Series S2 - Coaching and teaching films

Born in Camrose, AB, on January 30, 1937, Rolf joined the staff at Royal Military College in 1961 as a coach in football, nordic skiing, and gymnastics. As an instructor he was a nationally certified coach in ski jumping and gymnastics. In 1963, he was appointed to the School of Physical and Health Education at Queen’s, where he assumed both teaching and coaching responsibilities. Rolf’s primary areas of expertise were in the history of sport and in outdoor pursuits. Rolf continued teaching courses in sport history following his appointment to the Chair of Athletics in 1988, a post he held until his retirement in 1996.

Rolf was a long-time track-and-field coach at Queen’s with a career that spanned more than 25 years. During his tenure as Head Coach of both our men’s and women’s track-and-field teams, Rolf brought home three men’s provincial championship titles, five second-place finishes, and six third-place finishes. While he was head coach for the men’s and women’s cross-country teams for more than 20 years, Tricolour athletes won five provincial championships and four national titles.

In addition, Rolf coached both the men’s Alpine and Nordic Skiing teams during in the late 1960s, leading the Nordic men’s team to one national and three provincial titles.

Known as a very strong supporter of grassroots development of sports in Canada, Rolf served as a coach and administrator with Canadian teams at the World Student Games, Pan-Am Games, World Track and Field Championships, and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Olympic Association, Pan Am Athletics Council, and Commonwealth Games Association.