The University of Guelph community is mourning the loss of former Gryphon men's and women's rugby coach and faculty member, Jim Atkinson.
 
The long time rugby coach and Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) faculty member passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023 at the age of 76. Obituary 
 
Jim coached the women's rugby team for 11 years (1996-97 to 2006-07), establishing the team as one of the most decorated teams in Canadian University sport recording

an undefeated record for two of the seasons. At the time OUA women's rugby was given an official OUA status in 1994, Guelph won the first two OUA titles under head coach Wayne Stobie before Atkinson took over the reins in 1996. He then led the team for the next 11 seasons winning six gold, three silver and two bronze medals in OUA competition and one gold, two silver, and a bronze at the national level, the gold coming at the inaugural championship in 1998.
 
Jim also spent 23 years coaching the men's rugby team. He was inducted to the Gryphon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994 as a builder for his coaching contributions to the Department of Athletics.
 
Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) created an award in Jim's honour in celebration of his contribution to developing women's sport at the university level. The annual award is given to a nationally selected Women's Rugby Coach of the Year.
 
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague Jim Atkinson," said Director of Athletics and Recreation, Scott McRoberts. "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."
 
Jim also taught on the U of G campus for 44 years. He started as a faculty member within the College of Biological Science and transitioned to the Department of Animal and Poultry Science (APS) in 1986. 
 
His involvement beyond the classroom and rugby pitch was just as remarkable. Jim was the College Royal Advisor for 30 years, supporting one of the University's most publicized annual events. He also co-chaired the campus-wide United Way campaign from 2007-2010. In 2004 he received the Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising Medallion for his outstanding contribution in advising students at the undergraduate level.
 
Meaghan Howat, former Gryphon rugby student-athlete remembered the late coach for his unwavering dedication to the team's academic and athletic success.  
 
"Jimmy cared deeply about his players and wanted us to be successful in the classroom and in life more so than the rugby pitch. He proudly announced academic all Canadians to the entire team and always said 'I don't know if smart women play rugby or rugby makes women smart' as a way of demonstrating his pride when his athletes were doing well in school or went on to grad studies. He was known for his exceptional reference letters and was always happy to do them for any of his players and even those who played after he was done coaching as he was always around the Gryphon rugby programs.
 
He believed strongly in keeping everyone who tried out and said 'the bigger the base the higher we can go'. I think seeing an athlete go from developing in their first season to cracking the starting 15 over the course of a 4-5 year career brought him joy but also because he knew how special the rugby program was and more athletes experiencing that made our culture stronger.
 
He genuinely cared for us and we knew Jimmy would always have our back in rugby, in Guelph, and long after when we pursued other dreams. My closest teammates and I were reminiscing about Jimmy this past week and we all are forever grateful to have played for him and to have played rugby at Guelph. Thanks to what Jimmy started it is a renowned rugby program in Canada."

Jim's family has set up a tribute giving page that supports the previously established Jim Atkinson Rugby Scholarships and Wild Ontario


Gryphon Rugby Coaching Highlights:

• Coached 35 Conference All-Stars Since 1983
• Coaching Record - 90 Career Victories
• OUAA Conference Champions - 1974
• Junior Team to John Irwin Cup Victory - 1972 & 1982
• OUAA Top Scoring Team, 198 points - 1978
• Coached 1st Team to OUAA Finals - 1983
• 7 A-Side Team to League Championship Trophy - 1983
• Undefeated Regular Season 1986
• OUAA Coach of The Year - 1986
• First Place Finish Division 11 - 1990
• OUAA Coach of The Year - 1990