Mustangs Backcourt Club Announces 2012 Hall of Honour Inductees

1951-52 Mustangs

LONDON, Ont. – Bruce Dempster (1969-71), Ross Hurd (1979-84) and the 1951-52 Western Mustangs basketball team have been named as the 2012 Hall of Honour Inductees. The announcement was made by the Mustangs Backcourt Club over the weekend on Alumni Day for Western’s men’s team.

Dempster, who played for the Mustangs from 1969-71, was a two-time OUA all-star, as well as a two-time All-Canadian, being named to the second team in 1970 and the first team in 1971. He was named team most valuable player during both those seasons. In 1970, Dempster captained the Canadian National Team that participated in the World Championships and finished 10th overall.

Hurd, a Mustang from 1979-84, was a four-time OUA West all-star, earning second team honours in 1981 and first-team recognition from 1982-84. During each of those four seasons, he was named Western’s team MVP. Over his five-year career, Hurd posted an OUA record 703 rebounds and averaged 13.8 points per game. He was a 1984 OUA West champion and went on to win the Dr. Claude Brown trophy that season.

The 1951-52 Mustangs team also earned induction into the Hall of Honour over the weekend. After posting a perfect 8-0 record during regular season play, that squad went on to sweep the University of Alberta in a best-of-five Canadian Intercollegiate Championship series. The 1951-52 team also played in an Olympic qualifier, losing 3-1 in a best-of-five series against the Tillsonburg Livingstons.

The official 2012 Hall of Honour induction will take place Saturday, March 31 at the annual Mustangs Backcourt Club Awards Dinner. For more information, contact Mustangs head coach Brad Campbell: bcampbe5@uwo.ca.

2011 Mustangs Backcourt Club Hall of Honour Inductees

Bruce Dempster (1969-71)
 - Two-time All-Canadian -- 1971 (1st team), 1970 (2nd team)
 - Two-time OUA All-Star
 - Two-time Team MVP (1970 & 1971)
 - Member of 1970 Canadian National Team (captain) which participated in the World Championships and finished 10th

Ross Hurd (1979-84)
 - Four-time OUA West All-Star -- 1982-84 (1st team), 1981 (2nd team)
 - Four-time Team MVP (1981-84)
 - Finished with a career 703 rebounds (an OUA record)
 - Averaged 13.8 ppg over 5 seasons  
 - 1984 OUA West Champion
 - Dr. Claude brown Trophy Winner 84
 - Mustangs Purple Blanket Winner

1951-52 Team
 - 8-0 league record,
 - Beat University of Alberta (3-0) in Best-of-5 Canadian Intercollegiate Championship
 - Lost to Tillsonburg Livingstons (3-1) in Best-of-5 Olympic qualifier

Team Members
 Coach – John Metras
 Manager- Bud Obal
 Don Prowse
 Chris Ellis
 Larry Kozak
 Bernie McManus
 Wendell Wigle
 Walt Karabin
 Glen Pettinger   
 Bill Pataky
 Doug McNichol
 Ray Truant
 Don Osborne
 Bob Ford
 Jim Hart