Paul Wilson is one of Trent's longest serving employees having been appointed in 1966 to his current position of Director of Athletics. Among his peers, Paul is one of the most experienced and established Athletic Directors in the province and is the longest serving university athletics director in the country. He is also a leader among Trent staff and a loyal ambassador and promoter of Trent University and the City of Peterborough.

In his role as Athletic Director, and coach, Paul has taught generations of students crucial lessons about sport. He has placed emphasis on participation versus elite performance and educated students about the values of sportsmanship. He also encouraged students to take leadership roles in organizing sport activities and to introduced them to sports administration.

Throughout his athletic career, Wilson has been a leader as an athlete and promoter of all sport, most notably squash and rugby. The popularity of squash in Peterborough is directly attributable to Paul's efforts to create the first squash facilities in the community at Trent. Through his involvement in team sports, like the Peterborough Pagans, Paul has helped the sport of rugby grow, whether it is at the high school or university levels or in community leagues. He has invested countless hours as a referee for rugby and squash events, organizing tournaments and serving as a volunteer official at schools throughout the region.

In addition to his athletic accomplishments in the field and on the squash court, Paul has demonstrated leadership by advancing the interests of sports at the national level and by contributing to the life of the community. Since 1978, he has served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Association of University Athletic Directors. He assumed the role of Chair, Sport Technical Committee for the 1980 Ontario Summer Games in Peterborough and Vice-Chair of the 1986 Ontario Summer games, also in Peterborough.

From 1990-96 Paul was a member of the Ontario University Athletic Association Executive and served as the Association's president from 1992-94. In 1999-2000, Paul was elected as the staff representative to serve on the Trent University Board of Governors. He has cultivated a loyal following among Trent alumni, especially among its varsity athletes, and has partnered with external groups to create recognition ceremonies that pay tribute to Trent students who excel in sports and academics.

The award will be presented to Paul Wilson at the May 31 Convocation.

For more information contact:

Paul Wilson, Director of Athletics, (705) 748-1011, ext. 1252