Alumni - Wall of Fame
The Mariners Athletics Wall of Fame recognizes athletes, teams, and builders who have made significant contributions to the Mariners program.
To advance a nomination for the Mariners Athletics Wall of Fame, please download, fill out, and submit our Wall of Fame nomination form to the VIU Department of Athletics & Recreation.
MIKE ARMSTRONG - BUILDER
Mike was a professor in the Malaspina/VIU Physical Education department from 1977 to 2013. A former Mariner athlete, Mike won gold for soccer in 1971 and 1972 and for hockey at the BC Festival of Winter Sports in 1973. Mike coached Mariners Soccer for 13 years in total. He was a co-coach of the 1983 Mariner Men’s Soccer team winning provincial gold and Malaspina’s first gold at the CCAA National Championship. Mike went on to coach Women’s Soccer from 1985-1989, collecting 1 bronze, 2 silver and a gold medal at the BCCAA championships. Always a strong advocate for Mariner Athletics, Mike firmly believes that sport is an essential component to a well-rounded education.
GEORGE MACPHERSON - BUILDER
George was an instructor at Malaspina in the business program from 1970-90. He was instrumental in developing the school's first hockey team. (Back then, the Malaspina teams were called the Islanders.) He coached the team from 1971-1981 and won the mid-Island hockey league and playoffs in 1972 and a gold medal at the BC Festival of Winter Sport in Kamloops in 1973, defeating Cariboo College 4-3 in OT. George also helped to establish the name “Mariners” in 1977 in order to avoid any confusion with the nearby Nanaimo District Secondary School Islanders.
DANIELLE GAUDET - ATHLETE
Danielle Gaudet, an all-star setter, was the first student-athlete in the Canada to be named a four-time CCAA All-Canadian. During her varsity career, she never lost a game on home court and accumulated two national silver medals and one national bronze medal. Other accolades and accomplishments include a CCAA National Player of the Year award, three provincial (conference) gold medals, two CCAA Academic All-Canadian awards, three conference MVP awards, four conference First Team All-Star awards, two Mariners Athlete of the Year awards, two provincial tournament MVP awards, and three CCAA tournament all-star awards.
Now the Director of Athletics & Recreation at VIU, Danielle was named CCAA Athletic Director of the Year in 2023.
MARK SIMPSON - COACH
Mark served as Mariners men's basketball head coach for 10 years from 1990-2000 and built a nationally respected program. In 1994, his team won the CCAA national championship, the first team to do so from the B.C. conference (then BCCAA, now PACWEST). After his Wall of Fame induction, he returned to the Mariners men's basketball program as an assistant coach and helped VIU capture another CCAA national championship in 2019.
Mark is a life-long teacher, coach, and mentor who has guided his players to achieve greatness that they themselves may never have believed possible.
1983 MARINERS MEN'S SOCCER - TEAM
The first CCAA national championship for a Mariners team was earned in 1983 by the men’s soccer team: unbeatable all season long. On the road to the Canadian Championship, the Mariners scored 49 goals in the regular season and playoffs while conceding only 6. Throughout the 1983 season, co-coaches Mike Armstrong and Les Malbon stressed team spirit, unity, and defence. The system was a success as the Mariners shutout their opponents 11 times.
The overall record for the season was 12 wins and 6 ties. The National Championships were held at Capilano College and the Mariners defeated Seneca College 1-0 in the title game to earn gold.
BOB DEBUYSSCHER - BUILDER
Bob DeBuysscher was the only inductee into the Wall of Fame in 2010.
Bob was instrumental in developing Mariners athletics and physical education programs at Malaspina. He also coached the Mariners golf team to three provincial titles.
