Wilson's Wit and Wisdom

TRENT CONTENTS  Course Profile Association President's Message Making Waves: John Jennings and the Canadian Canoe Museum Physics 100: Swinging from the rafters Nancy Sherouse Tribute Reunion Weekend Accommodation Directory Wilson's Wit and Wisdom: Alumni Coaches The Formal and Informal Classroom or, What Really Happens at Trent Unique Contribution to Archaeology Earns Spirit of Trent Award Campus Alumni Profile - Deborah Berrill Beyond Our Walls Report In Memoriam Sunshine Sketches

Alumni Coaches by P.S.B. Wilson, Director of Athletics I just wanted to mention an area of alumni involvement that is, perhaps, not always fully recognized or appreciated - that of the coaching of Trent Varsity teams. This is a huge donation and commitment of time, energy and passion, not always, frankly, under the easiest of circumstances. During the 1998/99 season, the Department had some 30 coaches motivating, instructing and cajoling current Trent University teams competing in 12 menís and 12 womenís sports. Of those 30 coaches, approximately half are alumni. Just to give you an idea: Fencing-Dave French '80 Golf-Tom Phillips '74 and Bryan Davies '68 Rowing-Ugette Vanderpost '89, Curt Farnham '95, Michelle Keightley '93, Marcus Elia '89, Shelley Adair '88 Rugby-Scott Campbell '93 and Colin Matthew '91 Women's Rugby-Leigh Roberton '93 Men's Soccer-Louis Melizan '83 and Serge Desbiens '89 Women's Soccer-Bruce Rowe '88 Swimming-Mark Avery '93 These teams compete in the highly competitive Ontario University Athletics league. Over the years we have endured some losses, but also enjoyed some outstanding wins. David French, alias The Chief, has performed on the OUA circuit for approximately two decades. A former "Spirit of Trent" winner, he was this year selected as the OUA Fencing Coach of the Year. Ugette Vanderpost has now completed her second year as head rowing coach, taking over from Bubba Lougheed '84, another alumni, and is one of the only female head coach of a male and female rowing program in North America, maybe the world. Louis Melizan and Bruce Rowe have been at the helm of men's and women's soccer respectively, for the best part of a decade, having to endure their share of defeats, but also having some excellent wins against far bigger institutions. In 1995 the Department of Athletics and Recreation underwent an external review conducted by Professor Mary Keyes, former Chair Physical Education Faculty, currently University Provost of McMaster University. In that review the coaches contribution to the overall athletic program at Trent was described as "extraordinary and huge". This contribution is greatly appreciated by myself and by the various team members. Many, many thanks to both past and present alumni coaches. A final point, I would like to continue publishing Alumni involvement in the realm of sport. Please pass on to me your achievements in this area.

This page is maintained by the Trent University Alumni Association.