Revered former rugby star for over 40 years was the essence and backbone of UBC athletics. He served a multitude of roles not the least of which was confidant and caretaker of details. He was responsible for the Big Block Club being maintained and flourishing to this day. Highly respected, he was the one UBC people relied upon for help, experience and knowledge. In 2002 was honoured by this university with an Honourary Doctor of Laws Degree.
The UBC Athletics Department was blessed in having, for over 40 years, that essential individual who possessed the qualities necessary to guide this eclectic department in the direction of stability and continuity of operation. Douglas "Buzz" Moore was, since his arrival on campus in 1964, the "right hand" of Athletic Directors Bus Phillips, Bob Hindmarch and Bob Philip.
For the first years Buzz and Bus Phillips virtually single-handedly took care of all necessary arrangements and business details of UBC athletics. According to Phillips who directed athletics for 27 years, 16 of them with Moore, "he is extremely loyal... I couldn't have done it without Buzz."
Through his years with the Athletics Department, Moore oversaw and actively participated in the operation of an enormous number of UBC sporting and non- sporting events. When it came to organizing and setting up the facilities or to their physical renovations to accommodate their many events and uses, "Buzz is always there on top of everything" according to a colleague. "He's the glue that holds everything together...he works to make things right." At UBC, he served as a historian, fund raiser, coach, accountant, Sports Information Director, construction superintendent, alumni liaison, mentor and caretaker of those details often overlooked - all for UBC and athletics. In short, he made things happen.
Buzz has been described as a "master of all trades," a man with perception, integrity and influence and even though he was a former rugby player, a gentleman with a special softness. It is with these qualities therefore, he was seen by most as the only one around who could achieve that "impossible" feat.
Although extremely modest, Buzz was in fact one of the greatest rugby players ever to play in this country. An inductee as a rugby player in the BC Sport Hall of Fame, Buzz played for the Vancouver Meralomas for an amazing 28 years. From 1948 until 1964, he played in every international match in which BC participated. He ultimately received the honour of being the first Canadian to receive the Barbarian Jersey, the exclusive British rugby honour of the very highest order. He was also awarded both the BC Rugby Man of the Year award and the Howie McPhee Memorial trophy, awarded to local rugby's most outstanding player.
A great supporter and contributor to rugby both on campus and off, Buzz served as president of the UBC Rugby Club, the BC Rugby League, Vancouver Rugby League and the Meraloma Rugby club. He is one of very few people to receive a life membership in the BC Rugby League.
UBC's Big Block Club has been kept alive and well through the single-handed efforts of Buzz Moore. According to former Director Phillips, this club, which is a source of both funds and esprit de corps for athletics, would have long since died if it weren't for Moore's work and enthusiasm.
These accomplishments reflect the dedication, work ethic and special charm that Moore brought to UBC when hired by Phillips in 1964. His dedication was particularly special considering that from 1986 Buzz worked at UBC with only a modest honourarium, until he officially retired in 2011.
Moore was born in Regina, Saskatchewan moving to Vancouver at the age of four. While at Vancouver's Lord Byng High School, he excelled at football, skiing and rugby. At the age of 16, still at Lord Byng, he joined the renowned Meralomas rugby team, the start of his storied senior rugby career, a career interrupted only by Buzz's service with the Navy during World War II - again his determination to make things right.
In addition to his practical knowledge of sports, Moore enriched UBC athletics with a distinct business sense, a quality he honed as the operator of Kerrisdale's Moore's Bakery, in addition to other successful ventures. Equally important is the fact that Buzz was for years the only person who kept records, clippings, photos, publications, etc. concerning UBC's athletic history, material and resources that are invaluable to UBC's Athletics Historian and the legacy of UBC. Sadly, Buzz passed away in 2011 but he was truly the essence of the Athletics Department. "A gentleman through and through," the one people relied upon for help, experience and knowledge... if one wants to know just 'ask Buzz!'
This Inductee is also in the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian
