During his 19 years leading the Queen’s Gaels football program, Doug Hargreaves was recognized not only as one of the best head coaches in the history of Queen’s but in all of university football as well.

Hargreaves, who was also an associate professor in the Queen’s School of Physical Health and Education, led the team to the playoffs 16 consecutive times and won the Vanier Cup, the national title for university football, twice. At the helm of the Gaels from 1976 to 1994, he retired as one of the winningest coaches in the history of university sports and his 0.648 winning percentage is the highest of any Queen’s football coach.

A Queen’s alumnus (Arts’60), Hargreaves passed away from cancer on July 5, 2016.

In recognition of his achievements and lasting contributions to Queen’s, the university has renamed the main thoroughfare through West Campus as Hargreaves Way.

“Coach Hargreaves was a very special part of life at Queen’s during his time with the university and he had a positive influence on many within the Queen’s community, particularly his players,” says Tom Harris, Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic). “His legacy of competitiveness and integrity live on today with the Gaels program and now is recognized on campus with the naming of Hargreaves Way.”

During his time as head coach the Gaels won the Vanier Cup in 1978 and 1992 and captured eight conference titles. Overall, Hargreaves finished with a 110-59-3 (wins-losses-ties) record. His 1978 national championship team finished with a perfect 10-0 record. In 1983, Hargreaves was recognized as Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Coach of the Year, receiving the Frank Tindall Trophy.

His impact at Queen’s wasn’t only felt on the football field. His most enduring legacy consists of his inspirational approach to leadership and life. Hargreaves continually emphasized character, skills, and academic abilities for his players with the goal of creating and building successful careers and lives. He believed that sports was a vital complement to the education of young people and cited many of his best athletes as some of the best academic students.

Dave Wilson (PHE’83, Ed’84, MEd’94), retired head coach of the Gaels women’s basketball team, was a student of Hargreaves' in the former School of Physical Education and a good friend.

“Doug cared deeply for his students,” Wilson says. “He had a real love of sport. His philosophy was that sport is simply a vehicle for helping people to reach their potential. He believed sport could teach values that could help people contribute to making a difference in the world.”

Hargreaves also was instrumental in the formation of the Queen’s Football Club, an organization for football alumni, and the catalyst behind the Queen’s Football Hall of Fame.

Over the years Hargreaves’ dedication and leadership at Queen’s has been recognized with accolades including the Distinguished Service Award, John Orr Award, Jim Bennett Achievement Award and in 2012, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the university.

Hargreaves Way, formerly West Campus Lane, runs north-south through West Campus from Johnson Street to Union Street. Over the coming weeks, Queen’s will work with the City of Kingston on the process of assigning a new Hargreaves Way address to a number of buildings and fields, including Richardson Stadium, Miklas-McCarney Field, and the John Orr Tower. 

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane honoured Hargreaves during a private event with family, friends, and university administrators on Oct. 7. At the event, the Hargreaves Memorial Award was presented to a first-year varsity athlete who has shown academic and athletic excellence.

There will also be a special tribute at the football game at Richardson Stadium during Homecoming on Oct. 19.

To honour Mr. Hargreaves, the Queen’s community and others can donate to the Doug Hargreaves Memorial Fund online or by contacting Allison Slopack at 613-533-6000 ext. 75084.