Willie and Mel Olson

Hall of Fame

Sports took them from local courts and fields to the Canada Games and back; Willie and Mel Olson are whole heartedly deserving of the recognition of what they’ve accomplished to keep basketball and softball growing in the Yukon.

Willie played basketball in the Whitehorse Women’s League from 1962 to 1980. She was chosen to represent our territory and compete in the Canada Games in 1967, and went on to play on the team for successive Arctic Winter Games (1970, ‘72 and ‘74). Willie never did retire from the sport as she stayed courtside by transitioning into coaching.  

Mel was also an avid fan of basketball. He played in the Whitehorse Men’s League from 1962 to 1978.  Over the same period he was active coaching in the Whitehorse Women’s League (1964 to 1978). Mel coached the Yukon Women’s Basketball team at the 1967 Canada Games.

The couple’s passion for inclusion in sport went on behind the scenes as well, sponsoring softball teams for years.