Kathy Shields has lived her life with feet firmly planted on gym courts 鈥� one is even named in her honour 鈥� but the former University of Victoria basketball coach said she has always been fascinated by space.
So it was with even greater delight that Shields accepted her investiture into the Order of sa国际传媒 from Gov. Gen. Julie Payette on Wednesday at Government House.
鈥淥ur Governor General was an astronaut, so for me, it felt absolutely amazing to meet her and for her to be part of the investiture,鈥� said Shields.
Shields was named to the Order of sa国际传媒 in 2016 but has been unable to travel to Ottawa to be invested because of health.
鈥淲hen they told me they could do it here in Victoria, I was so grateful,鈥� said Shields.
鈥淎nd then to meet our new Governor General topped it all off and was so cool.鈥�
Payette the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Meritorious Service Decorations, Decorations for Bravery, the Polar Medal and the Sovereign鈥檚 Medal for Volunteers. Shields was the lone Order of sa国际传媒 recipient invested during the ceremony at Government House.
鈥淚 was so inspired listening to everybody鈥檚 stories,鈥� said Shields.
Shields joins husband Ken Shields as a member of the Order of sa国际传媒.
鈥淭hat makes it even more special,鈥� she said.
鈥淭his is the greatest honour I have received.鈥�
Kathy Shields guided the UVic women鈥檚 basketball team to eight national titles in the 1980s and 1990s. Ken Shields coached the UVic men鈥檚 basketball team to seven consecutive national championships in the 1980s.
Both Ken and Kathy also coached the Canadian national men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 teams, respectively.
鈥淚t is at a moment like this that you think of all the people you share this with,鈥� said Kathy Shields.
The basketball floor in the CARSA gym on the UVic campus, home of the Vikes teams, is named Ken and Kathy Shields Court.
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