ubc sport hall of fame inductees twister alert meet the cordoniers Blue;Gold gothunderbirds.ca spring 2010 We give where we live.

We’re committed to sport.

TELUS is proud to support the TELUS Millennium Scholarship Breakfast. We believe in using our technology and expertise to make a positive difference for youth in the communities where we live, work and play.

telus.com/community

© 2008 TELUS.

TELUS Creative Design Start Date: 07/15/08 Due Date: 07/23/08 GA #: 8-00455 PROOF #: 2

Client: Heather Sharpe Client Approval: YES Date: 07/23/08 Production Notes: Full page, Inside Ad Size: 8.25” X 10.75” front cover, full color ad for UBC LOB: Event Solutions Alumni magazine. 8,000+ circulation. Trim Size: 8.5” X 11” Hi-res PDF final art. Address: Flr 4A, 555 Robson St., Brand Approval: YES Date: 07/23/08 Quantities: 1

Telephone: 604-697-8275 # of pages: 1

Designer: Sandra Scott Keywords: pig and socks, UBC Millennium Breakfast, magazine ad, wgwwl. CMYK C M Y K Pantone 376 Pantone 2745 Telephone: 604-432-2429 Blue;Gold spring 2010 Blue;Gold Editor Don Wells Assistant Editor Steve Tuckwood the lineup Designer Sharmini Thiagarajah

Photography Martin Dee Richard Lam Christopher Rayan

BLUE+GOLD is published twice a year by the UBC Department of Athletics and is distributed free of charge to the UBC Alumni and friends. Opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department 5 10 of Athletics or the University.

Address correspondence to: The Editor UBC Department of Athletics 272 – 6081 University Blvd. Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1 3 email to [email protected] 6

advertising rates Matthew Tan ; departments Business Development Officer 604.822.2532 2 Message from athletic director

UBC Athletics contacts 2 Message from thunderbird athletic council president General Inquiries 604.822.2503 5 big block club BLUE+GOLD Editor 604.822.9115

War Gym Box Office 604.827.4547 12 spring schedule highlights

Group Tickets 604.822.3094 13 locker room Development Office 604.822.1972 Sponsorship 604.822.2532

UBC SPORT HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES TWISTER ALERT MEET THE CORDONIERS Address Changes 604.822.8921 [email protected] ; features BLUE✛GOLD GOTHUNDERBIRDS.CA SPRING 2010 3 ubc sport hall of fame inductees Return undeliverable Canadian 6 twister alert addresses to: Development Office 10 meet the cordoniers UBC Department of Athletics 272 – 6081 University Blvd. Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z1

Volume 6, Issue 1 • Printed in Canada by RR Donnelley

Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #41473026 ee r t i n d ma

: On the Cover } h o t o p

24-hour scores and info: UBC is a long-time family affair for the Cordoniers. r ve o

604.822.BIRD www.gothunderbirds.ca Left to Right, current players John, Liz and Joe. c Message from the Athletic Director

Welcome to another edition of Blue and Gold. You’ll no doubt notice some changes to this edition, with a slight shift to include more content about you, our Thunderbird alumni. We’ve tried to include as many names as space will allow, as well as short, but informative news items venue at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Tickets are still in an easy-to-read digest format. available and can be obtained by contacting Sarah Saddler at 604.822.6183. You’ll also notice a revised look and feel to the publication, which reflects a bold new institution-wide identity that We are also busy continuing to explore affiliation in both was recently forged for both the Vancouver and Okanagan the CIS and in division two of the National College Athletic campuses. Founded on the motto UBC: A Place of Mind, Association (NCAA). The two most important issues that this new imagery and identity are intended to help further remain unresolved are a thorough exploration of options to differentiate UBC within a crowded market of the world’s top ensure that all UBC teams can compete at the highest level, universities, and to continue to attract the very best students as well as clarifying the academic certification process and faculty from across Canada and around the world. required by all member universities under strict and rigorous NCAA regulations. By the time this edition of Blue and Gold arrives at your home, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be underway. In the meantime, we continue our various initiatives to UBC is proud and honoured to be at the centre of the action further enhance our student-athlete scholarship endowments, as our Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre is the venue which are now closing in on the 10 million dollar mark. With for men’s and women’s hockey and sledge hockey. While the that in mind, please mark the morning of April 1 on your Games will undoubtedly draw the bulk of attention among calendar, which is the date of this year’s TELUS Millennium sport fans in the Lower Mainland, they will not distract Scholarship Breakfast featuring PGA legend Ken Venturi as our student-athletes and coaches, who remain sharply the keynote speaker. focused upon the hunt for regional, conference and national On behalf of all our student-athletes, coaches and staff, championships. I hope we see as many of you as possible at one of these Our staff is also hard at work preparing for the upcoming special events, the various spring and summer alumni championship season, as well as this year’s Big Block Awards tournaments, or cheering on the T-Birds during the upcoming and Sports Hall of Fame Banquet to be held April 13. After championship season. As always, we extend our sincere almost 20 years at the Hyatt Hotel Ballroom, the growth and appreciation for your continued interest and support. success of this annual event has dictated a move to a larger Bob Philip

Message from Thunderbird Athletes Council President

Change has been brewing on Speaking of changes, we hope that you will be able to UBC’s Vancouver campus. In fact, there join us for the annual Big Block Hall of Fame Dinner at a have been so many changes on campus that it new venue, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, where another has become almost unrecognizable to former and even some deserving group of UBC Thunderbirds will be welcomed into current students: restoration of Main Library, transformation the Big Block Club in what always proves to be one of the of the old bus-loop into a small park, and creation of highlight events of the year. Thunderbird Park and the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird As you tickle from anticipation for the Olympics, please Sports Centre. However, with all this change swirling feel free to stop by and practice some of your cheers on around us, there are some things that have not changed. our athletes in their upcoming play-off matches. If you The support of our alumni has been unwavering, whether it are too embarrassed to cheer in public, do not worry, we is through events like the TELUS Millennium Breakfast and have “Thundersticks” that you can clap to your heart’s Big Block Hall of Fame Dinner, scholarships, or even just content! All up-to-date information and statistics on your being on hand to cheer on the Thunderbirds. Varsity athletics favourite Thunderbird teams can be found conveniently on are an integral part of the university. The Thunderbirds are gothunderbirds.ca. We look forward to seeing you, because ambassadors for UBC and, with your help, we are able to as Athletics’ new motto so truly states, “Winning is more boast some of the most successful student-athletes in the fun with you here!” country. We are forever grateful for your support in helping Lauren Whitehead our athletes fulfill their potential on the field, pool, court and in the classroom.

2 BLUE;GOLD spring 2010 2010 UBC Sport Hall of Fame Inductees

The UBC Eight won the 1956 Canadian Championships and a silver medal at the Melbourne Olympics.

For the 18th consecutive year, the UBC 1994. A co-winner of 1991 Bobby Gaul Award, he famously Department of Athletics is pleased to honour some of its all- dueled Calgary’s Mark Tewksbury in 200 metre backstroke time most outstanding athletes, teams and builders of sport. events for most of his university career, placing second in The 2010 inductees will be formally recognized for their the CIAU championships in 1987 and beating the heralded achievements at the annual Big Block Awards and Hall of Olympic champion in 1988 and 1989. Fame Dinner on April 13th at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Message from Track’s Anne Mackie-Morelli still holds four UBC records in The 2010 inductees in the athlete category are gridiron great 400, 600, 800 and 1000 metre events and was named UBC’s Thunderbird Athletes Council President David Sidoo, swimmer Kevin Draxinger, track standout female athlete of the year in 1976-77. Coached by Lionel Anne Mackie-Morelli and Canadian legend Pugh, she launched a successful international career from Carol Turney. This year’s team entrant is the 1956 Olympic UBC, highlighted by a bronze medal in the 4 x 400 metre silver-medalist eight while the entrant in the builder relay at both the 1978 Commonwealth Games and the 1979 category is long-time UBC soccer coach and former Glasgow Pan-American Games. She won Canadian titles in 1979 in Ranger, the late Joe Johnson. 400 and 800 metre indoor races and the 800 metre outdoor event. She was selected to Canada’s 1980 Olympic team, but David Sidoo was a star defensive back and kick return like all Canadian Olympians, was not allowed to compete as specialist for UBC for four seasons from 1979 to 1982. a result of the US led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games. He was named a CIAU All Canadian in 1982 and in that same year intercepted a pass to help the UBC Thunderbirds One of the best basketball players in UBC history, Carol to their first-ever Vanier Cup Championship in a 39-14 Turney led UBC to victory in the 1974 CIAU national win over the Western Ontario Mustangs. David went championship and to the national final again in 1975. That on to a successful CFL career, playing five seasons with same year, she broke a UBC single-game scoring record by Saskatchewan from 1983 to 1987 before coming home to scoring 37 points against Calgary. She still holds three UBC play for the BC Lions in 1988. scoring records, including a season’s best points-per-game average with 21.1. She remains number two among UBC’s Backstroke specialist Kevin Draxinger remains one of the top all-time top rebounders, averaging 12 per game in the 1974- competitors in UBC history. “Drax” was a 1992 75 season. While just 16 years old, she was selected to play Olympian and a 1991 world championship finalist in 200 for Canada’s national team, a run which lasted 10 seasons metre backstroke. He picked up a bronze medal in the same event at the 1990 Commonwealth Games and a silver in contined on page 4

spring 2010 BLUE;GOLD 3 i r s . a

A f f 2010 UBC Desert Classic c l i Brought to you by UBC Alumni Affairs and UBC Athletics ub sy of UBC P e r t u o c P h oto Turlough O’Hare and Kevin Draxinger take a break at UBC pool during training for 1992 Olympics.

UBC Sport Hall of Fame Inductees contined from page 3 Golf Tournament and Dinner and included being part of Canada’s first-ever Olympic women’s basketball team at the 1976 Games in Montreal. Monday, March 8, 2010 The 1956 eight was at the centre of one of the most 75200 Classic Club Blvd. historic moments in UBC sport history and one of the most Palm Desert, CA, 92211 memorable finishes in Olympic rowing history. After winning The generosity of the Berger Foundation the 1956 Canadian Championships, the Frank Read coached made this event very affordable! crew went to Melbourne for the 1956 Olympics. After defeating the American entry from Yale in qualifications, the Shotgun start at 12:00 p.m. US team edged UBC by less than a boat length in gold-medal Cocktails and dinner begin at 5:00 p.m. race. UBC’s silver medalist crew consisted of Laurie West, Wayne Pretty, Bill McKerlich, Doug McDonald, Bob Wilson, Entertainment, Auction Phil Kueber, Dick McClure, David Helliwell, coxswain Carl Cost: Ogawa and spares Gen Smith and Tom Gray. Dinner Only Individual: $50 After an 11-year playing career with the Glasgow Rangers, Scottish-born Joe Johnson came to UBC in 1961 and served Dinner and Golf* as soccer coach for a 25-year career. Very shortly after his Individual: $175 arrival, the T-birds moved up to the Pacific Coast League, Foursome: $700 widely considered to be Canada’s premiere league, and RSVP by Monday, March 1, 2010. in just three seasons won the PCL championship. With For sponsorship opportunities and other questions, the formalization of university play under the auspices please contact Sarah Saddler at 604.822.6183 of Canada West and the CIAU, UBC continued to be a or [email protected]. dominant force, winning its first Canada West title in 1974 Includes green fees (as well as power cart, range privileges, unlimited and three CIAU national championships in 1974, ‘84 and * bottled water, divot tool, ball marker and yardage book), buffet dinner ‘85. In 1991 the CIAU inaugurated the Joe Johnson Award and a donation of $75 (tax receipted) to the Thunderbird team of your choice. for the nation’s most outstanding player in men’s soccer. ;

MARK YOUR CALENDARS TELUS MILLENNIUM BREAKFAST APRIL 1, 2010 7:15 to 8:45 am, Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre FEATURING GUEST SPEAKER KEN VENTURI 1964 U.S. OPEN CHAMPION AND RETIRED CBS GOLF ANALYST

ONLINE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE AT WWW.GOTHUNDERBIRDS.CA For information please contact Sarah Saddler, 604.822.6183 or [email protected]

4 BLUE;GOLD spring 2010 block News ; notes from the big block club

Left to right: Back on his feet following hip surgery, He was one of Canada’s skiing pioneers, and an engineer Humanitarian slugger Buzz Moore was feted in a style that only his rugby fraternity involved in surveying and installing Grouse Mountain’s first Steve Bell-Irving; “low can muster. Hosted and organized by Spence McTavish chair lift in 1949. He was part of the two failed Olympic bid jumper” Olympian and Mel Reeves, it was a grand salute attended by an over- attempts by Whistler in 1968 and 1976, then died in 2003, Jeff Pain; Santa Sale capacity crowd of 260 friends and admirers on November 26 six months after the announcement of the winning bid for the saviour Jessica Hanson at the University Golf Club. Following a moving tribute by 2010 Games. with mom and dad, Peter Grantham, Buzz staved off rare moments of emotion Former Thunderbird volleyball standout Leah Allinger is and Block Club icon by keeping a full glass of red wine handy while he took the taking a brief time-out from training for the 2010 AVP and Buzz Moore. podium to express his gratitude. A UGC banquet staffer, who FIVB world beach volleyball tour to join the VANOC staff as remarked to organizers about how the crowd had consumed associate venue producer for the Richmond Olympic Oval. almost every drop of libation in the house, was politely She also recently teamed up with Vancouver based haute reminded of the club’s good fortune that the event was held on couture fashion sensation Vivvos and is, in her own words, a week night. “designing sexy swimwear for active women.” Turns out Spence has a big night coming up himself on A great many UBC alumni participated in the 2010 Olympic September 16. That’s the night when he joins a host of other torch relay, including 2008 rowing gold medalists Ben UBC grads who have been inducted into the BC Sports Hall Rutledge and Kyle Hamilton, who joined their Beijing of Fame. Spence’s career with the national team lasted a full teammates to row the torch across Victoria’s Elk Lake. Ben 17 years, in which he earned 22 full caps representing Canada also carried the torch solo in his hometown of Cranbrook. internationally, on top of approximately fifty other games for Four-time Olympian, silver medalist and Canadian Olympic Canada, and over a hundred for BC. Former Thunderbird Committee vice-president Tricia Smith carried the torch linebacker Matt Clarke will also be inducted on the night past Montreal’s Olympic Stadium. Former crew member along with teammates from the 1994 Grey Cup champion BC Ian Gordon and ski racer Joy Fera also carried the hallowed Lions. Although Greg Douglas isn’t a UBC grad, he should flame, as did formerU BC associate athletic director and perhaps be considered for honourary Big Block status for his national team rower Kim Gordon. Former field hockey player support of UBC over the course of a 40-year sports journalism and 2008 Olympian Anthony Wright also carried it, as did career. “Dr. Sport” will enter the Hall in the media category. his mother and two-time track Olympian Thelma Wright. Still on the Hall of Fame front, former Thunderbird soccer Another two-generation combination took place in Whistler star Bill Popowich was inducted into Burnaby Sports Hall of when former Athletic Director Bob Hindmarch handed the Fame on January 21. Three tables of friends were on hand to torch off to son Dave Hindmarch, a member of Canada’s salute Bill for being a tireless supporter of youth basketball, as 1980 Olympic hockey team. well as high school soccer and track and field for more than UBC rowing alumnus Bill Hughes recently underwent heart half a century. surgery in Vancouver and is recovering in hospital in Fort Jeff Pain, a former UBC high jumper, or “low-jumper” in his St. James. UBC crewmate Glen Smith spoke with him on words, is looking to add to his Olympic medal collection. the phone recently and reported that he seemed in good The 39-year-old veteran skeleton racer won the silver medal spirits and wanted to thank everyone for all the attention at the 2006 Games and was third in an Olympic test event he has received. Glen also penned an e-mail containing an in Whistler. Set for his Olympic swan song at the Whistler amusing recollection of Bill’s post-UBC adventures for the Sliding Centre, he and wife Alyson have co-written a book reading pleasure of fellow Frank Read disciples. Glen’s tale entitled The Business of Marriage and Medals. prompted some equally amusing nostalgia from Bob Falconer concerning UBC rowing history. For anyone interested in the There is at least one other UBC connection to the 2010 complete story, there is now an on-line history of UBC rowing, Olympic Winter Games, albeit a distant one. The late Peter thanks to alumni who contributed photos and stories, at Vajda, a UBC mechanical engineering professor and the www.ubcboathouse.com. university’s volunteer ski coach from 1946-56, was the grandfather of Britt and Michael Janyk, two of Canada’s Speaking of history, the long awaited UBC Sports Hall of brightest hopes for podium finishes in the 2010 alpine events. contined on page 12

spring 2010 BLUE;GOLD 5 Twister alert By Don Wells photography by martin dee

When Pete Twist first arrived at UBC in the fall of 1986, he had his hockey gear, a duffle bag full of clothes, and less than a thousand dollars to his name. With no place to stay, he took up temporary residence in the back of a 1975 Plymouth Fury station wagon.

“I bought the car from a high school automotive class and it barely ran,” he laughs, recalling his arrival from his hometown of Peterborough, Ontario to do a Master’s degree in Human Kinetics and play hockey for the T-Birds. “I parked it out in B-lot and walked to War Memorial Gym in the mornings

to shower.” contined on page 8 Twister “We have a saying here – ‘give energy’ – and it’s turned into guiding principle in everything we do.”

Like almost all success stories with a country rock band, and although I little tolerance for was negativity or humble beginnings, his has taken some had managed to save enough money disparaging words about anything, or intriguing turns. The B-Lot is now long to pay for tuition and an attic suite in anybody. gone, and “Twister” is the CEO of a East Vancouver, I too spent the odd In the years that followed, many of us thriving sport conditioning enterprise night in B-lot in a rusting 1974 Chevy noticed how he grabbed on to every who resides in a comfortable home van that had transported me and my opportunity UBC afforded him and overlooking Horseshoe Bay, his success band mates on odysseys reminiscent squeezed hard. His entrepreneurial lending further credence to the old of the Joad family. Looking back on spirit first emerged with the creation of saying about how we reap just what those days, and nights, it’s amusing to Student Body Calendars, a mildly racy we sow. think that Pete might have slumbered production which contained photos of somewhere nearby. The eclectic myriad of projects and physically fit UBC students and sold challenges he has undertaken has The following year, while Pete was briskly. Although his Masters degree brought many rewards. The difference, making his mark as a top defenseman concentrated on coaching science, he however, is that the rewards have, for Terry O’Malley’s Thunderbirds, was as much a student of physiology, in various ways, accrued to others I caught on with the UBC Athletic which led him to a job managing the as much as they have to him. The department as a student sports Bird Coop weight room, and to team reason for that is rooted in the fact information officer. My earliest up with Human Kinetics Professor that his eternally positive attitude recollections of him include a plane Ted Rhodes on a book entitled The and respectful, unselfish approach flight to Los Angeles for a tournament Physiology of Ice Hockey. He also to everyone he meets rivals that of at the Great Western Forum involving worked with Rhodes, a long-time the Dalai Lama. More specifically, UBC, Alberta, Denver University and fitness consultant for the Vancouver his unflagging passion for acquiring Michigan State. Standing at the back Canucks, to conduct athlete testing and sharing knowledge about sport of the plane, he chatted amicably with in the Buchanan Fitness Lab and to conditioning and personal wellness is team mates Joe Sobotin, Mike Ikeda design training programs for athletes, the cornerstone of a business that has and Kevin Hoffman. Irrepressibly including Canuck players. He also enabled thousands of clients, from upbeat, he wore a perpetual grin, and became one of the few Canadians 10-year-olds to professional athletes, appeared to intuitively understand officially certified as strength and to reach and exceed important physical what athletic director Bob Hindmarch conditioning coaches by the US based and psychological objectives. had tried to impress upon me only days National Strength and Conditioning earlier: “you don’t have to be somber Association. I’m probably as qualified as anybody to be serious.” He was as committed as to render an opinion about exactly He soon became a prolific author on any student-athlete I had ever met, but who, and what Pete Twist is. I was the subject, and as his belief in the he was equally bent on having a good practically a neighbor back in the B-lot merits of strength and conditioning time and ensuring everyone around era. I had spent the summer of 1986 specialization within hockey coaching him did too. The only thing he had traveling around BC and Alberta in contined on page 9 grew stronger, he wrote a job description including Unlike conventional qualifications and a detailed cost-benefit analysis. He sent the fitness clubs, there are package to university athletic directors and hockey general no memberships and no

managers across Canada, but didn’t enclose a resume, machines, only power racks n a y

believing that the first order of business was to introduce a with free weights, ropes, balls and lots r A r e

concept that was not yet familiar among hockey coaches, of room to move. The trainers are referred to as “coaches,” h p and completely unfamiliar to anybody north of the Canada- and clients as “athletes,” who commit to rigorous workouts US border. that focus on increasing overall athleticism - “training the C h r i s t o : whole body at once” - rather than merely strengthening

A short while later, the Canucks hired Pat Quinn as President h o t o specific muscle groups. Irrespective of age or ability, the p and General Manager, who in turn hired George McPhee as workouts are the same; it is only the pace and the vice president and director of hockey operations. McPhee weight-loads that differ. had played at Bowling Green State where he won the 1992 Hobey Baker Award and was one of the few in the NHL The environment is clearly one which only the very familiar with the benefits of strength and conditioning committed should enter. At the same time, it is an specialization within coaching ranks. Rhodes alerted Quinn atmosphere that encourages unbounded achievement, and McPhee to the existence of a UBC graduate with the facilitated by carefully selected coaches who share an equal perfect combination of knowledge and experience to add and unforced passion for sport and the human spirit. new depth to the Canucks’ coaching staff. His run as “We have a saying here – ‘give energy’- and it’s turned into a strength and conditioning coach lasted for 11 seasons, and guiding principle in everything we do,” he carefully explains in spite of it being a dream job within an organization he in the boardroom of the North Vancouver headquarters. deeply respected, the birth of his two daughters prompted “Life is short, and if you are the kind of person that sucks some soul-searching. energy, then you can’t be here.” He is quick to point out “I was totally over-the-top committed, and I was working that rule doesn’t only apply to staff, but also to the athletes with first-class awesome people. But the NHL is seven days who train here, indicating that it is a place devoted to a week. I was missing birthdays and friends’ weddings, but pushing the envelope of potential. His words reveal a most of all I wanted to be a better dad. I could be a coach or philosophy that remains unaltered since the time of the I could be a dad, but I couldn’t be both, at least not how I flight to Los Angeles - disparaging words and negative envisioned it.” attitudes aren’t welcome. Temptation looked him even more squarely in the eyes when The other thing that remains unaltered 20 years later is former Canuck goaltending coach Glen Hanlon took over the perpetual smile, a sincere interest in the lives of others as GM in Washington and offered him an assistant coach and a desire to share everything he has learned, even with position with the Capitals, who had just signed a winger competitors who frequently attempt to mimic his methods. from Russia named Alex Ovechkin. But the desire to lead The willingness to share trade secrets strongly suggests that a more balanced life and stay in a city he had come to love he remains far more interested in popularizing his new- made it an easy decision to decline the offer and focus more world approach to conditioning, and invoking healthier attention on business, despite high regard for Hanlon and lifestyles among the general population - kids in particular the allure of coaching Ovechkin. - than in maximizing personal financial returns. Twist Conditioning Inc began as a summer sport camp As our planned 30-minute chat turns to two hours, I am operation and some related product distribution, but quickly reminded of the most important and salient characteristic grew after he left the Canucks. Today, it consists of a of my former B-lot neighbor - an inherent and humble spirit burgeoning and multi-facted education division, a retail and of generosity, and one that has resulted in him devoting wholesale products division, as well as a conditioning centre the entirety of his professional life to fueling the ambitious in North Vancouver with a large and varied clientele. Four pursuits of others. other locations operate as franchises in Kelowna, Portland, I suppose there are many people like that, and certainly I’ve and Burlington and Whitby, Ontario, with a fifth soon to met an inordinate number in my years around UBC. Twister open in Port Coquitlam. just happens to be one of my personal favorites. ;

spring 2010 BLUE;GOLD 9 On any given night when the UBC volleyball teams are battling opponents in War Memorial Gym, that’s when and where you’ll find the Cordonier family. the cordoniers

By Don Wells photography by martin dee 6 At the mid-court officials’ table, you’ll seeE mily, the eldest of playing together for Canada at the 2007 World University five siblings. A IC S All Canadian with UBC in the mid-2000’s, Games in Bangkok. she alternately serves as the game PA announcer, or the color Joe says he gave some thought to attending Thompson Rivers commentator for CITR radio. Brothers Joe and John will be University, but not much. He too dug in at UBC and saw on the court for the men’s team, while their older sister Liz is plenty of action in his freshman season, earning a spot on the team captain and a fifth-year standout for the two-time the CIS All-rookie team and the junior national team the defending national champion women’s team. following year. In spite of not having an opportunity to play Parents John and Susan never miss a game and can typically high school volleyball until grade 11 at Vancouver College, be found sitting in the same general area of the gym that they John Junior showed enough of the right stuff to be added to have since they first started bringing their children toU BC the roster this past fall. volleyball and basketball games many years ago. Alongside To anybody familiar with the sport community of Vancouver’s them, you’ll find their daughter Genny, a second-yearU BC Dunbar region, the success of the Cordonier children isn’t Medicine student and a former member of the UBC club team. surprising, given the strength of the gene pool and the support A recent addition to the family will also be there, in the form they’ve received from their parents. UBC women’s volleyball of UBC men’s assistant coach Leo Carroll, who married Emily coach and Dunbar resident Doug Reimer is among those last summer. who describes John and Susan Cordonier as “pillars of the Even the family dogs, Riley and Scout, are no strangers to the community,” especially when it comes to supporting amateur campus. Not surprisingly, the border collie-Burmese mountain sport and education. crosses are sisters. Seems family is everything in the Cordonier A graduate of the UBC Faculty of Education, Susan is a household. physical education teacher at Immaculate Conception School How far back would you have to go to find another family and a tireless volunteer within elementary school and amateur from which five siblings participated inU BC varsity sport? sport circles. A commercial real estate developer by day, John The answer is back to the very beginning, according to also lends a good portion of time and energy to strengthening Athletics historian Fred Hume. In fact, you would have to the fabric of local amateur sport. A UBC varsity rower in the go back to the time of Otis Johnson Todd, a UBC Classics early 1970’s and a member of Canada’s 1976 Olympic team, professor who first arrived atU BC from Harvard in 1918. he laughs when recalling a time in the early 1980’s when A total of six of his offspring – Duncan, Allen, Lois, David, former UBC Athletics Director Bob Hindmarch convinced Douglas and Stuart - represented UBC in a range of varsity him to take over the UBC rowing program with an offer of sports in the 1920’s and 30’s. the princely annual sum of a thousand dollars and any title he might desire. While all the Cordonier children had choices when it came to selecting a university, none seriously considered going Along with other former Thunderbird rowers, he has anywhere else, especially after Emily blazed the first trail from provided a wide range of support for the UBC program over their Dunbar home to Point Grey. Like the others, she grew up the years, and even though he has given much more than playing a variety of sports, but her six-foot plus height made he ever took, he contends that he and Susan have much to volleyball or basketball the most obvious choices. She chose be grateful for when it comes to their university and the volleyball, and admits that her success and big-sister influence opportunities it has afforded the family. may have helped convince her younger brothers and sisters to “UBC is a big university, but in spite of that, the kids have do the same. been able to be part of a close knit community,” he says, “We grew up going to UBC games and all the summer sport referring to their rich social lives, as well as extracurricular camps,” says Emily, who is finishing a program in broadcast endeavours as members of the Thunderbird Athletes journalism at BCIT and working at Global television. “We Council and supporting causes such as the Food Bank or the already knew the coaches and the players from the camps humanitarian organization Right to Play. He also points out and so we never really even got recruited. They just naturally that the opportunity for their children to experience such an expected that we would go to UBC.” outstanding combination of sport and education so close to home has enhanced the quality and extended the duration of Turns out it was the right assumption. A year after Emily first family life. enrolled in Arts in 2001, Genny registered in Human Kinetics. “I didn’t apply anywhere else, for either my first degree or “I grew up in Kamloops, so I had to leave home at a very for med school,” says Genny. Liz enrolled in Arts in 2005, young age to come to UBC. The experience for our kids has followed by Joe in 2007 and John Junior in Arts last fall. In been very different. They haven’t had to leave home, and so addition to being excellent students, it was clear from the we’ve been able to keep the family intact for a much longer beginning that there was something else that was embedded period of time.” deep in the Cordonier DNA – a fiercely competitive spirit and Echoing her father’s words, Emily talks about how all three unbounded enthusiasm for the camaraderie of team sport. of her bridesmaids were UBC team mates, and how much she In just three years, Emily was well on her way to making some enjoys her family’s long standing affair with the university notable entries in the UBC record books and was selected to athletic program. Clearly it will be a bittersweet occasion Canada’s national team. Liz joined her on the UBC roster for when John Junior plays his final home match in a few years her final year, and they took their sister act on the road to time, signaling the end of the run, at least for this generation. the 2006 CIS Championship final, whereU BC lost a four-set “It’s been so great, it really has,” she says, as she watches Liz, nail-biter to Laval. They also spent two seasons together on Joe and John kibitz while posing together for a university the national team. Among the highlights, as Emily recalls, was photographer. “I wish it could go on forever.” ;

spring 2010 BLUE;GOLD 11 block spring Schedule contined from page 5 Fame will soon open at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. The display area will include interactive kiosks with Highlights touch screens that will enable visitors to view information and photographs. The material is being compiled by Atlee James and Thunderbird historian Fred Hume. James is also Canada West women’s basketball playoff schedule busy preparing the video features for the upcoming Big Block Feb 26 - 28 Canada West Quarter-finals: Division Crossovers (Best of 3) Mar 5 - 6 Canada West Final Four @ Highest Ranked Team and Hall of Fame dinner. His company, Potential Pictures Inc, 4 vs 1 / 3 vs 2 has become a thriving enterprise with a growing blue chip Mar 12 - 14 CIS Women’s Basketball Championship (Final Eight) client base. The former T-Bird defensive back and wife Angela at McMaster, Hamilton, On recently announced the pending arrival of their firstborn.T he junior James is scheduled to make his or her first on-camera Canada West men’s basketball playoff schedule appearance some time in July. Feb 26 - 28 Canada West Quarter-finals: Division Crossovers (Best of 3) Mar 5 - 6 Canada West Final Four @ Highest Ranked Team Some sad news to report, one of UBC’s all-time gridiron 4 vs 1 / 3 vs 2 greats, Roy Shatzko, passed away recently. Roy played for Mar 19 - 21 CIS Championship (Final Eight) at Carleton, Ottawa, On Frank Gnup in the early 1960’s and went on to a successful eight-year run in the CFL for BC and Edmonton. 2009 also Canada West women’s volleyball playoff schedule saw the loss of much loved and respected athlete and global Feb 19 - 21 Canada West Women’s Final Four Qualifications education pioneer Bob Carkner. Also lost in 2009 were Mary (5@4 / 6@3 / 7@2 - Best of 3) Campbell and Lois Fisher, the last surviving members of the Mar 4 - 6 Canada West Women’s Final Four @ Highest Ranked storied women’s basketball team that claimed the 1930 world Eastern Team (4 vs 1/3 vs 2) championship in Prague. Mar 12 - 14 CIS Women’s Volleyball Championship at Alberta, Edmonton, Ab After biking from Kenora to Vancouver in support of Juvenile Diabetes research, former T-Bird baseball slugger Canada West men’s volleyball playoff schedule Steve Bell-Irving left for China last fall to hike the Great Feb 26 - 27 Canada West Men’s Final Four Qualifications Wall. He then traveled to Nepal for a 21-day hike through (5@4 / 6@3 / 7@2 - Best of 3) the Annapurna Circuit in the Himalayas, surviving on a diet Mar 4 - 6 Canada West Men’s Final Four @ Highest Ranked Team of rice and lentils. He later settled in a rehabilitation centre (4 vs 1/3 vs 2) Mar 12 - 14 CIS Men’s Volleyball Championship for mentally and physically disabled children in Katmandu. – Thompson Rivers, Kamloops, BC For just over two months, he taught math, writing and very

basic movement routines. In spite of poor working conditions Canada West women’s hockey playoff schedule and an almost impenetrable language barrier, Steve says “the Feb. 26 - 28 Canada West Semifinals (4@1 / 3@2 - Best of 3) volunteer experience was amazing and I’d recommend it to Maˆ- 7 Canada West Final at highest finisher (Best 2 of 3) anyone.” Mar 11 - 14 CIS Championship at St. Francis Xavier, Antigonish, NS Remember the feature story a couple of issues back about Canada West men’s hockey playoff schedule UBC golfer and classical vocal sensation Andrew Robb? Well, Mar 5 - 7 Canada West Semifinals 4 @1 / 3 @ 2 (Best of 3) former track athlete and soccer player Fraser Walters has a Mar 12 - 14 Canada West Final at highest finisher (Best of 3) song or two in his heart as well. Fraser is one quarter of the Mar 25 - 28 CIS Championship at Lakehead, Thunder Bay, On world-renowned Canadian Tenors, who’ve performed for former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former England Prime CIS Swimming Championships Minister Tony Blair, and shared stages with everyone from March 18 - 20 University of Toronto Sarah McLachlan and Wyclef Jean to Matt Damon. NAIA Track and Field Championships Here’s a heartwarming tale to close off. Last December, the May 27 - 29 indiana Wesleyan, Marion, Ind Province newspaper reported how a grade seven student, “who prefers to remain anonymous,” came to the rescue of UBC Baseball Regular NAIA Season Home Games an annual fundraising event at Kerrisdale Elementary School. (all home games played at Thunderbird Park) Every year since 1996, the school’s annual Santa Sale has Mar 13 College of Idaho (DH) 12:00 PM raised money for the Province’s Empty Stocking Fund, with Mar 14 College of Idaho (DH) 11:00 AM families donating household items for resale as gifts. When April 2 Corban College (DH) 12:00 PM April 3 Corban College (DH) 11:00 AM donations screeched to a halt, the “anonymous” student April 10 Concordia (DH) 12:00 PM swung into action with an inspired letter and a series of PA April 11 Concordia (DH) 11:00 AM announcements and speeches which stated: “I will stand April 16 lewis-Clark State 4:00 PM up and try my hardest to keep this tradition running.” The April 17 lewis-Clark State 1:00 PM floodgates suddenly opened and the result was a record April 18 lewis-Clark State 2:00 PM $6,500 donation. Turns out the student was 12-year-old April 24 oregon Tech (DH) 12:00 PM Jessica Hanson, daughter of men’s basketball coach Kevin April 25 oregon Tech (DH) 11:00 AM Hanson and associate athletic director Theresa Hanson. Mom May 6 - 8 West Grouping Tournament TBA and Dad swear they had nothing to do with it. “I’ve actually May 18 - 21 sectional Tournament TBA tried to teach her to be a little tougher,” says Kevin. “I guess May 28 - June 4 NAIA World Series TBA maybe I won’t do that any more.” ;

12 BLUE;GOLD spring 2010 spring Schedule Locker oR om Championship Watch Mosher Announces Retirement against a Cuban squad comprised of junior national team members and elite Highlights It’s playoff time in university sport One of the most successful and club players. The trip, made possible across Canada, and as we go to press, admired coaches in UBC Thunderbird partially from a grant from the Walter UBC’s men’s and women’s basketball history, Dick Mosher, recently Gage Memorial Fund and the support of and women’s volleyball have all announced his retirement from the Bird Backers donors, also included clinched playoff berths, while the coaching after 24 seasons at the helm some humanitarian efforts. “We spent women’s hockey team still remains of each, and sometimes both, the men’s a morning at the Havana ‘day care’ in the hunt for post-season play. The and women’s soccer programs. Overall, for children from birth to five years Thunderbird swim teams are fresh his teams claimed 12 Canada West of age,” reported coach Deb Huband off of a Canada West championship Championships and nine CIS National following the sojourn. “The only victory for the women’s side and a Championships. Individually Dick was children remaining were those who had second place finish for men. Next recognized as the Canada West Coach no alternate option of visiting extended up for the pool Birds is the CIS of the Year seven times and took home family or caregivers for the holidays. We Championships February 18-20 the CIS honour on three occasions. had hoped to do some painting for them at the University of Toronto. His all-time regular season record is an but instead helped with general cleaning impressive 202-38-48 topped off with In spite of the Olympic and Paralympic and yard clean-up. The majority of the an even more stellar mark of 26-4-2 at Winter Games activity taking place at time we interacted and played with CIS national championships. UBC, War Memorial Gym remains an the children. It was obvious that they active venue for home basketball and An outstanding player with UBC in the were hungry for social interaction and volleyball events. The lone exception mid-1960’s and the father of current physical contact. I think the experience will be the Canada West final four of men’s coach Mike Mosher, Dick will left us feeling that we received more women’s volleyball. If UBC maintains continue to serve as the academic than we gave and it is one that we will its solid grip on first-place and earns coordinator for the Department of not soon forget.” The team also visited the right to host the final four, the Athletics, and as a professor and a children’s hospital in Havana and event will have to be moved to the graduate advisor in the School of donated some medical supplies courtesy home venue of the next highest Human Kinetics. of UBC Student Health and long-time finalist. UBC Athletics recommends UBC Athletics sport medicine specialist that all Thunderbird fans consult the Olson Returns to Thunderbirds Dr. Rob Lloyd-Smith. department website (gothunderbirds.ca) for up-to-the-minute updates on results Former quarterback Shawn Olson, who navigated UBC to the 1997 Vanier Cup 2010 alumni Golf Schedule and event information. Includes New Multi-team title, returns to Point Grey as the 17th Tournament head football coach in the program’s Bats to Crack history. The Surrey native had an UBC Athletics will stage a new multi- at Thunderbird Park extremely successful professional team golf tournament for alumni and The sounds of spring will soon ring playing career in Europe and numerous friends on May 27 at Green Acres out across the south campus as the impressive coaching stops after in Richmond. Proceeds from the Thunderbird baseball team prepares graduating from UBC. Most recently, tournament will benefit alpine skiing, for the upcoming NAIA season at he spent the last three seasons as women’s basketball, men’s and women’s Thunderbird Park. As always, the first the offensive coordinator and field Hockey, women’s ice Hockey, men’s part of the schedule sees the T-Birds on quarterbacks coach of the Simon soccer, track and cross-country and the road, with the NAIA home opener Fraser University Clan. men’s and women’s volleyball. Entry fee slated for March 13 with a double of $175 per player includes a 12:30 pm Olson spent five seasons as a pivot header against College of Idaho. 2010 shotgun start with dinner to follow. for the T-Birds from 1996-2000, also marks the first official season quarterbacking UBC to the Vanier Next up at Green Acres is the second for UBC’s women’s softball team, Cup in just his first year as the starter, annual men’s basketball tournament, although its late entry into NAIA play and earning the Ted Morris Trophy as scheduled for June 11th, at 1pm. The means that UBC will compete as an the game’s most outstanding player. 25th annual Father Bauer Memorial independent with no home games. During his five seasons, the T-Birds Golf Tournament returns to its UBC will square off against SFU in had a record of 30-17-1 and made four traditional home at South Surrey’s a double header March 5 at London Hardy Cup appearances. Hazelmere Golf Club on June 30th. Park in Richmond and again on April Much further south is the Thunderbird 9 at North Delta Park. Please consult Golf Society’s UBC Desert Classic in T-Birds Flock to Cuba gothunderbirds.ca for a complete Palm Desert. It’s a one-day event, March schedule and rosters. for Training and Humanitarian Efforts 8, with a shotgun golf tournament at The Classic Club followed by dinner and The Thunderbird women’s basketball silent auction. For more information on team headed off to Cuba during the all tournaments, please contact Sarah Christmas break for a series of joint Saddler at 604.822.6183 or e-mail at training sessions and exhibition games [email protected]. ;

spring 2010 BLUE;GOLD 13 MORE OF THE SPORTS YOU WANT. Big leagues deserve big coverage and that’s what you get in The Province. Looking for hockey, football, tennis, basketball, soccer or Olympic news? You name it, it’s covered in ’s most complete sports package. > Call 604-605-READ or [email protected].

canadian publication mail agreement #41473026