Rhiannon LEIER-BLACHER
Swimming/Athlete
Born in Regina, Leier-Blacher moved to
Winnipeg and swam for the MB Marlins
from 1992-95. Training with the MB
National Swim Centre, she represented
both the Marlins and Manta Swim
clubs from 1998-2004. She swam for
the University of Miami in Florida
from 1995-99. Leier-Blacher won 13
Canadian titles, and set four national
senior records specializing in 50m and
100m breaststroke and 4x50m medley
relays. At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney,
she placed 11 in the world in the 100m
breaststroke following that up in 2004
at the Athens Olympics with a 12 place
finish. She was named Canadian Female
Swimmer of the Year in 2004.
John REILLY Rugby/
Builder
The Hall’s first
inductee from rugby,
John (Kiwi) Reilly was
co-founder of the
Brandon Barbarians
Rugby Football Club
in 1981 and served on
the executive for 28
years. He was a force
in the development of
rugby in Western Manitoba. Foll
owing his death in 2009, the nor
th
pitch of Brandon’s Canada games
Rugby Park was re-named Reilly
Field in recognition of his many
contributions to the game. An
outstanding player, Reilly played
wing as well as hooker. He was
co-chair of the National U-18 Cha
mpionships and helped develop
the fields for the 1997 Canada Sum
mer Games in Brandon.
1971-74 University
of Winnipeg
Wesmen Volleyball/
Team
The University of
Winnipeg Wesmen
were one final
win away from six
consecutive CIAU
(now CIS) titles when
Wezer Bridle led the
1968-69 squad to their first title and a second place
finish in 1969-70. Jerry Ilchyna, Glen Conly, Dennis Nord
and Larry Kich would take over the coaching reins in the
1970s, and the Wesmen won four consecutive national
championships fro