Iwanoczko excelled as student-athlete

EDMONTON – In a life far too short, Dale Iwanoczko is still remembered for maximizing every moment that he had.

Iwanoczko was the ultimate student-athlete at the University of Manitoba, where he excelled on the volleyball court and in the classroom. His outstanding university career was honoured Friday, as he was named as the latest inductee in the Canada West Hall of Fame.

As a setter for the Bisons from 1986 to 1991, Iwanoczko became the first male volleyball player to be named All-Canadian four straight seasons, including during his rookie of the year season in 1986-87 and his CIAU MVP season of 1990-91.

Academically, Iwanoczko made the Dean’s Honour Roll when he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1989 and was the recipient of the Family of Medicine Award in 1993 when he received his doctorate in medicine. 

The Selkirk, Man. native represented Canada at the 1987 World Junior Championship in Saudi Arabia, the 1991 World University Games in England and the Pan Am Games in Cuba. 

After a courageous 14-month battle with Hodgkin’s Disease, Iwanoczko passed away on Sept. 15, 1998, just two days after his 30th birthday. 

His legacy lives on through the U SPORTS men’s volleyball award for student-athlete community service.

To read more about Iwanoczko's career, click here.

ABOUT THE CANADA WEST HALL OF FAME

For the last century, organized university sport has been a central part of the student experience at institutions across Western Canada. Beginning with the University of Manitoba capturing the first Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (WCIAU) men's hockey banner in 1919-20, student-athletes have been competing to reach their full potential in sport and the classroom, while enriching campus life. 

To commemorate 100 years of university sport across Western Canada, the Canada West Hall of Fame was created in the spring of 2019, with the first induction class set to be unveiled throughout the 2019-20 season. 

VISIT: CanadaWestHallofFame.org