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University of Toronto Athletics

Ken Wood

Ken Wood

Ken came to Canada in 1956 to work with Hawker Siddelely on the development of the infamous "Arrow" fighter. The demise of this project allowed Ken to pursue his athletic interests on a full time basis.
After starting Fencing clubs at both Ryerson & York Universities, he eventually arrived at UofT in 1964 as fencing & tennis Instructor.

At UofT, Maitre Wood has coached nearly two-dozen teams to OUA championships, including eight in the 1980s alone. He is one of only two UofT coaches to lead four championship teams in one year (men and woman's tennis as well as men and woman's fencing). Under Maitre Wood's mentorship, many UofT fencers have won OUA championships as well as prestigious awards like the George Tully Trophy for skill, sportsmanship and outstanding ability at the Meet. Maitre Wood has also led fencers to success at provincial, national and international competitions including the British Empire (later Commonwealth) Games, Pan-America Games and the World Championships.

Ken was named the 1985 Thomas R. Louden Award winner for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of University Athletics. In 2002,
Maitre Wood was elected to the UofT Sports Hall of Fame as a Builder & Fencing Coach. 

Off campus Ken is a full member of the British, American & Canadian Fencing Masters Associations and was active in the development of
fencing in Canada.

Ken's hobbies, which are a break from the demanding coaching schedule, include cycle touring each summer throughout Europe, USA & Canada, golfing, and cooking.