LONDON, Ont. - Former Olympic gold medallist and former president of the Canadian Olympic Committee Roger Jackson will deliver the keynote address on Feb. 16. The dinner begins at 6 p.m and the address will follow.
The Western Mustangs rowing alumnus will deliver the speech as part of the 4th Annual Western Rowing Gala and Silent Auction to raise funds for Western's rowing program.
Jackson received the prestigious Order of Canada and is the current CEO of Own the Podium - 2010.
Silent auction prizes include a Hudson Single boat, and tickets for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and the Toronto Raptors. There is even a rowing session with Olympic coaches up for bids. Other prizes include clothing, fitness and travel and accommodation packages.
Peter McClelland, president of Western Rowing and an event organizer along with Connor Teskey, said this will be the biggest of the four years they've hosted a gala.
"It brings together current athletes, parents, coaches, organizers, school officials and most importantly alumni, and it's an important way for these groups to interact," McClelland said. "It's also an opportunity to celebrate the tradition that is Western Rowing."
"The main component is Dr. Roger Jackson's keynote address," he said. "Dr. Jackson is a Western rowing alumnus and he's accomplished a lot of great things in the past and now with Own the Podium.
All are invited to attend. Tickets for the dinner are $100 each or $185 for a pair, or purchase a table of eight for $700. Limited tickets are still available in advance, RSVP to Connor Teskey at cteskey.hba2009@ivey.ca or call 519 520.4694.
WHAT: Roger Jackson delivers keynote address, along with dinner and presentations at 4th Annual Western Rowing Gala and Silent Auction
WHEN: Feb. 16, 2008, Dinner 6 p.m., speech to follow
WHERE: Hilton Hotel, London, Ont.
About Roger Jackson
A three-time Olympian, Roger Jackson credits Western for introducing him to the sport of rowing.
Jackson came to Western in 1960 to experience something new. An avid athlete in high school, he considered trying out for the Mustangs football team, but ended up seeing a sign that indicated he could try something different: rowing.
Since the only Canadian medallists at the Rome Olympics that year were the University of British Columbia eights, Jackson decided to try his hand at the sport.
Some of Jackson's fondest memories of Western were the times he spent rowing under coach Phil Fitz-James, father of OUA rowing.
“He was the one who gave me the first opportunity to be on the water and get involved in the sport,” Jackson said..
Jackson participated in varsity rowing throughout his undergraduate degree and was awarded three first colours for his effort. After graduation, he undertook a Master’s degree in physical education at UBC, all the while competing in varsity rowing.
In 1964, Jackson competed in the Tokyo Olympics, bringing home the gold in the coxless pairs event with UBC teammate George Hungerford.
Jackson went on to compete in two more Olympic Games, as well as two World Championships.
In the interim, he obtained his PhD in biodynamics from the University of Wisconsin in 1970, engaged in postdoctoral research and teaching at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and later landed a position as Dean of physical education at the University of Calgary from 1978 to 1988.
Jackson generated over $100 million for the Faculty, built a brand new building, created new graduate and research programs and established the university Sport Medicine Centre, which is one of the best in Canada and respected internationally as well.
Aside from academics, Jackson was elected three times as the president of the Canadian Olympic Association, has served on the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) Executive Committee, and was Chairman of the PASO Technical Commission for 15 years. He’s consulted on the organization of several Olympic Games and is now the CEO of Own The Podium ? 2010, a $110-million sport technical initiative designed to help Canada become the No. 1 nation in terms of medals won at the coming Vancouver Olympics.
Jackson is a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Olympic Hall of Fame, and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. He’s been awarded the Vanier Award as an outstanding young Canadian, has received an honorary degree from the University of New Brunswick, has been honoured as Canada’s Sport Volunteer of the Year, and has received the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s Outstanding Athlete.
