Golden Bears and Pandas 2026–27 Wall of Fame inductees

At the University of Alberta, former alumni join the Wall of Fame housed in the Van Vliet Centre every year. Individuals can be selected for their accomplishments as athletes, teams, coaches, and builders of Golden Bears and Pandas athletics programs. This year, the Sports Wall of Fame had four inductees.

Lindsay McAlpine, Pandas hockey

Lindsay McAlpine completed a double bachelor’s degree in education and physical education in 2007 and her Master of Arts in 2011 at the U of A. During her undergraduate degree, she was a forward for the Pandas hockey program. She ranks fifth in Pandas’ history with 59 goals and 69 assists.

McAlpine received major awards in her final year such as Canadian Intervarsity Sports (CIS) (now U Sports) Player of the Year and championship MVP, Bakewell Trophy recipient, and the top U of A female Academic All-Canadian of the year. Additionally, she was also a five-time CIS Academic All-Canadian, five-time Canada West champion, and four-time CIS national champion.

McAlpine built the MacEwan University Griffins women’s hockey program for 12 seasons, and guided their transition into U Sports. She has also coached the Australian Senior Women’s team to an International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) gold medal. McAlpine is now the associate director of athletics at MacEwan.

Dr. Katie Murray, Pandas rugby

Dr. Katie Murray completed her bachelor of science in mechanical engineering in 2004, a PhD in neuroscience in 2010, and a postgraduate certification in 2019 from the U of A. During her undergraduate career, she played the number eight position for the Pandas rugby team.

Dr. Murray is the all-time leading scorer in Pandas rugby history with 98 points. She has received a variety of awards, including being a four-time CIS and Canada West National Champion, and a three-time CIS Academic All-Canadian. Dr. Murray competed in the Rugby World Cups for Canada in 2002 and 2006 with 25 appearances.

Dr. Murray earned her medical degree from the University of Calgary after her time at U of A, and she now practices as an anesthesiologist in Edmonton.

Diane Rusnak (Patterson), Pandas gymnastics

In 1990, Diane Rusnak (Patterson) completed her bachelor’s degree in commerce, where she also stood out in gymnastics with her star talents on the uneven bars. This resulted in her winning a national all-around champion award.

Rusnak participated in the Panda’s Varsity Gymnastics program from 1985 to 1989. She had a lasting impact as a Panda as the winner of the 1989 Bakewell Trophy, which honours an outstanding female athlete every year. She was also a four-time national All-Canadian, a four-time Canada West team champion, and a two-time national team champion among other major accomplishments.

As an alum, Rusnak has coached and judged gymnastics in Whitehorse. Despite gymnastics no longer being a recognized varsity sport in Canada, her accomplishments will be something for future athletes to look up to.

Neville Wright, Golden Bears Track and Field

Neville Wright completed his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2007 at the university. During his bachelor’s degree, he excelled on the Golden Bears track and field team as a sprinter. He holds the program record in the 60m dash for 6.68 seconds. He received five CIS medals (three gold, one silver, one bronze), as well as male Track Athlete of the Year in 2006, and seven medals (six gold, one silver) in Canada West championships. 

As an alumnus, Wright suffered a hamstring injury and missed out on the 2008 Olympics. Due to this, he looked further into the sports world of bobsleigh. Wright represented Canada at three Winter Games, with a best finish of fifth place.

Now Wright works with the men’s soccer national team as a sprint consultant and performance therapist as they compete at FIFA World Cups.

Student-athletes are talented as they juggle the demands of being a student but also representing themselves in the sport they love. Athletes like McAlpine, Murray, Rusnak, and Wright are examples of what it means to be a student-athlete and excel at that. Their triumphe solidified in history and will displayed for students to look up to on campus.