Volleyball Canada announced their latest 2024 Hall of Fame inductees, which consists of a mix of builders and athletes. Among them is Olympian and Saskatoon local, Gavin Schmitt.

According to a Volleyball Canada release, Schmitt, and the four other individuals being inducted, exemplify the winning Volleyball Canada spirit, leading on and off the court, bettering the sport for all Canadians.

In grade 11, Schmitt stepped back from his involvement in sport and focused on his part-time job. A choice that later led him to represent Team Canada, explore a career as a professional volleyball player and become one of Canada’s most dominant attackers.

While at work, a provincial coach noticed Schmitt’s 6’10” height and asked if he had any interest in exploring volleyball. After some convincing from his mother, Schmitt got involved in volleyball his senior year of high school which led to his pursuit of the sport at university level.

After a one-year stint with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Schmitt moved to Red Deer College, where he helped the program win its eighth-straight national title. Following university, he represented Team Canada from 2007-2016, making program history as one of the most successful eras.

Within his impressive resume, Schmitt played professionally in Turkey, Russia, Greece, France and South Korea, in addition he claimed a bronze medal at the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games and helped Canada qualify for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio, where they finished in fifth place.

Schmitt alongside the four other inductees will be honoured on June 5 in Ottawa.