A UBC athletics pioneer. As a student before and after the First World War, in which he served, coached and played on some of UBC's most memorable rugby teams. Played UBC basketball and coached UBC women's basketball. Was a life-long inspiration to UBC athletics. Served on UBC Senate and UBC's elected Board of Governors. In its early years, was instrumental in providing UBC with an identity.
Art Lord, a source of inspiration to UBC since the school's inception, started his UBC athletic career in 1915/16 starring on the Varsity rugby team and Varsity basketball team – UBC’s initial teams in both sports. In addition to his playing on these two 1915/16 teams, he was the coach of the first UBC women's Varsity basketball team - all in his freshman year.
It was in 1916 Art co-composed the UBC yell "Kitsilano" in an attempt to inject some college spirit into UBC. For eight decades Lord would display his enthusiasm and love for UBC sports by standing and leading the "Kitsilano" yell at any and all opportunities.
Art served in World War I (he was wounded in action November 1917) but returned as a student to UBC in 1918/19. During this year he played on the Varsity basketball team and coached the Varsity rugby team, a team undefeated in an abbreviated schedule. Lord again coached the women's basketball team this year where the Totem reported "Mr. Lord's untiring patience with the team and his skills as a player have been an inspiration to all those who have turned out to the practices".
In 1919/20 Lord was selected to serve as UBC's first Men's Athletic Association president. This same year he captained the Varsity rugby team and according to the Ubyssey was considered one of the three best forwards in the city. The team itself was outstanding, winning the city championship. At the same time, his basketball expertise was being utilized as he again was coach of the Varsity women's basketball team, a team that won the city championship and the Farrell Cup.
In 1920/21, Lord's graduating year, he was elected AMS President. He was also selected to coach the UBC rugby team once again and did so with success that left a lasting impression. The team won the Vancouver championship Miller Cup (they were not yet eligible to compete for the McKechnie Cup) and in addition scored a historic 12-0 victory over Stanford, the top rugby team in the US and its Olympic representative. This victory was a huge inspiration for a relatively young university actively seeking spirit and identity. It could be said this game provided the most significant athletic victory in the history of UBC.
After his graduation in Law from Osgoode Hall in Toronto, Lord returned to serve as the UBC Alumni Association president in 1925/26 and as the Alumni representative on the Big Block Committee. Lord was admitted to the bar in 1924 and from 1924 to 1957 was a member of the University Senate. In 1940 he was elected to the University Board of Governors (along with Sherwood Lett) and served until 1957.
Lord was appointed County Court Judge in 1951, was named to the Supreme Court in 1955 and the Appeals Court in 1963. Art is remembered with great affection and respect, "quietly effective" by his contemporaries and fellow students. He was not only UBC's first outstanding athlete but also one of the first of UBC's outstanding quality individuals.
Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian
