NAIT Athletics and Recreation is proud to announce the 2026 Ooks Wall of Fame induction class, recognizing four individuals whose contributions have left a lasting impact on the history and success of the Ooks.
This year's class includes former student-athletes Shannon Szabados and Dan Kai, former men's soccer head coach Graham Wood, and long-time athletics leader Gregg Meropoulis. The four inductees represent excellence in competition, coaching, and leadership, helping shape NAIT Athletics into one of Canada's premier collegiate athletic programs.
The 2026 class marks the first Wall of Fame induction in nearly two decades and coincides with the launch of a new digital Wall of Fame, allowing NAIT Athletics to better celebrate and share the stories of its most accomplished student-athletes, coaches, teams, and builders.
"NAIT has had a plethora of outstanding former student-athletes, coaches, and builders throughout its history, and it is important to recognize them," said NAIT Athletics and Recreation Director Jordan Richey. "It has been some time since we last recognized individuals or teams on our Wall of Fame."
Leading the induction class is Shannon Szabados, one of the most accomplished goaltenders in Canadian hockey history. During her time with the NAIT Ooks men's hockey team from 2011 to 2013, Szabados broke down barriers and made history as the first and only female to compete on a men's team in NAIT Athletics history. She helped lead the Ooks to the 2012-13 ACAC Championship, the team's first conference title in 16 years, while setting conference records with a 1.58 goals-against average and five regular-season shutouts. She was also the recipient of the inaugural NAIT Athletic Directors Award.
Joining Szabados is badminton standout Dan Kai, one of the most dominant athletes in collegiate badminton history. Kai captured four ACAC Men's Singles Championships and an incredible five CCAA National Championships during his Ooks career. His sustained excellence earned multiple All-Canadian honours, two CCAA Player of the Year awards, and NAIT Athletics Athlete of the Year recognition in 2013.
"Since there have not been any inductions to the Wall of Fame for 20 years, this first class of four nominees is very special," said Richey. "Our two student-athletes have done something that no one else at NAIT has ever done. Dan Kai won five CCAA National Championships, and Shannon Szabados became the first and only female student-athlete to play on the men's team, not to mention capture an Olympic gold medal after leaving NAIT."
The coaching category welcomes former men's soccer head coach Graham Wood, whose 16-year tenure established a foundation of success that continues to influence the Ooks program today. Under Wood's leadership, the men's soccer team earned eight ACAC medals and three CCAA national medals. He was named ACAC Coach of the Year three times, CCAA Coach of the Year in 2005, and guided teams that earned two ACAC Fair Play Awards.
The Builder category recognizes Gregg Meropoulis, whose nearly 40 years of service helped shape the modern era of NAIT Athletics. Beginning as an outdoor education instructor and women's basketball coach in 1979, Meropoulis spent decades championing student-athletes and supporting the growth of Ooks Athletics. His leadership played a significant role in the evolution of athletics at NAIT and helped establish the strong reputation the department enjoys today.
"Our coach inductee, Graham Wood, established a legacy for our men's soccer program that still exists today," said Richey. "Our builder inductee, Gregg Meropoulis, was a leader with NAIT Athletics for nearly 40 years and is a primary reason why NAIT Athletics has the strong reputation it has today. All four of these inductees are truly special."
The new digital Wall of Fame will provide an opportunity for current and future Ooks student-athletes to learn about those who helped build the department's proud tradition.
"With moving to a digital format for our Ooks Wall of Fame, we hope to be able to celebrate the successes of our student-athletes, coaches, teams, and builders more frequently," said Richey. "There has been a lot of success within NAIT Athletics, and we want to showcase the elite accomplishments of the past to show current Ooks what it means to play at NAIT."
As NAIT Athletics celebrates this year's inductees, the department also recognizes the teammates, coaches, staff, families, and supporters who helped make their accomplishments possible.
"NAIT Athletics would like to thank and congratulate all of this year's inductees into the Wall of Fame," said Richey. "We are incredibly honoured to have had you represent the Ooks and are grateful for your contributions. NAIT Athletics is one big family, and the successes of our Wall of Fame inductees are celebrated among the entire department."