NeveHarms Mark Olson came to Peoria in 1963, and because of his most successful background in hockey in Michigan, he immediately involved himself in the promotion and development of hockey in the Peoria area. He became player-coach of the Pekin Stars from 1964-68, and then in 1971 he provided a leadership role in cooperation with Pete Bardezbanian, his sons, Mike, Rick and Joe, and other volunteers to form the Peoria Blades hockey team. At the same time, Mark gave liberally of his time and talents to further youth hockey in the Peoria area.
Mark was in the front line, associated with other people, to organize, nurture and develop the Continental Hockey League, and then enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing the Peoria Blades win the League championship five times.
Along with other volunteers who worked hard to promote hockey, Mark felt his dream was realized when the professional hockey team, the Peoria Prancers, began play in the Civic Center Arena.
Because of the persistence, interest and unselfish work of Mark and other persons, the Peoria area now has ice rink facilities and talented skaters, so that some day in the future, a figure skating champion or a National Hockey League player could be developed.
Mark places no limit on the application of his volunteer time. He has been active in Little League baseball, the Peoria Pacers, CIC League team and has been president and treasurer of the Independent Sports Club.
Some years ago, Mark and his eight brothers and six sons played as a team against the Peoria Stars for a March of Dimes promotion.
Mark is a graduate of Michigan Tech in engineering and received his Master's Degree in Engineering Administration from Bradley University.
Barb Waddell Waddell has played a prominent role in the advancement of women’s athletics as an athlete, coach and administrator. A 1978 inductee into the Illinois State University Athletics Hall of Fame, Waddell earned 16 varsity letters at ISU, playing basketball, field hockey, softball and volleyball for the Redbirds. After graduation, Waddell continued to compete by playing women’s major fast pitch softball for the Pekin Lettes from 1958-63. She also was a member of the Central Illinois Field Hockey Association and the Midwest Field Hockey Team, earning selection to the second EAM All-National Tournament. She also continued her basketball career as a starter for the Peoria/Pekin Independent AAU Basketball Team that won several Illinois AAU state tournaments and competed in national AAU events. Waddell served as site director for the IHSA state softball tournament in Pekin for 25 years and she was the originator and co-director of the Pekin Lassie League softball program, which is credited with providing youth sports opportunities for girls before high school programs gained varsity status in the 1970s. |