Powerful Tribute and Unveiling for a Man who Shaped Trent Athletics
Trent University’s founding athletics director, Paul Wilson, honoured with a wall of tribute in the Athletics Centre lounge dedicated to him
A moving rededication ceremony for the PSB Wilson lounge was held Saturday, November 21 at Trent University where the new PSB Wilson Tribute Wall was unveiled. The wall was created in honour of the contributions made by Paul Wilson, founding director of Athletics at Trent, to Trent Athletics and the University as a whole. Throughout the afternoon event, the legacy of PSB Wilson was made clear as he and his wife Gillian were greeted by numerous standing ovations and much applause.
“It’s overwhelming and heart-filling. This was not really a job to me. I had a wonderful time here and met so many wonderful students. I am proud of this place and its alumni and I always will be,” PSB Wilson said, commenting on the honour.
The accomplishments of PSB Wilson in his 36 years with Trent University were many. He established varsity soccer, hockey, basketball, football, rugby and the squash program. Two years after he took his position as athletics director, 67 percent of students were participating in athletics. There is now a PSB Wilson Fund for athletics and recreation and a PSB Wilson Bursary Endowment Fund, which have both contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars back to the students of Trent University. Not only has he left a lasting legacy at Trent, he has made great contributions to University athletics across the province and to the Peterborough community where he served on City Council and through his continuous volunteer efforts.
“There were two reasons to create this wall, one was for a tribute to Paul the other was we wanted his story to be well told in the building to inspire students with his narrative and values,” shared Tony Storey, past director of Alumni Relations at Trent University and one of the organizers of the event along with active alumna Karen Sisson.
The event was attended by alumni, family and friends, with many warm words shared by the prestigious speakers in attendance including: Maryam Monsef ‘03 minister of Democratic Institutions and MP of Peterborough; the Honourable Jeff Leal ‘74, minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and MPP of Peterborough; Daryl Bennett, mayor of Peterborough, and Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University.
“PSB is a very special person. He is unique and it is important for Trent to enjoy and celebrate people like PSB and in the process inspire our students,” said Dr. Leo Groarke.
The speakers, the kind words spoken and the sheer number of guests who shared in this special afternoon of celebration, were a testament to the profound effect PSB Wilson has had on Trent Athletics, Trent University, its alumni and the greater Peterborough community.