Janice (Hebb) Metzger, a 1974 Acadia graduate, was an outstanding all-round high school athlete who performed well in track and field, cross country running, soccer and figure skating, but excelled in gymnastics. During these active high school years, the Bridgewater native gained distinction as a provincial gymnastics champion and in 1969 competed in hurdling for Nova Scotia’s track and field team in the Canada Games.
Entering Acadia during the early 1970’s she soon discovered that the University lacked a gymnastics team. As a result, she and a half -dozen other girls formed a club and subsequently had a team entered in AUAA meets.
Individually, Janice excelled on the vault. During the ’71-’72 academic year, she placed second behind team mate, Wendy MacLeod at the Atlantic Universities’ championship meet. After this, Janice, Wendy and Larry Mark, represented the conference at the CIAU championship finals.
For their sterling performances in winning the Maritime Intercollegiate Championship that year both the men and women’s teams were inducted into the Acadia Sport Hall of Fame during the fall of 1999.
During the ’72 -’73 season at an Acadia Invitational Tournament with UNB, the guests, Wendy MacLeod, Pam Gilverson and Janice placed first, second and third in the Acadia victory over UNB. The talented Janice was the overall points champion, with team mates MacLeod and Gilverson in close pursuit.
Later at the Intercollegiate Championship meet held at Acadia during that same ’72-’73 year, the women’s team coached by Rick Danielson and Japanese gymnast, Tak Kikuchi, were the victors. The women recorded a decisive 76-20 triumph over UNB with Janice recording a very impressive second overall position.
Being a super gymnast who won awards at every meet that she entered, Janice also perforn1ed demonstrations during half time at Acadia’ s basketball encounters.
Following graduation from Acadia, Janice taught physical education for three years before qualifying as a certified nursing assistant.
It is a pleasure to welcome for induction to Acadia’s Sports Hall of Fame, former AUAA gymnastics champion, Janice (Hebb) Metzger.
