Webster, Joanie
Graduating year:1980
Degree: BPE
One is immediately struck by Joanie Webster’s passion, exuberance and energy. The 1980 Recreation in Education graduate was a “builder” and student leader at UBC from the mid 1970s through 1990, particularly in the areas of Intramurals and Recreation.
Ip, Alvin
Graduating year: 2012
Degree: BKin
As an undergraduate student, Ip became passionate about exploring Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a medical specialty concerned with restoring functional ability and quality of life in patients with neurological and musculoskeletal disabilities.
Wright, Thelma
Graduating year: 1973
Degree: BPE
The 1973 Physical Education and 1974 Education graduate is presently the only UBC female track athlete to appear in two Olympics and has won medals at Commonwealth, Pan American and World Student Games and at the World Cross Country and World All-Star meets. Recognized as one of the world’s leading cross-country runners she led UBC to three Canada West championships and two National titles.
McKaig, Terry
Graduating year: 1997
Degree: BHK
Terry as a player had made the Canadian national baseball team in 1995 but prior to his UBC appointment in 1997 had never before coached. Once he, along with his supporters the “Friends of Thunderbird Baseball”, established the program as part of the NAIA, the team experienced remarkable success.
Paterson, Ron
Graduating year: 1979
Degree: BPE
Bachelor of Physical Education, 1979 UBC Phys. Ed (Kinesiology) graduate Ron Paterson is one of the better known sports “personalities” in Vancouver and one who has given back to the game of hockey. During the 1970s Ron was one of the best amateur hockey goalies in BC, if not Canada.
Jackson, Roger
Graduating year: 1967
Degree: MPE
Dr. Jackson has a most impressive list of honours and acknowledgements including: the BC and UBC Sports Halls of Fame, UBC Alumni Achievement Award, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the IOC Olympic Order and the Order of Canada.
Mitchell, Reid
Graduating year: 1949
Degree: BPE
It was the previous year, 1948, that Reid played for the UBC team that won the Canadian basketball Olympic qualifying tournament. UBC’s victory meant Reid and his ‘Bird teammates, coached by Physical Education director Bob Osborne, were Canada’s basketball representatives at the 1948 London Olympics.
Sobral, Manny
Graduating year: 1993
Degree: BPE
By age 20, as an amateur boxer, he had won five gold medals representing Canada at international competitions. He was three times Canadian Amateur Champion and had represented Canada at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, another of UBC’s unheralded Olympians. His 126 amateur bouts included 40 knockouts and only nine losses.
Winslade, Ken
Graduating year: 1960
Degree: BPE
A native of New Westminster, Ken graduated from UBC Physical Education as the top student of his 1960 class. Not only a top student during his five years at UBC but also an All-Star guard with both the UBC Jayvees and Thunderbirds. In 1959/60 Winslade was labelled a “demon on defense” yet emerged as the Western Canada scoring champion earning league MVP honours.
Haar, John
Graduating year: 1968
Degree: BPE
As a student at UBC Haar can be considered one of the Blue & Gold’s greatest athletes. He was a record-setting T-Bird soccer player on some great UBC teams. As a Varsity football player he was pursued by the BC Lions and actually received a contract offer to play for the Dallas Cowboys. But Haar’s best sport was baseball as he played on UBC’s baseball team during the 1960s under coach Frank Gnup.