Stan Stewardson has experienced an interesting life, particularly in the world of teaching, coaching and instilling spirit. As a UBC Physical Education (Kinesiology) student graduating in 1962, Stan played on UBC’s varsity soccer and baseball teams. In fact he continued to play semi-pro baseball after UBC. A member of a well known New Westminster family, Stan was also heavily involved in lacrosse, playing for the Salmonbellies Junior and Senior teams, a tradition his son would continue in later years.
Stan’s career however was coaching basketball and for many years was a highly respected and successful head coach at the high school level in Delta. He then evolved to become head coach of the men’s Varsity team at Simon Fraser University becoming “legendary”, coaching many of that university’s best-ever teams. Following his retirement from coaching, Stan’s work would be acknowledged with his induction into the Basketball BC Hall of Fame.
However his experience and mentoring abilities led him back to lacrosse where he coached the Junior ‘A’ Salmonbellies to the Minto Cup – Canadian Championship.
Engaging and knowledgeable, this ex-Thunderbird (his wife played Thunderbird basketball in the 1950s) is also well-known locally as a historian and memorabilia collector specializing in sports and the city of New Westminster itself – which could easily consider Stan one of its own “treasures.”
Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian
