List of Inductees 2000
Wezer
Bridle
Referee
Wezer Bridle started as a star player with the Winnipeg Redskins volleyball team from 1957-1962, one of the top teams in Canada. He continued to play on the Bandits with his sons into his seventies in the Winnipeg Men’s Volleyball League, an organization he was instrumental in starting in the 1960s.
In the late 1950s, he created the Central Y Kids to provide opportunities for young players. In 1965 he coached them to Manitoba’s first Junior National Championship. From this group came the Age Class Development System used today.
In 1968 he was hired as the head coach at the University of Winnipeg, where he led the team to their first Canadian Inter-University Athletic Union (CIAU) titles.
Wezer was best known as a referee, officiating in Canada before the Canadian Volleyball Association was formed, or even had a national certification program. Over 50 years Wezer officiated domestically at many national championships (including 26 consecutively) and CIAU matches, and also represented Canada at various World Championships, Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and NORCECA events. On two different occasions he was Volleyball Canada’s National Officials Chairperson.
Wezer is also recognized as being instrumental in the creation of the Manitoba Volleyball Association, being one of its first presidents, along with the development of the Manitoba Volleyball Officials Association.