For the second time this year, Brock University will tip its hat to influential figures who have helped to shape sport across Canada and in the Niagara region.
Following a ceremony held last month, the University will honour a new group of inductees to the Badgers Hall of Fame on June 14, celebrating their legacy in sport at Brock and beyond.
Among the honourees is Andrew Tinnish (BRLS '99, BSM '01), Vice-President of International Scouting and Baseball Operations with the Toronto Blue Jays, who was Brock's 2000 Male Athlete of the Year. The three-time All-Canadian, who began his time with the Jays as a Brock Sport Management intern, helped the Brock Badgers baseball program win two national titles within the first five years of the team's existence.
Also set to be honoured is former Olympian and Brock's winningest women's basketball coach, Chris Critelli; former Brock men's lacrosse midfielder Sandy Chapman (BSc '05, MSc '09), who helped guide the program to four straight national titles before a 17-year career in the National Lacrosse League; Brad Rootes (BPhEd '07), the first-ever Mr. Basketball Niagara who led the Badgers to a national championship in 2007-08; and Christina Giannini (BPhEd '00, BEd '01), a decorated Brock athlete who in 2000 became the University's first women's soccer player to earn a Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (now known as U SPORTS) First Team All-Canadian selection.
Joining the individual inductees will be the Brock Generals men's hockey teams from 1965-69 who built the program from the ground up. Since its inception, the program has made four national championship appearances and produced more than 50 players who went on to play professionally, including five who signed in the National Hockey League.
"Welcoming the second set of inductees in the 2026 class is special," said Brock Sports and Recreation Executive Director
Melissa Krist. "This group represents the very best of what being a Badger is about: dedicated athletes, influential coaching and teams that helped shape the foundation of our programs. We look forward to honouring their contributions and the legacy they've built here at Brock and beyond."
Open to the community, the celebration will take place on Sunday, June 14 at Amici's Banquet and Conference Centre in Thorold. Tickets for the event can be purchased
online.
The
first Class of 2026 induction ceremony was held April 26, with the Badgers recognizing two builders, seven former Brock wrestlers and three men's wrestling teams.
The Class of 2026 Brock Badgers Hall of Fame June inductees:
- Chris Critelli (Coach)
- Sandy Chapman (BSc '05, MSc '09) (Athlete)
- Christina Giannini (BPhEd '00, BEd '01) (Athlete)
- Brad Rootes (BPhEd '07) (Athlete)
- Andrew Tinnish (BRLS '99, BSM '01) (Athlete)
- 1965-66 Brock Generals men's hockey team (Team)
- 1966-67 Brock Generals men's hockey team (Team)
- 1967-68 Brock Generals men's hockey team (Team)
- 1968-69 Brock Generals men's hockey team (Team)
