Fonds - Robert Osborne fonds

Robert (Bob) F. Osborne was a University of British Columbia athlete, coach and a founder of UBC's School of Physical Education. He enrolled at UBC in 1930 and excelled as a student athlete in basketball and track and field. He led the 1930/31 basketball team to UBC's first national championship. In 1936 Osborne played on the Canada's Olympic Basketball team that earned a silver medal in the Berlin Olympics. He taught high school at Lady Byng Secondary and coached women's varsity basketball during World War II. In 1945, Gordon Shrum appointed Osborne as Director of the School of Physical Education. He was also coach of the basketball and track and field teams. As Director of Physical Education, he implemented the degree program in Physical Education and developed a Bachelor or Recreational Education degree as well. He played an important role in the construction of War Memorial Gymnasium at UBC. In the early 1960s, he was one of the original founders of the CIAU national league for Canadian university sport. In addition, Osborne serve on the executive of many regional, provincial and national sports organizations as well various organizations attached to the Olympics, British Empire/Commonwealth Games and the Pan American Games. Osborne retired in 1978 after serving 33 years as the Director of Physical Education. He received the Order of Canada in 1981. Bob Osborne's association with UBC athletics covered more than seven decades. UBC's Osborne Gymnasium is named in his honor. Osborne passed away in May 2003 at the age of 90.