In Memory Of Our Leader, Mentor and Friend, Dr. Gord Sleivert
Dr. Gord Sleivert, former vice president of the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, was a beloved leader within the Canadian Sport System. He passed away suddenly in 2012 while working at a training camp with the National Swimming Team in Montreal. Gord’s contribution to high performance sport led to the creation of PISE, which evolved from the partnership between Camosun College, Canadian Sport Centre Pacific (now the Canadian Sport Institute) and PacificSport Victoria.
In June of 2013, three legacy initiatives were announced in Dr. Sleivert’s honour:
- The Canadian Sport Institute lab, within the PISE building, was renamed the Dr. Gord Sleivert Sport Performance Lab to commemorate Gord’s dedication to sport science and the creation of a “better than world class” daily training environment. A plaque hangs on the wall outside the lab to commemorate his work (see photo above).
- PISE officially dedicated its new Track & Training Zone to Dr. Sleivert. The Track & Training Zone covers the entire 9,000 sq ft former concrete patio on the south end of PISE, with a proper rubber based sport training surface that is bordered by two spring tracks and lights for year round use by athletes, students and the community.
- Camosun College created an award in Dr. Sleivert’s honour: The Gord Sleivert Award: Commitment and Perseverance. The criteria for the award is a hardworking student who has demonstrated commitment, perseverance and a passion for the community; who is from a demographic that is in need of financial supported, and who is well-rounded and not necessarily at the top of the class. The award recipient is nominated by the faculty.
“Gord’s legacy will live on in the accomplishments of the athletes, coaches and staff of the Canadian Sport Institute and his colleagues from around the globe,” said Wendy Pattenden, CEO, of the Canadian Sport Institute. “The lab was one of his favourite places in the world where he worked passionately to advance sport science in Canada and help the country win more medals.”
“It is particularly fitting that all the PISE partners came together to announce legacy components in Gord’s name as he was such a contributing visionary of the PISE partnership model,” said Robert Bettauer, CEO of PISE. “It has been very important for all of us to be able to express our appreciation for Gord and what he has meant to PISE.”