Honourees Span Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympics athletes, Local Builders, and Trailblazers Across Generations
Nepean, ON – August 18, 2025: A silver medal-winning Paralympian, an Olympic swimmer and diver, a Special Olympics dual-sport athlete, and pioneering basketball leaders highlight a diverse and inspiring group of inductees to the Nepean Sports Wall of Fame Class of 2025.
Twelve honourees — spanning a variety of sports and generations — will be officially recognized at an October 23, 2025, ceremony at the Nepean Sportsplex.
“The 2025 class reflects everything the Wall of Fame is meant to celebrate: achievement, perseverance, community, and legacy,” said Andrew Foti, Chair of the Board of Directors. “We’re proud to honour this group and look forward to another memorable evening in October.”
Para canoe athlete Brianna Hennessey, a lifelong Nepean resident, became the first Canadian to win a Paralympic medal in Para canoe with her silver in the VL2 category at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, an accomplishment that also earned her the honour of co-flag bearer at the closing ceremony. Her achievements extend to multiple world championship medals and national titles, after a life-altering accident in 2014 that left her a tetraplegic.
Julie Brousseau, a Paris 2024 Olympian, represented Canada in swimming at just 18 years old, finishing fourth in the 4x200m freestyle relay. She previously won multiple medals at the 2023 Pan American Games and World Junior Championships, following up a record-tying 11-medal haul at the 2022 Canada Summer Games.
Also being honoured in the athlete category:
Kayla Maduk, who captured multiple world championship medals in Taekwon-Do between 2011 and 2015 and has since gone on to mentor the next generation of martial artists through her “Believe” program.
Katie Xu, a dual-sport Special Olympics star in swimming and figure skating, with multiple medals at world and national events, and a standout in mainstream Masters swim competitions.
Kate Miller, an Olympic diver who placed fourth in 10m synchro at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and has already claimed world junior gold and Pan Am silver for Canada.
Mark Moors, a dominant football lineman who starred at Acadia University—winning a Vanier Cup in 1979—and later won a Grey Cup in 1984 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during his 10-year CFL career.
Mike Racicot (aka Treehouse Mike) (deceased), a trailblazing figure in extreme sports and local skateboarding culture, who founded the push for the Walter Baker skatepark and later became a world-renowned BASE jumper before his tragic death in 2018.
One coach is among this year’s inductees:
Tony House, one of Canada’s top basketball coaches, winning multiple National and Provincial championships. He’s also built a national platform for elite basketball development through Canada Topflight Academy and several national circuits.
In the builder category, the Wall welcomes four influential leaders:
Hazel Miner, who revolutionized girls’ basketball in Ottawa by founding the Ottawa Rookies in 1973, a program that led dozens of athletes to provincial, national, and Olympic levels.
David Rattray, a longtime national and local volunteer, community leader, and former Chair of the Nepean Sports Wall of Fame. His legacy includes revitalizing the Wall through digital upgrades, fundraising, and outreach.
Gerry LaPorte, a driving force in lawn bowling at both the local and provincial levels, including serving as president of the Nepean Lawn Bowls Club and advocating for inclusivity within the sport.
Bill Mantle (deceased), who co-founded the Nepean Sailing Club in the late 1970s, helping establish a recreational landmark along the Ottawa River that continues to serve thousands of community members each year.
The October 23, 2025, induction ceremony takes place at the Nepean Sportsplex from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are free, but registration is required. Register here to reserve your spot and join us in honouring the Class of 2025!
The Nepean Sports Wall of Fame continues to build on its 2022 rebranding efforts, including a dynamic digital wall display at the Nepean Sportsplex, a bilingual, accessible website, and a more inclusive nomination process that actively seeks community input.
The organization is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors committed to honouring, preserving, and celebrating Nepean’s sporting excellence through the principles of Excellence, Community, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Pour en savoir plus, visitez le site nepeansportswalloffame.org and follow us on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
