Celebrate
the Past
Virtual Hall of Fame Maurice L. Van Vliet 1957-1959
“A Giant has come this way leaving a well-trodden path for others to follow.”
Maurice Lewis Van Vliet passed away peacefully in Edmonton on April 4, 2001. A pioneer and a giant of the field of physical education, “Maury” served her adopted country well – he was recognized nationally and internationally in this, his chosen field. Born in Bellingham, Washington on August 3, 1913, Maury grew up in Monrovia, California. Throughout high school, junior college and university, he was an outstanding athlete. Maury attended the University of Oregon on an athletic scholarship and lettered in football, baseball and track. He was offered a baseball contract from the New York Yankee organization, which he declined in order to accept a position as a one-man physical education staff at the University of British Columbia. His approach to physical education, the organization of intramural activities, and his coaching duties in football, basketball, track, boxing, and lacrosse led to many successes, including the Dominion Basketball Championship in 1937. his popularity and success caught the attention of the president of the University of Alberta. In 1945 he moved to Edmonton as a full professor. This move began a career spanning 33 years that involved coaching and administration and put the University of Alberta in the forefront of physical education in Canada. Maury served as Director of the School of Physical Education and as the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education (and later Recreation). His career culminated with the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton where he held the position of President and CEO of the Organizing Committee. Maury served on countless local, provincial and national bodies that promoted physical education as a profession. He was the driving force and a founding member of CAHPERD. He received his Master of Science degree from the University of Oregon (1940) and his Doctor of Education degree from the University of California (1951). For his timeless and unselfish efforts in promoting amateur sport and physical education enhancement, he was given numerous honours. Among them were CAHPERD’s R. Tait McKenzie Award of Honour in 1963; the Centennial Medal in 1967; Officer, Order of Canada in 1979; Confederation of Canada 125th Anniversary Medal, 1992; Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine; and was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. Maury was earned Honorary Degrees with the University of Western Ontario (LL.D, 1973), University of Windsor (LL.D, 1978), University of Alberta (LL.D, 1979), Dalhousie University (LL.D, 1979) Queen’s University (LL.D, 1980), and the University of Victoria (Ed.D, 1982). Maury and his wife Virginia raised a family of four children and built a network of friends and allies around the world. Maury was extremely proud of his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On April 11, 2001, a Memorial Service in celebration of Maury’s life was held at the main gymnasium of the Van Vliet Physical Education Centre at the University of Alberta. Many of his friends, family and colleagues from across Canada spoke about Maury – his life and his career. Following are excerpts from these presentations. Dr. Maurice Lewis Van Vliet, OC 1913-2001 “…he was the ultimate coach. His children and grandchildren have all heard stories from people about how he changed people’s lives. Many people, over the years, have come up to me and said ‘You know your grandfather changed my life.” He changed the direction, the career that I’ve chosen, the way that I’ve acted with people, he changed the direction of my thesis, he changed something about me and the way I look at the world… What he expected from us – all of us – was our best. Somehow, he seemed to know what that best was and how to get it out of us.” Todd Van Vliet Maury’s grandson A Tribute on behalf of the Family “Maury, thank you for believing in us as we were learning to believe in ourselves. Thank you for being the lifelong teacher that you were. Thank you for being our role model. Thank you for being the confidant that you were for so many of us throughout our lives. I’m sure that I speak on behalf of all of your students when I say ‘Maury, we will not only carry on the tradition, we will enhance it.” Dr. Barry Mitchelson A Tribute on behalf of the Students “…when thinking of Maury Van Vliet, think of the legacy that he has left; the building, our students, our staff… I say to each member of the staff and to all students: this is the man we thank for a happy family – a happy staff, happy students. May I suggest to you that as you walk down the hall here, look at the picture of Maury Van Vliet – give him a good look in the eye – and say, “Thanks, Chief!” Dr. Herb McLachlin A Tribute on behalf of the Colleagues “He brought to his coaching a world of experience, knowledge, and insight, tempered by his own outstanding career as a multisport athlete and a decade of highly successful coaching at UBC. Equally important, he brought a truly warm, human approach that made every player feel valued and confident that if he did his best, whatever level of skill he brought to the team, he earned his place – and best of all, Maury’s respect. He was the antithesis of the stereotype of the hard-driving, insensitive coach. Careful planning, based on his keen insight and analysis, were combined with meticulous teaching, inspirational leadership, and an every-ready sense of shared humour and fun. We came to understand that we were responsible for performing to our own level of ability today while striving to improve in every way possible to be better tomorrow. Mistakes were to be learned from. What wasn’t acceptable was a lack of effort or attention or, worst of all, selfishness.” Dr. Murray Smith A Tribute on behalf of Athletes and Coaches “To me Dr. Van Vliet exemplifies the spirit of vision and leadership that our University of Alberta holds so dear. As an academic, his vision held broad sway. I discovered that he was instrumental in shaping the founding principles for physical education in elementary and secondary school programs. I know that he led in establishing physical education as a legitimate university discipline across Canada and well beyond. And leadership it was! With his one-person army in 1945, aided and abetted by [his wife] Virginia, he began to systematically build a formidable set of academic programs in physical education and recreation, including the establishment at our University of the first doctoral program in physical education anywhere in the British Commonwealth.” Dr. Rod Fraser, President A Tribute on behalf of the University of Alberta
M.L. Van Vliet – The Dean We that had loved him, Followed him, honoured him, Lived under his sharp and magnificent eye; Learned his great language, Caught his clear accents, Made his our pattern to live and to die. Dr. R. Gerry Glassford To you with failing hands I throw the torch, Be yours to hold it high!! If you break faith with me who died, I shall not rest Though Wild Roses bloom in Alberta Adapted by Dr. R. Gerry Glassford From the original work of John McRae.
Compiled by Andrea Grantham
Accolades
Articles Taken from the book R. Tait McKenzie Memorial Addresses Swimming with the Political Tide In reviewing the status-quo of physical education in our schools and sports in our communities and (unfortunately there is a difference) in terms of reasonable analysis and some rational suggestions, I do have one distinct advantage over most of you here today. I am in the position that Montaigne refers to when he states, “I speak truth not so much as I would, but as much as I dare: and I dare a little more as I grow older.” MAURY L. VAN VLIET (July 31, 1978)
Commonwealth Games Issue Dr. Gerald Redmond CAHPER members, also, can take pride in the fact that the 1978 Commonwealth Games President has been an active member of the Association for 40 years.
Images
1959 Maury Van Vliet - center
Journal V44 N4_1978 |
Copyright © PHE Canada, 2008 Formerly
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