Gord Grace, Director of Athletics at the University of Windsor has been named the new president of Ontario University Athletics, as announced by the OUA this week.
He'll replace outgoing OUA president Lorne Adams from Brock University who recently completed his term this spring. The appointment is effective immediately and will see Grace continue on as Windsor's athletic director in addition to being the OUA's new president.
Recently, Grace served as vice-president and treasurer for OUA and he is currently a board member for Canadian University Sport.
A native of Chatham, Ont., Grace has served as the University of Windsor's athletic director since 2002. During his tenure, Lancer teams have captured 19 OUA provincial titles and 10 CIS national titles.
"I am very honoured and pleased to take over as the president of Ontario University Athletics," commented Grace. "We have made great strides in the OUA in recent years and I'm excited to have the chance to play a key role in ensuring our league's growth and development moving forward."
As athletic director at the University of Windsor, Grace oversees the operation of Lancer varsity athletics, campus recreation, the St. Denis Athletic Centre and the Green Shield Sports Therapy Clinic.
"Gord is a proven leader who will bring experience and passion to the role of OUA President," added OUA executive director Ward Dilse. "I look forward to working closely alongside Gord to help strengthen our OUA brand and our organization starting next season."
Grace has an extensive background in coaching, sport management, marketing and fundraising, making him an ideal fit for the position. Prior to arriving in Windsor, he served as the director of development at Mount Allison University where he managed a $25 million fundraising campaign.
He also spent three seasons as the head football coach at Mount Allison, where he led the team to a conference championship in 1997 and was named the AUS football coach of the year in 1998.
"There are a lot of exciting things happening in Ontario University Athletics right now and it will be our goal to ensure that we continue to build momentum for our universities, varsity teams and student-athletes going forward," said Grace.
Grace holds a bachelor of mathematics from the University of Waterloo and a master's degree in sport management from the University of Michigan.
