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John Meagher

Category

Builder

Sport

Multi-Sport

Hometown

Fredericton

Year Inducted

2009

Sport Ambassador

builder

John Meagher, Ph. D. (D)

HONOURED MEMBER

Biography

Dr. John Meagher of Fredericton was a dedicated builder who left an indelible mark on sports in New Brunswick.He has been described as having the greatest influence on the province’s sports, recreation and physical education system in the past 50 years.Dr. Meagher was called the “builder of New Brunswick’s sports builders” because the infrastructure he created allowed coaches, teachers and administrators to build sport in the province. As director and member of the physical education program at the University of New Brunswick, he helped educate and shape more than 2,500 graduates.He was a leading volunteer in the establishment of the New Brunswick Games, Sport New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame and also contributed greatly at the national level.While we lost him in 2008, his legacy remains. Enrolled in the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame, June 6, 2009.

Quick Facts

  • Called the “Builder” of New Brunswick’s Sports Builders 

  • Developed, and headed, the School of Physical Education at UNB, guiding an estimated 2,500 graduates during his 31 year career 

  • Locally, conducted hundreds of hockey clinics and National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) courses 

  • Assisted and advised in the design/construction of gymnasia, hockey arenas, tennis courts and outdoor fields for schools and communities all over Eastern Canada 

  • Originator, and director, of the 1967 NB Winter Games, the first provincial games in New Brunswick 

  • Three-time member of NB mission staff at the Canada Games (‘67, ‘69 and ‘71) 

  • Co-authored (with fellow Honoured Member Vance Toner)“The First Steps - A Master Plan for Sport In New Brunswick” in 1978 

  • Provincially, conducted hundreds of workshops for coaches, physical education teachers and recreation personnel 

  • Nationally, served three terms (1963 - 1966) on federal government’s Fitness and Amateur Sport Advisory Council 

  • Authored three major, national reports including 1969's “Amateur Hockey in Canada - A Blueprint for the 70's” 

  • Recipient of Honor Awards and Certificates of Merit from the Atlantic Provinces Health, Physical Education and Recreation as well as the Canadian Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation 

  • Recipient of Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, awarded in recognition of worthy and devoted service 

  • Named to the Order of New Brunswick in 2006

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