Behind the Blocks

April 1, 2026

For more than 60 years, the K of C Saskatchewan Indoor Games have celebrated world-class and amateur athletes alike

By Quinton Amundson

April 1, 2026

Brandon Harris settles into the starting blocks for a practice run prior to a race at the K of C Indoor Games in Saskatoon on Jan. 23. — Returning 60-meter medalist Brandon Harris of the United States settles into the starting blocks for a practice run prior to a race at the K of C Indoor Games in Saskatoon on Jan. 23. (Photo by Owen Woytowich)

Thunderous rattling echoes across a wooden track as the pungent aroma of cooking grease and onions suffuses the air. Spectators, dazzled by their close proximity to Olympic and world champion athletes, recall how U.S. pole vaulter Bob Seagren seemed nearly in the rafters when he set a then-world-record vault of 17 feet, 1 inch.

Six decades later, the sounds, smells and sights of Saskatoon’s old downtown arena — venue of the Knights of Columbus Saskatchewan Indoor Games from 1965 to 1980 — remain vivid memories for athletes, volunteers and track and field enthusiasts.

“It was very special,” said Diane Jones-Konihowski, a pentathlete who represented Canada at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics and competed in the first 16 indoor games. “You would come away with a headache because of the athletes pounding on the wooden track. We had world-class shot putters come and compete, and their shot puts traveled over half of the indoor field — it was pretty scary sometimes. It was also very noisy and exciting.”

An athlete competes in the pole vault during the Knights of Columbus Indoor Games. (Photo by Owen Woytowich)

The inaugural meet, which took place Dec. 3-4, 1965, was hosted by the local track community and the Saskatchewan Jubilee and Centennial Corporation to mark 60 years since the province joined Confederation. The Knights of Columbus assumed full sponsorship in 1966 and gradually took on greater logistical oversight. The 2026 competition, held Jan. 22-24, marked the 59th meet; the only cancellations were in 2021 and 2022 due to COVID-19.

A dedicated group of at least 100 Knights from around the province show up each year because of the character-building values the meet promotes for children and athletes with disabilities.

“It shows them what the Olympians have done in their life and what the children are capable of doing,” said Neil Mooney, a former district deputy and past grand knight of St. Anne’s Council 8638, who has volunteered at the Games for more than 44 years. “You want to instill the nature of an athlete within them because it can help them deal with challenges and accomplish great things in daily life.”

SHOWING UP — ON AND OFF THE TRACK

Ever since Bob Seagren’s pole vault world record, the Knights of Columbus Saskatchewan Indoor Games have attracted top international athletes such as John Thomas — the two-time U.S. Olympic medalist and world-record holder in the high jump who competed in the 1967 games.

The games have also launched athletic careers. Arnold Boldt, a leg amputee, competed in the 1976 meet and went on to win seven gold medals at the Paralympic Games. Saskatoon native Cyprian Enweani won the bantam long jump at the 1977 games before representing Canada at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Another local athlete, Kelsie Hendry, won the invitational pole vault and later competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

The K of C Indoor Games have also served as a springboard for athletic careers off the track. Lesa Mayes-Stringer placed second in the bantam long jump at the 1981 games before representing Canada in the Bobsleigh World Cup and becoming one of the top 10 women’s bobsleigh pilots worldwide.

From right, Past State Deputy Larry Packet of Saskatchewan leads the Canadian national anthem, joined by Past Grand Knight Gil Wist of Denis Mahoney Council 8215, president of the Knights of Columbus Indoor Games planning committee; Richard Devon, a former district deputy; and others. (Photo by David Stobbe)

After the event relocated to the Saskatoon Field House at the University of Saskatchewan in 1980, the atmosphere remained electric, but the ambiance changed as spectators shifted from the field itself — where they had crowded around the athletes — to bleachers on the sidelines. The games increasingly became a family affair.

Over time, the K of C Indoor Games evolved to offer youth — and for several decades, Special Olympics athletes — the chance to participate not just as spectators but as competitors. Complementing the 600 amateur and international athletes competing at this year’s meet were 2,000 elementary students from 400 schools who took part in relay races.

In addition to these ever-popular races, kids compete in other running, jumping and throwing events the day before the adult competitions begin — and they feel like stars with nearly 4,000 people in the stands cheering on their efforts.

Martin Cey, honorary meet director of the 2026 games, was awed by the student event when he first started volunteering nearly 30 years ago.

“I just couldn’t believe the excitement of the children running, and the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles in the stands,” said Cey, a member of St. Philip Neri Council 9539 in Saskatoon. “And then to see these world-class athletes perform was all new to me.”

Four of the enthusiastic youngsters during those early years of his involvement were Cey’s own daughters.

This year, Cey served as a driver, chauffeuring athletes such as Sarah Mitton, the Canadian shot putter and two-time defending champion at the World Indoor Championships. In addition to competing in the games, Mitton was the guest speaker at the closing awards banquet, where she urged young athletes to see sport as a communal venture: “Tonight, my challenge for you is to send a text or a phone call to someone in your village and let them know how much you appreciate them showing up for you every day — whether it be on or off the track.”

Helping aspiring athletes build character by putting them in touch with established pros has always been a goal of the Knights’ sponsorship of the games. For many years, athletes visited inner-city schools — a program replaced in 2023 by student assemblies with the athletes at the field house — and the visits often induced awe among students, Cey said.

“We brought outstanding athletes to various schools, and they gave a motivational talk to some of these young students,” Cey recalled. “And they were just wide-eyed.”

In a letter to Knights who organized the 44th games in 2009, then-Supreme Knight Carl Anderson wrote: “I am especially pleased to learn that top athletes are being given the opportunity to visit local schools and talk about the importance of staying in school and avoiding drugs and other negative behaviors. Athletics provide opportunities for participants to build the body, discipline the mind and give expression to the higher aspirations of the human spirit.”

Canadian Diane Jones-Konihowski, a two-time Olympian, attempts to clear the bar at the 1980 K of C Saskatoon Indoor Games.

Randolph Headley (281) of the Calgary Spartans reaches back for the baton during the senior men’s relay Dec. 29, 1971.

American Al Feuerbach releases a shot put at the 1971 K of C Saskatoon Indoor Games.

Students participate in the 1985 elementary school relays at the K of C Saskatoon Indoor Games.

Athletes leap over hurdles during a race at the 1981 K of C Saskatoon Indoor games.

PASSING THE BATON

Intergenerational volunteerism is a hallmark of the historic track and field competition. Among those continuing that tradition are father and son Don and Glen Hauser, dedicated Knights who served during this year’s games.

For a decade, Don, past grand knight of Council 9539, chauffeured international athletes, served in a Fourth Degree honor guard during the opening ceremonies, and ensured no one interfered with the competition timing lights. Glen, executive secretary for the Saskatchewan State Council and past grand knight of St. Augustine Council 10587, joined the effort around 25 years ago and has remained involved since. In addition to serving the games in the same roles as his father, Glen has helped with parking, resetting pole vaults and singing in the K of C choir on opening night.

“My dad said to me, ‘Come on, we’ll drive some athletes around,’” Glen recalled of the day he became a volunteer at the games. “I didn’t know what would be involved, but it ended up being fun. I enjoyed myself.”

Rick Dupuis volunteers on the sidelines at Saskatoon Field House on the University of Saskatchewan campus Jan. 22. — Rick Dupuis, past grand knight of Mary, Mother of the Church Council 11888, volunteers on the sidelines during the elementary school relays at the Saskatoon Field House on the University of Saskatchewan campus Jan. 22. (Photo by Owen Woytowich)

Don has fond memories of chatting with international athletes on the way from the airport to inner-city schools, where they would inspire students with their stories and answer questions. Their first reactions to the Canadian winter were a perennial source of amusement.

“I remember there were athletes that came either from New Zealand or Australia, young guys. They came out of the airport, they saw the snowbank — and they just dove into it,” said Don with a smile.

Wally Owchar, a Knight for nearly six decades, has volunteered at the meet for 54 years, serving separate terms of at least 15 years each as secretary, treasurer and invitational meet host. He is drawn back year after year out of a desire to give opportunities to younger generations.

“It’s all for the kids from my end of it,” said Owchar, a member of Sheptytsky Council 4938. “We need to cherish them, as they are our future. Let’s give them a chance to try.”

Larry Packet, who joined the planning board 21 years ago and served as Saskatchewan state deputy from 2022 to 2024, also returns each year because of his belief in the games’ mission.

“We are promoting a positive lifestyle through the participation of the international athletes, and the young adults and children can imagine that anything is possible if you are productive and look after yourself,” said Packet.

According to Cey, participating in the games is a unique opportunity for Knights from across the city and province to come together. And encouragingly, a younger generation of Knights is stepping up to volunteer.

“We really do form a bond of friendship,” said Cey. “By the time the Saturday night banquet rolls around, we’ve put in a lot of work, and we breathe a sigh of relief because we pulled it off and made it a success.”

Excitement for the 60th Knights of Columbus Indoor Games next year is mounting. Diane Jones-Konihowski, the two-time Olympian, looks forward to celebrating the meet’s pioneering uniqueness and staying power over six decades.

“I look back on the meet, and I talk to a lot of my colleagues from those days,” she said. “There was nothing like it.”

*****

QUINTON AMUNDSON is associate editor of The Catholic Register and a member of Alphonsus William Curran Council 5116 in Brooks, Alberta.

Behind the Blocks

SHOWING UP — ON AND OFF THE TRACK

PASSING THE BATON

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