The Windsor Lancers and Faculty of Human Kinetics are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Richard Moriarty on June, 23, 2021. He was 88 years old.
 
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Moriarty. He had a profound impact on our Faculty and broader community," said Acting Dean of the Faculty of Human Kinetics Dr. Jess Dixon. "Despite retiring more than two decades ago, his legacy and principles continue to guide much of what we do in the Faculty of Human Kinetics today."
 
Our unofficial Lancer historian, Dr. Moriarty was born in Rochester, New York on April 22, 1933. He came to Windsor in 1953 to study at Assumption College and he never left.  
 
Dr. Moriarty was fundamental in developing the Department of Athletics & Recreational Services into what it is today. At the start of his 29 year career as Director in 1956, there were only three men's teams and two women's teams that competed for the University of Windsor. Upon leaving the position in 1985, the Lancers competed in 12 men's sports and 10 women's.
 
 
"The Lancer family has lost another legend with the passing of Dr. Richard Moriarty. Dick Moriarty's hand prints are all over the history of the Windsor Lancers and Assumption Purple Raiders," said Mike Havey, Director of Athletics. "Dick led the development and growth of University of Windsor sports programs as Athletic Director. Even in retirement Dick was a regular attendee at Lancers home events. He loved the Lancers, and we loved him back. On behalf of the Windsor Lancers and Assumption Purple Raiders I send heartfelt condolences to the Moriarty family."
 
An initial inductee into the University of Windsor Hall of Fame in 1986, Dr. Moriarty founded the University of Windsor Christmas Boys Basketball High School Tournament, which today remains Canada's longest standing tournament.
 
Dr. Moriarty was also heavily involved with the Ontario University Athletic Union and was one of the founders of the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union movement (CIAU) in Canada. At both levels, he served as an executive, chaired several committees, and convened multiple sports.
 
Each year the Department of Athletics present the Dr. Dick Moriarty academic team of the year in his honour at the annual Evening of Excellence.
 
 
Academically, Dr. Moriarty began teaching in the departments of Business and English at UWindsor in 1960. He became a sessional instructor in Kinesiology (then known as the School of Physical and Health Education) in 1965 where he remained until his retirement in 1998.
 
He was inducted into the Windsor-Essex Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, and was the first person to capture all three awards available to UWindsor alumni: the Alumni Association Award (1974), the Hall of Fame Award ('86), and the Teachers Award ('98).
 
He was also the recipient of numerous national and international awards including the R. Tait McKenzie Scholar of the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, the R. Tait McKenzie Honour Award of the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and the J.P, Loosemore Award for Sports Administration from the Ontario Universities Athletic Association.

He earned his B.A. in History and Philosophy from Assumption University in 1956, his Masters in Organization and Administration of Higher Education from the University of Windsor in 1958, his Master's in Education from Wayne State University in 1966, and his Ph.D. in Organizational History of Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (Central) at Ohio State University in 1971.
 
Dr. Moriarty is survived by his wife Mary, children Sean, Kathleen and Daniel, and is now reunited with his late daughter Erin.

To view Dr. Moriarty's obituary, please visit: https://www.familiesfirst.ca/memorials/richard-dick-james-moriarty/4650960/index.php