The Canada West Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2025-26, recognizing eight inductees across four categories. 

This year's class features four additions in the Athlete category, including a pair of all-time basketball greats in Veronica Den Oudsten (Calgary - Women's Basketball) and Patrick Jebbison (Brandon - Men's Basketball). They are joined by a pair of relatively recent alumni in Iuliia Pakhomenko (Thompson Rivers - Women's Volleyball) and Canadian Olympian Regan Yee (Trinity Western - Cross Country/Track and Field). 

The Builder category recognizes two of the conference's most influential leaders in Dr. Bob Steadward (Alberta) and Dr. Roger Jackson (Calgary). 

Legendary men's volleyball coach Garth Pischke (Manitoba) joins the Coach category after a distinguished 38-year career at the helm of the Bisons. The 1987-89 Brandon Bobcats Men's Basketball dynasty rounds out the class in the Team category.

The Canada West Hall of Fame was established in 2019 to commemorate 100 years of university sporting excellence across Western Canada. All previous inductees can be viewed on the Canada West Hall of Fame website.

Pischke stands as one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in Canadian volleyball history, serving as head coach of the Manitoba Bisons men's volleyball program for 38 seasons before retiring following the 2019-20 campaign.

His transition to coaching came naturally after one of the most notable playing careers in Canadian volleyball history. As a middle blocker, he led the Winnipeg Wesmen to national championships in 1974 and 1977, before joining the Bisons and leading the Herd to a national title in 1978. He also represented Canada at the Olympics in 1976 and 1984. 

Taking over as Bisons bench boss in 1979, the Bisons proceeded to qualify for the U SPORTS National Championship 27 times, including a remarkable stretch of 19 consecutive appearances and 14 straight seasons earning a national medal. His teams captured nine national championships, along with nine silver medals and five bronze medals, establishing Manitoba as one of the most consistent and successful programs in the country.

Beyond wins and championships, Pischke built a program grounded in academic achievement and national-team development. A six-time U SPORTS Coach of the Year, he surpassed 1,300 career victories with the Bisons, while also developing 42 student-athletes that would go on to represent Canada in National Team programs. 

Pischke will be honoured following Manitoba's match against Saskatchewan this Friday at 6 pm.