A staple in the University of Guelph community has died.
Jim Atkinson, a longtime rugby coach and faculty member for almost 50 years, passed away last Monday at the age of 76.
While he was tenured as a faculty member for 44 years at the school, he also made his mark on the sidelines of the rugby pitch.
He was coach of the Gryphons women's rugby team for 11 years, leading the program to six OUA championships and a CIS championship in 1998.
His work with women's athletics prompted the Canadian Interuniversity Sport organization to name an award after him in 2010 – the Jim Atkinson Award for women's rugby coach of the year – an award still given out today.
Before that, Atkinson spent 23 years coaching the men's rugby program, earning multiple OUAA coach of the year awards and led the program to an undefeated regular season in 1986.
His contributions were recognized in 1994, when he was inducted into the Gryphon Athletics Hall of Fame as a builder.
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague Jim Atkinson," Scott McRoberts, U of G's director of athletics said in a news release.
"He will be remembered as an incredible coach, professor, and an even better person. The student-athletes he coached over his tenured coaching career were lucky to have known him."
He was also the advisor for the College Royal for 30 years.
Originally from Leeds, England, Atkinson came to U of G in 1970 to get his PhD, and never left, earning many teaching accolades in his lengthy career.
Atkinson was a faculty member in U of G's College of Biological Science, before moving on to the Department of Animal and Poultry Science.
He is survived by his wife Susan, children Rebecca and Daniel and four grandchildren.
A private family service will be held and a celebration of life will take place later this year.
