Sports columnist Darrell Davis inducted to Regina Sports Hall of Fame

Sportswriter Darrell Davis has been announced as an inductee into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame.

The longtime columnist and Green Zone contributor is set to be inducted as a multi-sport builder due to decades of service in Regina’s sports community as a participant, baseball coach administrator, hockey referee and media member. Davis is also being recognized for his work on several volunteer boards, including Racquetball Canada and the Regina Sports Hall of Fame itself which he stepped down from.

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On Monday’s Green Zone, Davis said he was exceptionally proud and honoured to receive the distinction, especially knowing about and even covering some of the others who have been inducted in the past.

“It’s such an honor to be in with the people I’ve admired over the years,” he said. “It really became an emotional moment … Today it kind of hit me that wow, this is pretty special.”

Davis praised other 2024 inductees who he had the pleasure of knowing such as Dirk Graham (athlete, hockey), Jessica Frotten (athlete, para athletics) as well as past inductees like Doug Simon (baseball).

Davis will also get to join his late father Lorne Davis in the hall of fame.

“It’s a heartfelt day,” Davis said.

Davis is one of four builders set to be inducted in the 2024 class, along with two athletes.

“I was a pretty good referee, but I wasn’t a very good hockey player. I’m an okay racquetball player, but I’m nowhere near where these other guys are, and you start playing, and then you start thinking, ‘You know what, somebody’s got to organize this tournament. Somebody’s got to put this together. Somebody’s got to coach this baseball team,” Davis said.

“If you don’t have the builders, you don’t have a place for these great athletes to play or produce, so I became a builder. I’m inducted as a builder – I’m proud of that. Sure, we’d all love to be athletes, but maybe I helped somebody along the way, and that’s pretty cool to think about it.”

The Regina Sports Hall of Fame started its annual induction process in 2003 and has added new members every year since with exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The addition of the 2024 class brings the number of members up to 126, including 55 builders, 50 athletes, 14 teams and seven patrons. There are also 150 honourary members who had been recognized by the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

The hall’s 21st induction ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 10 at the Conexus Arts Centre at 8:15 p.m.

Tickets are available online.