Brad Wall (right) holding pads for his fighter Cody Jerome (left) while training at Professional Fighting Academy on April 4, 2024.
A new set of six local community champions have been inducted by the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame for 2024, ranging from athletes, builders and special award winners. Starting in 1985, the Hall of Fame serves as a way to recognize and celebrate the achievements of those in the sports community in Lethbridge. Paul Kingsmith, the chair of the LSHOF Board of Directors, says the importance of sports in Lethbridge helps bolster the community.
“Sports play a critical role in the fabric of a community, instilling pride and developing valuable skills. A vibrant sports community is a sign of a thriving community.”
Nominations are taken from any members of the community who feel a specific individual deserves consideration for the LSHOF. The board of directors then meets annually to select that year’s induction class. Factors the board of directors looks at are how the person has represented Lethbridge at the provincial, national or international level as well as those who have made lasting contributions to the community.
One notable figure being inducted this year is Brad Wall, the Professional Fighting Academy owner and coach. As someone who has been involved in the local sports community, Wall was originally a student at PFA before having the keys handed over to him by his good friend and coach Trevor Hardy. In his early days, Wall wanted to compete before eventually embracing the idea of running the academy full-time.
Wall has trained many successful local athletes such as Kate Clements, the WBC Canadian bantamweight champion and Cody Jerome who won a tournament-style competition for a contract with One Fighting Championship. Wall has played a role in developing local talent through both his gym and his promotion, Branded Fighting Championship, which focuses on local talent. Wall was inducted under the athlete classification and says that it is an honour to be recognized but such an important organization.
“It’s an absolute honour,” Wall says. “To be recognized by this organization and the community is really just amazing.”
Wall was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame live during the event of Branded Fighting Championship Three. Kingsmith says Wall was instrumental in developing Muay Thai and Kickboxing in Lethbridge.
“As a two-time middleweight world champion, Brad helped truly put Lethbridge on the map as a kickboxing powerhouse. His athletes have continued his legacy, going on to compete at the national and international levels.”
Alongside Wall, five other figures were inducted into the Hall of Fame such as decorated boxer, Carmen Rinke, soccer coach, Randy Bardock, the speed skating Cooney Family, Michael Tamura and special award winner, Judge John A. Jackson. The annual induction banquet takes place on May 3. For more information, visit LethbridgeSportsHallofFame.ca.