For immediate release
January 30, 2012

One on One with the Great One!

It’s One on One with the Great One!  Legendary Canadian hockey player Wayne Gretzky will headline Keyano Foundation’s first annual One on One Banquet presented by the Quality Group of Companies on Friday, May 11 in the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre.

The electrifying news was announced today at a press conference. The event will raise funds for the Huskies Athletics Endowment and solidify Keyano’s role as a centre of sports excellence. In its inaugural year, it will feature Wayne Gretzky in a hot stove format, a four-course dinner, auction items and a display of the largest collection of Wayne Gretzky memorabilia in the world owned by Keyano alum Shawn Chaulk.

L-R: Paul Strand, Huskies Hockey Coach, Dr. Kevin Nagel, President & CEO, Keyano College, Shawn Chaulk, Chair, One on One Organizing Committee, Dale Unruh, Presenting Sponsor, Quality Group of Companies, and Chair, Keyano Foundation Board of Directors, King the Husky and Wade Kolmel, Director, Sport & Wellness, Keyano College.  Photo by:  Sean McLennan, Keyano Photographer.

Dale Unruh, President & CEO, Quality Group of Companies, and Chair, Board of Directors, Keyano Foundation, says it is an honour to be the presenting sponsor for the event.

“Wayne was my childhood idol.  To be able to have him here in support of the Huskies Endowment is great.  This will help our students, the stars and leaders of tomorrow,” enthused Unruh.

The event will feature Kelly Chase as the host with in a hot stove format with Gretzky and some former NHL enforcers from 1999-2000.  The reception will start at 5 p.m. with the once in a lifetime opportunity to view Chaulk’s private collection. The world’s number one NHL trivia expert Liam Maguire will also be in attendance.

Wade Kolmel, Director, Sport & Wellness, Keyano College believes the One on One effort to support the Endowment Scholarship Fund will “impact the students that represent the Huskies, not only in those that will suit up next season, but others that will pick Keyano College well into the future.”

“A College with a strong scholarship program, such as ours, needs these committee efforts to ensure the sustainability of our program.  I am always proud to call Fort McMurray my home, and it is events such as this One on One Banquet that really draw attention to what can be accomplished by bringing together initiative, ideas, and a willingness to give back to your community,” Kolmel added.

Shawn Chaulk, who also chairs the One on One organizing committee is the President of Stratford Homes. He believes this is about giving Huskies athletes the tools and resources to excel.  He is excited to display the Gretzky memorabilia for the first time in Fort McMurray.  The multi-million dollar collection was first displayed in Edmonton last year at a fundraising event for the Kinsmen Club.

Dr. Kevin Nagel, President & CEO, Keyano College, appreciated everyone involved in the conception of this event.

“I can’t think of a better Canadian icon than Gretzky to headline the inaugural One on One Banquet.  A strong athletics program is part of a strong quality education,” he said.

Sponsorships are still available.  Bouchier Contracting, Finning Canada and Hedco Group have already come on board as Diamond Sponsors.

Visit www.keyano.ca/oneonone for further details.

For more information, please contact:
Kiran Malik-Khan
Communications Specialist
Marketing & Communications
Keyano College
780-791-8971
Kiran.Malik-Khan@keyano.ca

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