Bob Vigars
Date of Birth: 1944
Category: Builder
Year of Induction: 2017
Bob has been an incredible builder of the sport of track and field at several levels, beginning with starting the Western International Invitational Cross-Country meet in 1977 on a course that ran behind Brescia College.
In 1986, Bob designed a cross-country course on the Thames Valley Golf Course – a course that has been used for 27 years and has hosted the Western International 27 times, the Ontario University Championships once, and the Canadian University Championship six times. In fact, to this day, “The Valley” course is regarded as the best university cross country course in the country.
Within track and field, cross country and gymnastics, Bob has directed an astonishing 350 events – and is the longest serving head coach among all coaches in Western Mustang history. With a total of 43 championships won, Bob holds the record among all coaches in all Western Mustang sports and is the longest serving head coach in the university’s history.
Bob founded the London-Western Track and Field Club, the Don Wright Team Challenge, the Season’s Opener, and the Western Open. He is also the author of both the inaugural OUA and CIA T&F Championships Playing Regulations, as well as the founder of both the CIS Cross Country Coaches Association and CIS Track and Field Coaches Association. Additionally, he has written and published Track & Field Curriculum for Physical Education.
Bob was named the head coach of Team Canada for the 2010 FISU World University Championships in cross country, leading Canada to its best results in world university cross country history.
Combined, these remarkable contributions led to his induction into the Western Cross Country/Track and Field Hall of Fame, Western’s All-Sports Hall of Fame, and the London Sports Hall of Fame.
