Five former Windsor Lancers head to the school’s Alumni Hall of Fame.

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Five former Windsor Lancers from five sports are headed to the school’s Alumni Hall of Fame.

Track and field’s Tracy Higgs, football’s Damian Porter, Jordie Preston, from men’s hockey, Greg Surmacz, from men’s basketball, and Kyle Williamson, from men’s volleyball, will be inducted at a ceremony on Sunday at the Alumni Auditorium in the CAW Student Centre.

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“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited or felt proud for the recognition for sure,” Williamson said. “More than anything, I feel immense gratitude for not just the induction, but the privilege of having been able to be involved in varsity athletics. That has been a pivotal part of my life and really shaped who I am today in so many ways. I really thank God and give him all the glory.”

A 1996 graduate, Higgs was a two-time gold medalist at the national level in the women’s 60-metre hurdles and the 4×200-metre relay and also won four gold medals at the conference level. A team captain, Higgs was a member of five national championship teams during her career.

A 2001 graduate, Porter was an Olympic Shield winner as the school’s male athlete of the year.

A linebacker, Porter was named OUA defensive player of the year in 2000 and was a three-time conference all-star while also earning all-Canadian honours in two campaigns.

“It is great to be recognized for the contributions my teammates and I made to the football program,” said Porter, who earlier was inducted into the Gino Fracas Wall of Honour and named to the Lancer all-time football team as one of its greatest players. “I’m looking forward to being back on campus just for the nostalgia.”

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In four seasons with the Lancers, Preston posted 54 goals and 129 points in 100 games, which ranks him ninth in the school’s all-time scoring list. In 2006-07, Preston captured the Bill L’Heureux Trophy as the OUA’s player of the year after leading the country in scoring with 26 goals and 55 points in 28 games while also earning all-Canadian and OUA all-star status.

“After feeling a little disappointed by my junior career ending, I came to the University of Windsor and under coach (Vern) Stenlund found joy in the sport again,” Preston said. “I came to realize there was still a path to professional hockey and was lucky enough to do so for a few years after graduating.

“I’m looking forward to seeing people I haven’t seen in a while, most of all, and showing my kids where I spent four great years of my life.”

From 2006-09, Surmacz was a dominant force for the Lancers. Another former Olympic Shield winner as Lancer male athlete of the year, Surmacz was a two-time All-Canadian election and a three-time OUA all-star while also earning OUA men’s basketball most valuable player honours. Surmacz’s contributions helped the Lancers reach the OUA Wilson Cup provincial championship and a spot at the national tournament in 2007.

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An Essex high school product, Williamson was a standout at outside hitter for the Lancers. 

Williamson was first Lancer to ever earn all-Canadian status and was the OUA men’s volleyball player of the year in 2011. He was a two-time all-Canadian selection, a three-time OUA all-star and also an Olympic Shield winner as the school’s male athlete of the year.

“My closest friends today are the core group of guys I played with during my time in Windsor,” said Williamson, who lives in LaSalle. “So, we’re often reliving the glory days if you will.

“Any memories I think back on most revolve around the time spent with the guys on the team, travelling together on weekends, hanging out before and after practice. That time, as an athlete, holds more value than anything else to me and something that, if I could share perspective with any other current varsity athletes, I’d tell them not to take it for granted.”

Along with five new inductees, the Lancers’ 2014 Queen’s Cup OUA men’s hockey championship team will be recognized with the Hall of Fame’s Team Achievement Award.

The title was just the second in the program’s history after a 3-2 win over McGill that included a 50-save performance by goalie Parker Van Buskirk and goals from Evan Stibbard, Mac McDonnell and Kenny Bradford.

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