Head and shoulders image of A.C. (Colb) McEown, first Vice-president (academic).

Bio/Historical Note: Alpheus Colborne McEown was born in 1901 in London, Ontario, and was a graduate of Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon. Aside from his academic career at the University of Saskatchewan, McEown had a lengthy athletic career as a player, trainer, and coach. He played forward for the Arts and Science Hockey Club in 1918-1919. From 1921-1922 McEown was player and trainer for the U of S hockey team. In 1921 he was also acting manager of the Saskatoon Hilltops. McEown was also a major driving force behind the establishment of Rutherford Rink, which opened on campus in 1929. In 1932 he was hired by Walter Murray and Joe Griffiths to coach the university men’s basketball team. McEown coached the men’s basketball team to eight Rigby Cup Championships between 1932 and 1948. These eight titles came in consecutive years, beginning in 1935. He coached the Huskies football team in 1939, 1940, 1943, 1944, and 1945. McEown taught at both Bedford Road Collegiate and the U of S. He joined the U of S in 1949 as first assistant to the President. In 1961 he became the first vice-president (academic) at the U of S. His responsibilities included general administration as well as managing the university’s finances. McEown also served on the University Senate, on the Board of Governors and was president of the U of S Alumni Association. In early 1968 McEown was appointed vice-president of the U of S. McEown held this position until his death on 8 April 1968. The McEown Park residences, on the corner of 14th Street East and Cumberland Avenue South, as well as McEown Avenue in Nutana are named in his honour. The Colb McEown Award is given annually to the U of S sports coach of the year.