Mathez to be inducted into Manitoba Softball HOF

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This article was published 05/02/2018 (3090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When it comes to her many sporting successes, Jill Mathez has more than made the grade.

It was recently announced that Mathez, who is the principal of Dakota Collegiate, will be inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame in the athlete category this year. The Glenlawn Collegiate alumna is among eight individuals and two teams that make up the 2018 list of inductees.

Her extensive sporting resume also includes countless achievements and accolades in a number of sports. In 2015 alone, Mathez’s list of honours includes an induction into the Canadian Softball Hall of Fame as a member of the Smitty’s softball team, and an induction into the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association Hall of Fame, as well as being named to the Wall of Fame at Glenlawn.

“I feel honoured to be inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame,” Mathez, 54, told The Lance recently.

“It’s exciting, because softball is one of those sports that focuses so much on the team. I still have so many relationships and friendships from those days, probably more than any other sport, because when you’re building something great together, it’s a wonderful experience. And even though so many years have gone by, you can pick up now where you left off because you’ve been through so much together.”

Raised in St. Vital, Mathez was playing softball by her 8th birthday and starting a career that would see her competing across Canada. Among her career highlights is being part of a legendary Smitty’s senior women’s fastball team that won five gold medals from 1995 to 2000, including the 1995 win that ended a 30-year gold medal drought for the province at the senior women’s championships.

“I’ve been very lucky because I’ve always had people in my life that recognized that sport was important to me, which has helped me find success and salvation,” Mathez said. “Sport has taught me many things, such as how to resolve issues, collaborate with people, visualize an end goal, and be better every day at what I do.”

The Charleswood resident also credits her strong work ethic to her late parents, Louis and Marina, who once owned the iconic former Wagon Wheel restaurant.

“My parents instilled in us that we could achieve anything with a strong work ethic. The most important thing was to show up every day and the second most important thing was to get along with people. These are simple things, but important things. My parents worked in the customer service industry, so they had to get along with people,” Mathez said.

“I had some natural talent, and I worked hard, so I was able to have some success. My goal was always to always try to be better every day.”  

The 17th annual induction banquet — which is organized by the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame & Museum and recognizes individuals, teams, and organizations for outstanding achievement in softball and/or contributions to the sport — will be held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon on May 5.

Contact Les Newman for tickets or more information at lnewman@live.ca or 204-235-1674.