The creator of the Lazy Person’s Triathlon, who learned to cross-country ski and snowshoe in the Yukon has become Sport Yukon’s first honourary member.

Ron McFadyen accepted the honour in front of a crowd of local sport enthusiasts, who had gathered at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre to recognize the athletic achievements of the year.

“I was asked to come here; I didn’t know why,” said McFadyen.

He helped launch CKRW in the 1970s and covered local sports for CBC, a familiar voice sharing the territory’s athletic achievements.

After more than 50 years living in the territory, McFadyen is moving to a community outside of Ottawa that has “four seasons.”

Also honoured was Paul Butra, who was inducted into the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame as a builder.

He was welcomed to the stage with a standing ovation from the crowd gathered at tables in the large room, which was decorated with red and green lights and giant snowflakes projected on the walls. Screens on either side of him depicted images of his many avenues of involvement in the basketball community: athlete, coach, official.

“I’m honoured and humbled to be inducted into the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame,” he said.

In the late 1990s, Butra was coaching a boys basketball team at Porter Creek Secondary School when it first became a high school. Since there was no Grade 11 or 12 yet, McFadyen convinced the team –and parents and staff– to compete up. The Grade 9/10 boys team, who had already captured a Grade 8 title, then captured the Grade 11/12 championships. They won five gold medals in their high school careers, a feat that has never been repeated in the Yukon.

He has also seen the “It’s only the Yukon,” mentality change when competing at Outside competitions to, “It’s the Yukon, you better be ready.”

The first award of the night went to Knute Johnsgaard, a cross-country skier who is currently racing the world cup circuit in Europe, for the international male athlete of the year.

His teammate, Dahria Beatty was selected as the female recipient.

Her award was accepted on her behalf, as she is also racing in Europe.

She expressed her thankfulness for being from a community that is supportive and proud of its athletes.

Administrator of the year went to joint recipients Claude Chabot and Joan Stanton, of the Whitehorse Cross-Country Ski Club for organizing the massive Haywood Ski Nationals.

The national/territorial athlete of the year was awarded to figure skater Mikayla Kramer, who competed at Skate Canada Challenge last season.

The male national/territorial athlete of the year was awarded to hockey player Dylan Cozens, who this spring was the first Yukoner to be selected in the first round of the WHL bantam draft.

Team of the year went to the U-13 Peewee Mustangs, who learned how to “Play together and lose together,” said coach Jae Jirousek.

The Coach of the Year award went to Alpine Ski Coach Lisa Vowk.