WATERLOO, Ont. - On Saturday, September 24 the Waterloo Warriors Athletic Department welcomed four new members to their prestigious hall of fame. The event took place in the alumni tent of Warrior Field prior to the Warriors homecoming match against the visiting Windsor Lancers.
The event featured a buffet lunch from The Grill and the ceremony inducting the following members of the Warrior family who have made a significant contribution to Waterloo athletics and beyond:
Kurt Boese (Coach – Wrestling)
Jeff Goldsworthy (Athlete - Badminton)
John Shoniker (Athlete – Football)
Fred Wilder (Athlete – Golf)
Kurt Boese
Wrestling Coach, 1969-1978
Kurt Boese was born in Bremen, Germany where he began wrestling at the age of 10. In 1953 Boese began his wrestling career in Canada where he would flourish as one of Canada's top wrestlers.
In his first year of Canadian completion Boese placed second in both the Ontario and Canadian Championships. He was second in the Ontario Championship again in 1955.
Boese's active wrestling career continued, earning five Canadian championship titles between 1958 and 1963. He represented Canada in the 1960 Olympic Games, the 1962 Commonwealth Games, where he won a bronze medal, and the 1963 Pan American Games where he also captured a bronze.
Boese's coaching career started as soon as he arrived in Canada. For many years he was a coach at the Kitchener YMCA, leading his teams and many individual wrestlers to numerous championships. He was appointed coach of the Ontario Wrestling team for the first Canada Winter Games in 1967, which claimed top spot.
In 1969 Boese began his coaching career at the University of Waterloo. Of the 12 university teams competing for the Ontario university championship at the time, Boese guided the Warriors to three gold medals, one silver medal, and two bronze medals over a span of nine years.
Boese's outstanding qualifications led him to be selected as coach of Canada's Olympic team in 1972 where he coached three of his Warrior athletes Egon Beiler, Pat Bolger, and George Saunders, all current members of Waterloo's athletic hall of fame.
Boese's contributions to wrestling have been recognized by many organizations. He was selected to the Waterloo Regional Hall of Fame and is a member of the Canadian Wrestling Federation's Hall of Fame. Additionally, Boese has been honoured by FILA, the international governing body of amateur wrestling, with one of its highest awards, the Silver Star.
Dr. Jeff Goldsworthy – Badminton
Badminton, 1978-1982
Jeff Goldsworthy was born in Kitchener in 1959 and started playing badminton at the KW Granite Club in 1965. From 1975 – 1978 Goldsworthy was selected to the all-Ontario badminton team and during this time he was twice Ontario High School Champion in singles and once mixed doubles champion.
A former member of the National badminton team, Goldsworthy played for the Warriors from 1978-1982, winning an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) team championship his first season while claiming two silver medals and one gold medal throughout his playing career with Waterloo.
Goldsworthy was a member of the all-Canadian high school badminton team for three years and was the Canadian junior singles and doubles champion in 1978. In 1994 Goldsworthy was a Canadian Masters Champion in the over 35 age category. In 1997 he won the Masters 35+ singles and doubles in the Yonex US Open.
Goldsworthy graduated from Waterloo in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science and completed his doctorate in chiropractic medicine in 1987. He has since opened a chiropractic clinic in Kitchener called the Goldsworthy Chiropractic & Wellness Centre. Goldsworthy with his wife and three children reside in Waterloo.
John Shoniker
Football, 1991-1995
John Shoniker played Warrior football for five years while graduating with an arts degree. The heart and soul of the Warrior defense, Shoniker dressed every regular season game throughout his Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) career.
Shoniker has been described as 'one of the most feared players in the league' and had a pure passion for the sport of football. He was one of the hardest working and most dedicated student-athletes ever to perform for the Warrior football program and his leadership was second to none.
Shoniker sits eighth in all-time Waterloo tackles and third in sacks. He also has the record for the largest weight on the bench press.
While at Waterloo Shoniker was named an OUA first team all-star twice (1993, 1995) and a second team all-star once in 1994. In his final season (1995), Shoniker was named a CIS first team all-Canadian. He also picked up several Waterloo awards as rookie of the year (1991) and best lineman as team captain in 1995.
Shoniker was a member of the Warriors while coached by Candian Football Hall of Fame legend Dave “Tuffy” Knight and current facilities manager
Chris Triantafilou.
John was the most competitive player on the team making all those around him better every practice. His heart and dedication to the team is unparalleled.
Fred Wilder was the backbone of the Waterloo men's golf program from 1972-1976. Coached by long time Waterloo golf coach Jack Pearse, Wilder was not only atop the Ontario University golf scene he was competitive in several Canadian and US Amateur golf tournaments throughout his career.
Wilder was a three time OUA silver medalist (1972,1974,1976) while leading his team to two OUA Championships (1972, 1975). The lefty was always on his game no matter the conditions or course. Wilder was a true leader on and off the course and an inspiration for all of his fellow teammates.
Wilder was also a champion in several invitationals throughout his illustrious career capturing the individual title at the Western Ontario Division Championship in 1976 and winning as a team in the event twice (1972, 1975). He was also a two time individual winner of the Waterloo Invitational.
Wilder has paved a path for greatness in golf for the Waterloo Warriors. His ability to raise his game in the big tournaments separated himself from the rest and he will always be remembered for his passion and commitment to the black and gold.
