Former Gaels football coach Doug Hargreaves will receive an honorary degree at this morning’s convocation ceremony.

“Doug Hargreaves was an influential and successful coach who provided exceptional leadership and vision for our football program over his 19 seasons as head coach,” says Leslie Dal Cin, Director, Athletics and Recreation. “He was instrumental in the formation of the Gaels Football Club and Alumni Football Hall of Fame, he was in the vanguard of his profession, respected by colleagues and opponents alike and in many ways set the standard for our program that other coaches sought to achieve.”

Mr. Hargreaves led the Gaels to 16 consecutive Ontario-Quebec Intercollegiate Football Conference semifinal- and 13 league-championship appearances over his 19 seasons as head coach of the Queen's University football program. He won nine of those title games, posting two undefeated seasons (1978 and 1989). His teams, known Canada-wide as well-coached and disciplined, won three of nine national semifinal games (1978, 1983 and 1992), and the coveted national Vanier Cup title in 1978 and 1992.

Mr. Hargreaves was honored with the Frank Tindall Trophy as Canadian Interuniversity Sport Football Coach of the Year after the 1983 season. His overall record of 128 wins, 103 losses and three ties, spans a career from the Royal Military College, Dalhousie University and Queen's (110-59-3), having coached the most football games in the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union.

He was instrumental in forming the Gaels Football Club and was the catalyst behind the Alumni Football Hall of Fame. Upon retirement in 1994, Hargreaves was inducted into the Queen's Football Hall of Fame the following year.

Mr. Hargreaves' dedication and leadership towards Queen's has been recognized over the years with accolades including the Distinguished Service Award, the John Orr Award and the Jim Bennett Achievement Award.

Athletics and Recreation hosts a reception for Mr. Hargreaves in the Student Lounge this afternoon. Visit the Athletics and Recreation website for details.

Spring Convocation honorary degree recipients