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Dr. Robert Steadward biography

Founder, Dr. Robert Steadward has an outstanding record or working vigorously to encourage and foster inclusiveness for people with disabilities.


His achievements include:

Education and Achievements

  •  BPE (Distinction) - University of Alberta, Canada
  •  MSc - University of Alberta, Canada
  •  PhD - University of Oregon, USA
  •  LLD - University of Leuven, Belgium
  •  LLD - University of Alberta, Canada

2. Current Academic Positions:

 Professor Emeritus - University of Alberta, Canada
 Founder and Honorary President - The Steadward Centre for Personal & Physical Achievement (formerly known as the Rick Hansen Centre), Edmonton, Canada

3. Previous Academic Positions:

 Chairman - University of Alberta, Department of Athletics, 1985-1989
 Associate Dean - University of Alberta, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, 1983-1985
 Professor - University of Alberta, 1970-2001

4. Current Business Positions:

 Sport Agent, Manager, Counsellor and Consultant to numerous amateur, professional and Olympic athletes
 President - TBL Sport Services Ltd. - Edmonton, Canada

5. Previous Business Positions:

 Chairman of the Board and Director of Sport Counselling - Edmonton Sport Institute Inc. (ESI) - Edmonton, Canada (ESI is a multi disciplinary sport medicine clinic)
 Vice-President - Sport Institute Physiotherapy Inc. - Edmonton, Canada
 Chairman of the Board - MacEwan Medical Clinic - Edmonton, Canada
 President - GRI Enterprises Inc. – Edmonton, Canada

6. Current Volunteer Positions:
 
 Honorary Life Member - 2003 - Canadian Olympic Committee (COC)
 Honorary President - 2001 - International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
 Chairman of the Board - 2003 - Friends of Pro Rodeo
 Founder & Advisory Board - 2000 - Edmonton Events International 2001
 Honorary Board Member - 2001 – Edmonton Sport Council
 Consultant - 2005 – Pan American Masters Games Association


7. Previous Volunteer Positions:

Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)
 1970-1976 National Coach
 1971-1980 Chef de Mission
 1970-1986 National Governor
 1974-1976 National Treasurer
 1986-1991 President

  • Founder and President - 1971-1975 Alberta Wheelchair Sports Association (AWSA)
  • Founder, President and Chairman - 1979-1989 Canadian Sports Fund for the Physically Disabled
  • Chairman of Accreditation - 1978 Commonwealth Games - Edmonton, Canada
  • Fitness Consultant - 1978 - 1983 NHL Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club - Edmonton, Canada
  • Fitness Consultant - 1980 Canadian Olympic Hockey Team
  • Vice-President - 1983 World University Games - Edmonton, Canada
  • President - 1985-1989 Alberta Universities Athletic Association, Canada
  • Founder & Member - 1984-2003 University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame, Canada
  • Founder & President - 1983-1991 University of Alberta Green and Gold Athletic Society, Canada
  • Board and Executive / Committee Member - 1985-1989 Canada West University Athletic Association (CWUAA) & Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU)
  • Founder & Co-Chairman - 1998 Edmonton Bid Committee, 8th World Championships in Athletics Edmonton 2001 (affiliated with the International Amateur Athletics Federation)
  • Consultant and Presentation / Team Member - 1991-2001 Toronto Olympic Bid Committee for 2008 Olympic Games
  • Member - 1999 -2002 IOC Commission on Environment
  • Member - 2000 IOC Commission on Reform
  • Member - 2000- 2002 IOC Olympic Truce Foundation
  • Member - 2000- 2001 International Olympic Committee (IOC)
  • Member - 2001-2002 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission, Beijing 2008
  • Founder & President - 1989-2001 International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
  • Executive Board Member - 2002-2003 Bid Committee to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver/Whistler 2010
  • Advisory Committee Member - 2004 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA)
  • Chairman - 1987-2003 Alberta Paraplegic Foundation (Rehabilitation, Wheelchair Sports and Awareness Grants Committee) - Edmonton, Canada 
  • Board Member - 1987-2003 Alberta Paraplegic Foundation - Edmonton, Canada
  • Founder & Chairman - 2004 River City Roundup Festival
  • Executive Board Member - 2003-2005 World Masters Games in Edmonton, Canada 2005

8. Major Awards and Achievements: 

  • Inducted - Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame - 2007
  • Recipient - Albertan of the Century in Sport - 2005
  • Recipient - Edmontonian of the Century - 2004
  • Recipient - Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal – 2002
  • Inducted - Terry Fox Hall of Fame, Toronto, Canada – 2002
  • Recipient - Honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada – 2002
  • Inducted - University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame – 2002
  • Honorary President International Paralympic Committee(IPC) – 2001
  • Recipient - Honorary Doctor of Laws degree (Doctor Honoris Causa) at Leuven University, Belgium – 2001
  • Elected - Member of the IOC – 2000
  • Recipient - University of Oregon, Eugene, Distinguished Service Award, a recipient who by his knowledge and skills has made a significant contribution to the cultural development of Oregon or society as a whole - Spring 2000
  • Recipient - University of Alberta, Board of Governors Award of Distinction, in recognition of exceptional contributions to the University of Alberta by strengthening its link with the community through dedication and efforts - 2000
  • Appointed - Officer of the Order of Canada, the nation’s highest civilian honour, in recognition of national achievement and merit of a high degree, especially in service to Canada and humanity at large – 1999
  • Inducted - University of Alberta Distinguished Alumni recognizing the important contributions that University of Alberta alumni have made to their professions and to society - 1999
  • Recipient - Economic Development Edmonton Chairman’s Ambassador Award of Excellence for outstanding contribution to the City of Edmonton and ongoing promotion of Edmonton as the place of choice to invest, work, live, visit and learn. -1999
  • Nominee - Kappa Sigma Fraternity Man of the Year Award – 1999
  • Recipient - The Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (Instituted at the University of Alberta in 1982). Adjudication criteria for this award includes: for instilling vital interest in and enthusiasm for the subject on the part of students; generating a desire for continued learning; strongly encouraging students to be critical, to think independently and to solve problems; and, for consistently demonstrating a concern for student progress and availability and approachability for out-of-classroom consultation - 1997
  • Recipient - The University of Alberta Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation Teaching Award, 1996-1997
  • First runner-up Kappa Sigma Man of the Year - 1997 and 1998
  • Recipient - Dr. Robert D. Steadward inaugural award for outstanding lifetime service to the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association -1996
  • Inducted - Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame - 1996
  • Recipient - Senator John G. Tower Distinguished Alumni Award of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity for bringing great honour to the fraternity, contribution to the community, and career achievements - 1996
  • Named -  Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world - 1996
  • Nominee - Ernest C. Manning Award of Distinction - 1995
  • Recipient - King Clancy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Canadians with Disabilities - 1995
  • Recipient - Robert Jackson Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to the promotion and development of wheelchair sports – 1995
  • Recipient - Declared "A Great Albertan as shown by Exemplary Service to Fellow Albertans", by Alberta Treasury Branches, CFRN TV and AGT: a salute to individuals who unselfishly contribute time, talent and energy into making Alberta a better place to live, a better place to call home.  This honour was also manifested in a time-slot for Dr. Steadward, on CFRN television - 1995
  • Recipient - Commemorative medal May 1993, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of Canadian confederation, in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada - 1993
  • Recipient - Bryce Taylor Memorial Award presented annually by the Sports Federation of Canada to the nation's Outstanding Sport Volunteer - 1991
  • Recipient - Alberta Sport Council Volunteer of the Year Award - 1990
  • Recipient - City of Edmonton Citation Service to Citizens – 1990
  • Recipient - Kappa Sigma Alumnus of the Year - 1987
  • Recipient - Alberta Achievement Award in Sport - 1986
  • Inducted - Alberta Sports Hall of Fame - 1984
  • Honorary - Life Member Paralympic Sports Association
  • Honorary - Life Member Alberta Wheelchair Sports Association
  • Honorary - Life Member Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Honorary Life Member Canadian Paralympic Committee


 
9. Personal Profile: 

During relaxation times, Dr. Steadward enjoys running, cycling, golf, skiing, racquet sports, fly fishing, hunting, ranching and rodeo.  He has been married to Laura since 1967; their daughters Tommi Lynn and Bobbi Jo, both schoolteachers, are married to former WHL and University of Alberta ice hockey players, Hal Christiansen and Troy Hjertaas. Bob and Laura are proud grandparents of Geran and Reid Christiansen and Isabella and Reese Hjertaas.