Burlington has a long and notable sports history that includes many outstanding athletes, coaches, officials, media, and volunteers. The Burlington Sports Hall of Fame (BSHOF) is dedicated to identifying and honouring these individuals who have created this rich tradition. This year, BSHOF is celebrating its 18th year and is proud to be inducting six new honorees at its 2026 induction ceremony on Tuesday, May 26, at the Burlington Golf and Country Club.

Our next inductee is Chris Gioskos.

Chris Gioskos, a graduate of Nelson High School, is one of Burlington’s most accomplished and decorated football players. Best known for his post-secondary and professional success on the gridiron, in high school, Chris was also a standout rugby player and, in 1986, he competed at OFSAA in the shot put.

His success in football garnered him a lot of recruiting attention, and after attending the Penn State high school football camp, Chris decided to take his talents to the University of Ottawa. There, he played offensive tackle and learned the skills he would need to play professionally.

In Chris’ first year as a University of Ottawa Gee-Gee, he earned a starting role, which is rare for an offensive tackle. This meant that as a young lineman, he would be frequently battling in the trenches against older, more physically mature players; in particular, players from Quebec had two years of development at the CEGEP level before moving on to university. In 1988 and 1989, he was named an Ontario-Quebec Intercollegiate Football Conference (OQIFC) first-team all-star. In 1989, he added All-Canadian to his resume, and he was named the recipient of the J.P. Metras Award as the best down lineman in all of Canada.

His exemplary career at Ottawa earned Chris an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game in Palo Alto, California, in January of 1990. Every year, two Canadians are selected to play in the game, which is designed for draft-eligible players to showcase their talents for the NFL. For his efforts, Chris was named the University of Ottawa’s athlete of the year in 1990, and in 2008, was inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame.

Chris always had a goal of playing in the CFL, and that dream got closer when he was drafted 15th overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Chris established himself as a starter during his second year as he continued to refine his craft. He would go on to enjoy a ten-year career in Saskatchewan, with the Ottawa Rough Riders, and with the Toronto Argonauts. The highlight of his 167-game career was winning the Grey Cup in 1996 and 1997 while playing for the Argos.

Chris retired from the CFL in 2000, but his commitment to his sport and his community has never wavered. Over the last 25 years, he has volunteered his time to coach local high school and rep teams, as well as lending a hand to various camps, clinics, and all-star teams.

The Burlington Sports Hall of Fame is honoured to induct Chris Gioskos into the Athlete category.

This year’s induction reception will be held on Tuesday, May 26, at the Burlington Golf and Country Club with Steve Foxcroft as emcee. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with socializing from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and formal inductions from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the evening, and there is a cash bar. To get your tickets, which cost $65 each, email Wayne.heslop@cogeco.ca or call 905-520-8922.