SFU star Jessica Kaczowka inducted into CW Hall of Fame
One of the greatest players in Simon Fraser University history named to the CW Hall of Fame Class of 2023-24
April 23, 2024 - Considered one of the greatest players in program history, former Simon Fraser University women's basketball star Jessica Kaczowka has been named to the Canada West Hall of Fame's Class of 2023-24.
A forward originally from Regina, Sask., Kaczowka enjoyed a remarkable run of dominance in the early 2000s, leading Simon Fraser's transition from a powerhouse NAIA program to a dynasty in Canada West and CIS.
Kaczowka is the fourth member of this season's Hall of Fame class to be inducted, joining the Manitoba Bisons Men's Volleyball 1977-85 Dynasty and Bisons women's volleyball star Kathy Preston, as well as the Alberta Pandas Gymnastics 1988-91 Dynasty.
Additional members of the CW Hall of Fame Class of 2023-24 will be announced in the coming weeks.
Kaczowka's legacy enshrined with CW Hall of Fame induction
Kaczowka's brilliance on the court led SFU to tremendous team success in two different conferences throughout her student-athlete career, highlighted by a CIS national championship in 2002.
She was an impact player from the moment she hit the court in 1998, being named an NAIA All-American in her freshman and sophomore campaigns while leading Allison McNeill-coached SFU to the NAIA championship game in both seasons.
As the team transitioned to Canada West play in 2000-01, she was named a second-team Canada West All-Star in her first year of CIS competition.
She elevated her game to new heights during a remarkable 2001-02 campaign under the guidance of first year head coach Bruce Langford. Kaczowka led SFU to an undefeated 35-0 record, earning Canada West Most Valuable Player and national CIS Player of the Year honours. The season culminated in a national title, with Kaczowka recording a double-double with 28 points in a CIS championship game win over Laval.
She capped off her career by once again winning Canada West MVP and CIS Player of the Year honours in 2002-03, also winning the SFU Female Athlete of the Year award.
During her five years at SFU, Kaczowka led the team in scoring three times, with two seasons ranking in the top 10 in program history. She recorded a total of 2,490 points while recording a sparkling average of 19.7 points-per-game, both of which rank second on SFU's all-time list. She is also second in SFU's record book in career field goals, field goal percentage and free throws.
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. This year's induction class will be unveiled throughout the 2023-24 season.