OTTAWA (CIS) – The Honourable R. Roy McMurtry will be honoured by Canadian Interuniversity Sport at Wednesday night's awards reception, to be held at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel as part of CIS’ annual general meeting.
McMurtry will receive the L.B. “Mike” Pearson Award, presented to a distinguished Canadian citizen of outstanding achievements who, having participated in interuniversity athletics, has by his/her personal accomplishments exemplified the ideals and purposes of interuniversity athletics and amateur sport.
Sports reporter Mary Caton, legendary basketball coach Bob Bain and long-time administrator Patricia Murray are also being honoured on Wednesday night.
“It’s important that we take time to celebrate and show our sincere appreciation for the outstanding careers of these four individuals,” said CIS president Leo MacPherson. “Each of the award recipients has made significant and meaningful contributions that have led to the growth and development of CIS and university sport in Canada.”
Also highlighting the awards reception will be guest speaker Mike Babcock, head coach of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. Babcock, who led Detroit to the Stanley Cup in 2008 and Team Canada to gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, left his mark on CIS hockey in the 80s and early 90s. As a player, he spent four seasons with McGill (1983-84 to 1986-87), where he was a team captain and MVP, and a two-time all-star defenceman. A few years later, in 1993-94, he guided Lethbridge to the University Cup national championship in his only campaign at the helm of the Pronghorns.
L.B. “MIKE” PEARSON AWARD
The Honourable R. Roy McMurtry, Q.C., has a long-standing record of public and community service, as well as a lifelong love for the game of football.
A native of Toronto, McMurtry received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Toronto’s Trinity College in 1954 and a bachelor of laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1958. While at the U of T, he played four seasons with the Varsity Blues football team, meriting conference all-star status in 1952, and later on a spot on the Blues’ all-century team. He signed with the Montreal Alouettes in 1954 but instead of playing linebacker in the Canadian Football League, he decided to become a high school coach and, in 1956, joined the Varsity Blues staff as an assistant for two campaigns. More than three decades later, in 1990, he would resume his involvement in football as chairman and chief executive officer of the CFL.
Following his graduation from Osgoode Hall Law School, McMurtry practiced law as a trial counsel for 17 years before being elected to the Ontario legislature in 1975. Upon election, he was appointed to the Cabinet of Premier William G. Davis as the Attorney General of Ontario, a position he held until 1985.
As Attorney General, he oversaw important reforms to Ontario’s justice system including bilingualism in the courts, multiculturalism and family law. He took an active part in the negotiations that led to the repatriation of the Canadian Constitution and the creation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. During that period, he also served for four years as the Solicitor General for Ontario.
In 1985, McMurtry was appointed Canada’s High Commissioner to Great Britain, a post which he held until late 1988. In 1991, he was named Associate Chief Justice of the Superior Court in Ontario and then Chief Justice of that court in 1994. In February 1996, he was appointed Chief Justice of Ontario, a capacity in which he served for over 11 years until May 30, 2007.
McMurtry is the founder and president of the Osgoode Society, a body established in 1979 for the writing of Canadian legal history which to date has published 70 books. In 2007, his significant contributions to the legal profession were recognized with Osgoode Hall Law School’s Award of Excellence (The Robinette Medal) and the President of the Bar Association’s Award of Merit. He also received an honorary Degree from York University in 1991. He was appointed a member of the Order of Ontario in January 2008 and was inducted as an Officer in the Order of Canada on September 2, 2010.
He is currently Chancellor of York University.
“Roy McMurtry’s contributions and achievements as a student-athlete, as a professional and as an educator across the varying forums are unparallel,” said Beth Ali, director of Intercollegiate and High Performance Sport at the University of Toronto. “He has dedicated his life to the betterment of others as well as servicing his community and the country. The University of Toronto could not be prouder to have nominated him for this much deserved recognition, highlighting not only what he’s achieved at the collegiate level but far beyond. He’s a remarkable individual and a true Canadian icon.”
PAST CIS AWARD RECIPIENTS
L.B. “Mike” Pearson Award:
2012 The Honourable R. Roy McMurtry
2011
Not awarded
2010
Not awarded
2009
Not awarded
2008
Not awarded
2007
Not awarded
2006 Dr. Jean-Marie De Koninck
2005 Sylvia Fedoruk
2004
Not awarded
2003 Ed Zemrau
2002 Dr. Robert Brodrick
2001 Dick Pound
2000 Paul Giannelia
1999 Dr. Sean Riley
1998
Not awarded
1997 Carol Anne Letheren
1996 Doug Mitchell
1995 John Cleghorn
1994 Senator Trevor Eyton
1986-93
Not awarded
1985 George Springate
1984 Dr. Hugh Noble
1981-83
Not awarded
1980 The Right Honourable Roland Michener
1976-79
Not awarded
1975 Angus Duncan McLachlin
1973-74
Not awarded
1972 The Right Honourable L.B. “Mike” Pearson
About Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Every year, 11,000 student-athletes and 700 coaches from 54 universities and four regional associations vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships. For further information, visit
www.cis-sic.ca or follow us on:
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/CIS_SIC
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/cissports
YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/universitysport
-CIS-
For more information:
Michel Bélanger
Manager, Communications & Media Relations
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Off: (613) 562-5670 ext. 25
Cell: (613) 447-6334
belanger@universitysport.ca
www.cis-sic.ca
