List of Inductees 2001
Mary
Macdonald
Athlete
Mary Macdonald’s accomplishments in the sport of volleyball occurred at a time when the highest honour for a Canadian volleyball athlete was to win the National Championships.
She won her first Championship in 1959 and went on to win another four consecutive titles with the Toronto V-Club before moving to Vancouver, building the Alums volleyball Club, and winning again in 1964 and 1966. At every Championship Mary was voted to the All-Star Team, and was the MVP in 1964 and 1966. Mary also garnered All-Star status while competing in the American National Volleyball Championships (Philadelphia, 1962) – the first foreigner to do so.
Mary’s strength and tenacity changed the way women were playing the sport of volleyball during the late 50’s and early 60’s. Mary not only impacted the sport of volleyball, she also played on the National Basketball Team. In 1964, Mary was voted the MVP of the Canadian National Volleyball and Basketball Championships – technically the best athlete in the country, a feat unmatched by any other athlete.
Mary went on to coach volleyball as a high school teacher for over 35 years, mentoring and coaching some of the top female athletes ever to play volleyball. Mary Macdonald is a true pioneer of the sport.