Athlete, coach and a founding father of UBC's physical education faculty. Star UBC basketball player, played for Canada in '36 Olympics, coached UBC basketball and cross-country, coached UBC basketball team that represented Canada at the Olympics in '48. Implemented UBC's physical education and recreation degree program, served as Physical Education director for 33 years.
Bob enrolled at UBC in 1930 after building a strong athletic reputation at his Vancouver high school, Magee. At his first UBC track meet, the Interclass meet in October 1930, Osborne won the 220 yd. dash in 24.2 seconds and finished second in the 100 yd. dash.
Bob's long and eventful career in UBC basketball began by earning a berth as a 17-year old on the very strong Blue and Gold Varsity team in 1930. This team finished the regular season 16-2 and defeated the defending Canadian champion New Westminster Adanacs in the BC finals. Defense was the key to their success and this is where Osborne shone. Ubyssey noted: "To get past the outstretched arms of the equally gigantic Osborne is a feat that the Adanacs have yet to accomplish." With the prize newcomer Bob Osborne playing a leading role, UBC went on to become Canadian champions that year - the very first Canadian championship won by a UBC team.
In 1931/32 Osborne, newly elected basketball captain, was described as "the most promising defenseman in BC" on what was shaping up to be another strong UBC team. This same year, in track and field, he was the top UBC broad jumper with a leap of 17'10" and also won the varsity 220 and 440 races.
In March 1932 Osborne was elected by acclamation to the position of President of Men's Athletics.
In 1932/33 Osborne, again guard and captain, came into his own as a shooter with the Blue and Gold taking over as the team's top scorer. This contingent was one of the best, winning the very competitive Vancouver inter-city league championship in relatively easy fashion.
In 1933/34 Osborne was captain of yet another powerful UBC basketball team. The acknowledged team leader and high scorer was described this year as "... so good there is nobody under coach Allen's wing right now who can substitute for him."
After his graduation in 1934, Bob continued to play all-star basketball for several years in the inter-city league, likely the strongest league in Canada. He was acknowledged as one of the nation's top players by being selected to play for Canada's team in the 1936 Olympics. This Canadian team did well, finishing in second place behind the US. Canada's silver that year has proved to be the best Canada has done in Olympic basketball.
While teaching at Lord Byng High School in Vancouver, Bob returned to the university to serve as coach of UBC's women's Varsity basketball team. It was in 1941 that the Osborne-coached team, led by Ruth Wilson, went all the way to the BC championship final game, only to lose to Victoria.
After World War II, Dr. Gordon Shrum requested that Bob return to campus and in 1945 Osborne was appointed to the position of director of the School of Physical Education. In addition to directing this new faculty, Bob also served as the head coach of the basketball and track and field teams.
In 1945/46 coach Osborne was able to obtain for UBC a berth in the US Pacific Northwest Basketball Conference. The Thunderbirds won in grand style the Conference championship that season as well as score victories over the likes of the University of Oregon, University of Washington, Washington State and a very rare victory over the Harlem Globetrotters. Osborne, by virtue of his team's victorious season, was the coach of the first Canadian basketball team to win an American intercollegiate conference championship.
In 1945 and 1946 Osborne also coached UBC's cross-country track team to two Pacific Coast Conference championships and in 1956 served as manager of Canada's Olympic track team.
In 1947/48 Osborne coached UBC to its fourth Canadian basketball championship, defeating the best university and Senior 'A' teams in the country. As a result, coach Osborne, along with six key players from his 1947/48 team, was selected to form the basis of the basketball team that would represent Canada in the 1948 Olympics. As a coach, Osborne brought to UBC both national and international recognition.
As Physical Education Director, Bob experienced many proud moments. He implemented the degree program in Physical Education, UBC being one of only three schools in Canada to provide such a degree. He was also involved in the creation of the Bachelor of Recreation Education degree, as he was also the first president of the BC Recreation Association. In addition, Osborne played an important role in the movement responsible for the construction of War Memorial Gymnasium the hub of UBC Athletics since 1951.
Osborne made many national contributions including in the early 1960s being one of the original founders of the CIAU - a national league for Canadian university sport. He also served as national president of the Canadian Amateur Athletic Union and was a high profile Canadian representative in the international athletic arena including helping bring the 1954 Commonwealth Games to Vancouver and UBC.
In 1978 Bob Osborne who three years later was appointed to the Order of Canada, stepped down after 33 years as Physical Education Director completing a distinguished career in UBC sport that spanned five decades.
Bob Osborne not only established precedents and standards as a UBC and Canadian athlete and builder but this dignified and very ethical gentleman was a special person in UBC's history. His formal portrait and his alone is displayed in the foyer of War Memorial Gym while UBC's Osborne Gym is named in his honour. Bob passed away in May 2003 and having touched so many people, it was a veritable who's who of UBC and UBC athletics attending his service.
This Inductee is also in the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian
