London, ON - On Friday, September 27, 2024 at the Western Mustangs Athletic Alumni (WMAA) Sports Hall of Fame event, part of Western University's 75th Homecoming weekend - Mike and Brianne Barry will make Mustangs history as the first father-daughter duo inducted into the Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame.
Mike Barry wrestled for the Mustangs from 1975-77, and following his successful career, he was inducted into the Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. During his tenure as a part of the Western Mustangs, he won back-to-back Ontario University Athletics' Wrestling Championships, and the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (Formerly CIAU) Wrestling Championship in 1976. Mike also represented Canada at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec. After his stint at the Olympics, he returned and won the Canadian Open three consecutive years (from 1977-1979).
When reflecting on his time as a Mustang, Mike spoke very highly of the Western Mustangs environment and of his experience. "In both of our athletic histories, Western always provided exceptional coaching, extraordinary talented teammates and a first class competitive environment. It is exceptional that Western continued to deliver this from one generation to the next. I was also unequivocally impressed that Western's culture immediately embraced gender equality in a sport that was exclusively dominated by male-only participating in my time", said Mike.
His daughter, Brianne, felt it was only right to follow in her father's footsteps and to establish her own Western roots. Brianne was a member of the Mustangs wrestling team from 2009-14.
"It has always been a privilege knowing I had an opportunity to carry on my Father's legacy at the same school and, equally as important, in the same sport. But legacy is not what you leave
to someone, but
in them. In a historically male-dominated sport, Western gave both my father and I the opportunity to chase the great enthusiasm of high achievement in the sport of wrestling. Wrestling at Western was five of the greater years of my life. I built character, resilience, life-long friendships, unforgettable memories and achieved success on the National and International stage while representing Western proudly. Being inducted into the [Mustangs] Hall of Fame is an absolute honour. Being the first father-daughter duo is a dream come true and something we will both cherish forever", said Brianne.
As a Mustang, Brianne medaled in 14 tournaments, emerging as the champion on 12 occasions. She was an OUA champion her entire time as a Mustang, winning consecutively from 2009-14. During that time, she earned three silver medals at the CIS championships, before eventually winning in 2014. One of her international highlights during her tenure as a Mustang was representing Canada at the Jeux de la Francophonie and the Canada Cup, where she brought home the bronze in both.
Although Brianne never had the chance to watch her dad wrestle live, his influence on her career was prominent. "Obviously, my father was a massive influence as to why I began my journey in wrestling. However, as an individual sport, the decade-long journey was still mine and I had to develop my own genuine passion for greatness", said Brianne.
Brianne's implicit drive for success coupled with her dad's unconditional support was a recipe for excellence. "Despite not coaching me directly, my father was always in my corner. Always being one foot away from the mat, all I needed was to see he was right there with me. At countless practices I trained and wrestled against my father in the Western Wrestling room. We would have full on sparring matches, go to the wrestling room privately on the weekends to practice technique and he would literally cut weight with me every single time in the sauna before a competition ... .We still have yet to determine who won the final match!"
Brianne and her father's connection is truly admirable and the love they share for wrestling is amazing. "Throughout my decade long wrestling career, between Western and Team Canada I generally travelled Nationally and Internationally about 5+ times per year and my Father was at every single tournament. He did not miss one-single match of my entire career and he was often the only parent travelling with Team Canada internationally. My Father is one of my greatest gifts in life and despite all my achievements he was the ultimate gold medal", said Brianne.
Mike was proud and be part of this astonishing journey for Brianne. "Consequently, it was exhilarating to watch her from the get go and ultimately achieving the FWP Jones Trophy award in her graduating year." The F.W.P. Jones Trophy is presented to a Western female student-athlete who has made the greatest contribution to Intercollegiate Athletics within the University.
The Western Mustangs are purple and proud of Brianne and Mike Barry, the first father and daughter duo to be inducted into our Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame. Congratulations to them both on this well-deserved honour, and we look forward to celebrating with them this weekend at Homecoming 2024.
