2009 Hall of Fame

Coach

  • Gordon Graves
    Gordon Graves

    Gordon Graves started his teaching career 30 years ago in Big Valley. He taught and coached for three years there before transferring to Bentley School. Gordon Graves has been employed at Bentley School for the past twenty-seven years, in which twenty-five of those years he served as vice principal. Gord is retiring from the teaching profession at the end of June 2009. He has given thirty years of servant leadership to the youth and teachers during his career. During his teaching career, Gord has taught physical education, art and math. He also coordinates the work experience and RAP program.

    Throughout his career, Gord coached a variety of school sports including cross country, volleyball, basketball, and track and field. Numerous accomplishments highlight Gord’s long service as a coach. He has successfully hosted two basketball 1A provincial championships and had many cross country and track and field athletes compete at the provincial level. In June 2008 his track and field team was the 1A Zone and Provincial champions.

    Gord has served unselfishly, with honour and respect, and his “bottom line” has always been “what’s in the best interest of the students”. This has been true in his classroom instruction, coaching and administration. His long service record is punctuated by a loyalty and dedication to the students of rural Alberta, promoting skills, perseverance, and sportsmanship which has served students over the course of thirty years. Gord’s positive and tremendous impact on the youth of our province deserves to be recognized by having the Alberta Schools’ Sports Hall of Fame as the final punctuation mark in a long, dedicated and brilliant career.

  • Susan Moncks
    Susan Moncks

    Susan (Sanden) Moncks started her education in Hussar where she played volleyball on her school teams. After graduating, she went to the University of Calgary where she played volleyball as a Dino from 1978 to 1983.

    Susan started teaching and coaching in 1983 in Standard. During her very first season she helped coach with Ed Cornet and they lead the team on to be Provincial champs in 1983. She then repeated this with another Provincial win in 1984 and a silver medal in 1985. Susan continued to coach from 1983 to 1988 at the high school level.

    Susan married Randy Moncks in 1986. Randy was also a U of C volleyball player during those same years. He became a teacher in Manyberries for his first three years and then in 1986 began to teach and coach in the Golden Hills division also. In March of 1988, they had their first daughter, Kathryn, then Sarah in 1990, and twin girls, Kristen and Lauren in 1992. In 1997, Susan returned to coach at the Jr. High level and has continued to coach ever since. In 2003, when Kathryn entered high school, Susan returned to high school coaching and Randy came to Standard to help with the Jr. High program, assisting in building the program for the other girls. Susan has shown the girls the determination and skills necessary to win the last 6 Provincial championships and next year she is looking for number 7, with her twins being in grade 12. Two of her girls are currently playing volleyball for the U of C.

    Susan has taught at various elementary positions for the last 26 years and is also currently the associate principal at Standard School. She is a great role model for the students as she has her level 2 coaching certificate and she and Randy developed and coach club volleyball for players in their division and area. As well she still plays for the Alberta Masters Volleyball Team travelling to various parts of North America for these competitions.

    It is wonderful to have such a talented and inspirational leader in our small rural 1A school.