Ottawa alumni Jo-Anne Polak and Pat Stoqua were inducted into the Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame on May 28th.
Jo-Anne broke major ground in professional sports when she became the first female general manager of a pro team in North America at just 30 years old. She lead the Ottawa Rough Riders through turbulent years, she battled sexist attitudes while striving to keep the CFL franchise afloat. Despite intense pressure and constant doubt from some league insiders, Polak’s leadership not only stabilized the team financially but saw its on-field performance improve. Through it all, she remained focused, using fear as fuel and refusing to be defined by critics who said she didn’t belong.
Her impact sparked visible change within the football community and many were inspired by her trailblazing example. Now an executive at Canada Post and a board member of Football Canada, she continues to champion women’s inclusion in sport. Witnessing the rise of professional women’s athletics fills her with awe, a stark contrast to the early days when women were largely absent from the sports world. Her journey reflects not just personal triumph, but the evolution of a broader cultural shift.
Jo-Anne was inducted along with her husband, Don Campbell. Don is a well-known writer for the Ottawa Citizen but also his decades of work as an Ottawa-Nepean Canadians baseball coach and manager. Always focused on doing what’s best for his players, Campbell has helped dozens of them land scholarships and tryouts.
Jo-Anne’s induction speech can be seen in the video at the link below:
Pat Stoqua has been a celebrated figure in his city’s sports scene for over 50 years. An outstanding two-sport athlete at Lisgar Collegiate and Carleton University, he starred in basketball and football, eventually becoming a CFL fan favourite with the Ottawa Rough Riders. His legendary 102-yard touchdown in the 1981 playoffs remains etched in Ottawa football lore. Beyond athleticism, Stoqua was known for his integrity and sportsmanship—traits that earned him widespread respect from teammates and opponents alike.
After his playing days, Stoqua became a driving force in local sports development. He revitalized Carleton’s football program, raised significant scholarship funds, and coached youth basketball, expanding opportunities for boys and girls alike. His leadership helped triple participation in the Goulbourn Basketball Association and earned him accolades across the province. Even in retirement, Stoqua continues to contribute through fundraising, volunteerism, and mentoring—his legacy rooted in a lifelong passion for sport, community, and giving back.
Pat’s induction speech can be seen by clicking on the link below:
The sold-out event was held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park and was well-attended by our alumni to support these two worthy inductions.
