trophy, banner and medal.

Nanaimo Museum General Manager Debbie Trueman said the exhibit features other famous Nanaimo athletes including Olympic javelin thrower Phil Olsen, soccer player Ray Telford and the 1956 Mann Cup lacrosse team.

“It’s quite an honour for the VIU Mariner’s soccer team to be included with other notable inductees past and present,” said Armstrong. “There are some pretty amazing athletes coming from Nanaimo. We’re extremely proud that our men’s soccer team is being recognized in this way.”

The official ceremony and Sports Hall of Fame celebration takes place Saturday at 3 pm at the Nanaimo Museum, 100 Museum Way at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. The event includes unveiling of a wall plaque, a parade of inductees and a PowerPoint presentation. Refreshments will be available. The public is welcome to attend. Tickets are $10 at the door.

The 1983 team members have fond memories of the national championship and their time at VIU. Team members attending Saturday’s ceremony include Gunner Myhrer (a teacher at Woodlands School in Nanaimo), Bruce Benedict (Controller for CruisePlus Management in Nanaimo), Gavin Bowers (Head of Athletics and Physcial Education at Glenlyon Norfolk School in Victoria), Doug Chase (teacher at Alberni District Secondary in Port Alberni), Larry Cronan (teacher at Mountain View elementary in Nanaimo), Mike Fredrich (teacher at Cochrane High School in Alberta), Raymond Frogner (Associate Archivist, University of Alberta), Brian Johnston (teacher at Frances Kelsey Secondary in Mill Bay), Alfredo Moon (Supervisor, Service Canada, Nanaimo), and Chuck Nowakowski (Territory Sales Manager for Dare Foods Ltd in Victoria).