Remembering Lionel Pugh: Hall of Fame Class 1997 and Retired Professor Emeritus UBC
Lionel Pugh’s impact on the UBC Track and Field and Cross Country program during his time as head coach from 1964 to 1987 revolutionized not only the expansion and prestige of the program, but also the quality of student athletes who were attracted to the University of British Columbia. Commencing what came to be known as the “Golden Age” of athletics at UBC, Pugh in 1964 built an indestructible track empire that placed UBC into track and field history. Without Lionel Pugh, “Beyond the Finish Line” would not include either as large or as well decorated a group of alumni that gained the national, international and Olympic heights.
Lionel Pugh was born in Wales in 1922, graduated as a teenager with an economics degree from the University of Wales while winning the Welsh Javelin Championship, flew night fighters during the war and post hostilities graduated in Physical Education from Carnegie University. After his education, Pugh became one of the top Athletics coaches in Britain, where he coached the British national track team for 11 strong years. Using his competitive background and education, Lionel transferred his knowledge gained into his coaching methods, and incidentally added his expertise to the BBC’s coverage of national and international sporting events as a broadcaster.
Lionel Pugh immigrated to Canada to teach at UBC and to continue coaching track and field at both the university and international levels. Pugh was appointed to the staff of UBC's School of Physical Education and Recreation in 1964, and in that same year, Pugh started what has come to be known as the “Golden Age” of athletics at UBC.
In his first three years UBC's teams won two (65 and 66) "National" Intercollegiate Indoor Track and Field Championship in Winnipeg, the first of four national championships for Pugh. In 1967/1968, the UBC men were victorious in the inaugural Canada West Championships, and the success only continued from there. The 1970’s saw a decade of dominance for UBC Track and Field and Cross Country and paved the way for many Olympians and Hall of Famers to attain their goals. The 1969/1970’s team, lead by the bronze medalist in the 1970 World Cross Country championship, Thelma Wright, captured the Canada West women’s cross country honors. Under Pugh’s coaching, Thelma went on to win bronze twice at the 1970 and 1974 Commonwealth Games in the 1500 meters, represented Canada at both the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games in the 1500 meters and won a silver medal in the 3000 meters at the 1975 World FISU Games in Rome. Thelma was only one of 14 Olympians Lionel Pugh produced during his time as a university and international track coach.
To be clear his athletes could not lack in self-confidence nor require constant positive feedback. As UBC Hall of Famer and Olympian John Hawkins remembers, “[Lionel’s] dry wit and recognition of vulnerability could make for a difficult time for some. If you could weather Lionel’s practices you could face down the toughest of situations or opponents at the Olympic Games!” Lionel was also a skilled golfer. He always played for money, looked for an edge and was an implacable opponent. The same attitude held true in the politics of sport. He negotiated to win for his side. He bruised many egos and cared not a whit as long as the long view was served.
1971 for UBC began the near two-decade dominance in track and field and cross-country, where Pugh guided the men's team to the crown in the Canada West Championships, led by standout athlete Rick Cuttell. The women's track and field team, being one of UBC’s finest that year, was paced to the Canada West title by Patti Loverock, Lee Eisler, Debbie Brill and Penny May, all of whom won gold at the championships. 1973/1974 had Pugh guiding a talented Women's Track and Field team as both Canada West and CIAU National Champions.
By 1977, the Men's Cross Country team had won five straight Canada West Championship in the previous six years. To solidify the dynasty Pugh had shaped at UBC, by the 1978 season, the women's track and field team had won the Canada West title the last six of eight years. Finally from 1982 to 1986, the UBC Men’s Track and Field team was Canada West Champions, and it was also the era of UBC Hall of Famer Simon Hoogewerf. Hoogewerf, who received guidance from both Pugh and another Hall of Famer, Doug Clement, and won a total of seven CIAU gold medals during these years. Hoogewerf dominated the 1980’s as Thelma Wright had done the 1970’s, and coach Pugh was there to span both decades.
For Lionel Pugh, his 14 Canada West track and field championships (not including his pre-CIAU 1965 and 1966 national victories) complimented his 11 Canada West cross-country team victories and make an argument for his place in the history books. It is also interesting to note that of the 28 recorded UBC all-time track and field individual records, 18 of them were set under the guidance of coach Pugh. During those 23 years, his knowledge, technique and forthright manner helped develop 14 Olympians (3 finalists and 8 in total in 1972 alone): Thelma Wright, John Hawkins, Patti Loverock, Tom Howard, Simon Hoogewerf, Debbie Brill, Rick Cuttell, Bill Smart, Anne Mackie-Morelli, Ian Newhouse, Ann Covell, Ken Elmer, John Beers and Lee Eisler; joining many of them as their coach for Canada in the 1972 and 1980 Olympic Games.
"No doubt he built the program" states former UBC coach Carmyn James. "He was innovative and had a high knowledge of Bio-mechanics". He was among the first to utilize the video camera, the treadmill for technique and weight training for middle distance running, and according to Thelma Wright, "He definitely had excellent knowledge...he was a coach with a lot to impart. He was the only one who made me train as hard as I did. I used what I learned from Lionel...he made me a good coach."
Lionel Pugh will be remembered as the Coach who not only put UBC on the map within Canadian athletics but into collegiate and Olympic history. Enjoying an illustrious and decorated career at UBC, Pugh was an outstanding intellectual, and a friend not only to his colleagues but also his athletes. He was inducted into the UBC Hall of Fame in 1997, for an incredible 23 years of coaching that saw an amazing 25 Canada West titles.
Patrick Grzelak BA 2014 | History Long Jump, Multi-Events
