University of British Columbia Athletics

The impact Doug and Lois Mitchell have had upon Canadian sport is profound . . . from 1959 when Doug was a star lineman on UBC’s Western Canadian champion football team through to his passing away in 2022 and carried forward by his wife, the Honourable Lois Mitchell.

Doug graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Law degree in 1962 which had followed a distinguished football career at UBC and briefly, the BC Lions. For the ensuing 60 years Mitchell conducted a very successful law practice in Calgary. While with his law firm – the largest in Canada – Mitchell served as Commissioner of the Canadian Football League from 1984 to 1988 and also served on the League’s Board of Governors. He had previously been a member of the NHL Board of Governors from 1980 through 1984 and was later Chairman of the Winter Goodwill Games in 2005 as part of his chairing many organizations and charities both inside and outside of sport. Lois is also a supporter of women in sport and leadership, creating the Hayley Wickenhiser Thunderbird Ice Hockey Endowment.

The impressive CFL and NHL contributions notwithstanding, the Mitchells’ scope also very much embraced amateur sports especially at the university level. They created the USports Athlete of the Year awards which honour the top Canadian university athletes, the honours now known as the Lois Mitchell and Doug Mitchell USports Athlete of the Year Awards. And Canada’s national University Semi-final football game is known as the Mitchell Bowl.

It was however, their alma mater, UBC, that was closest to their heart. Doug stated UBC football coach Frank Gnup, “ . . .  had and still has a profound influence on my career . . . and remains one of the most influential persons in my life and a major reason for my commitment to my alma mater,” Mitchell remembers his coach and how he taught him to be a team player with football teaching him “ . . . to get off my butt and fight back against temporary setbacks – turning obstacles into opportunities.”

Doug and Lois it is said are the epitome of the university athlete giving back. According to Athletics Director Kavie Toor, Doug was always the first to put up his hand when the university was putting together a committee to work on a project. “He wanted to make sure that we were getting things done.” Toor also maintains, “From a UBC perspective his impact is legendary. He was generous financially but he was also generous with his time.” Former Director Bob Philip said “Doug always delivered. Doug used his influence to help in areas that don’t always get that much publicity.” Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Smith recalls Doug’s willingness to meet, talk with and to mentor players helping them realize their dreams and become future leaders. His “ . . . stewardship of our alumni came from a truly unselfish place” states Smith. UBC football coach Pat Tracey recalls, “Doug and Lois spoke to the team, two of the most impactful people I have had the pleasure of meeting.”

In 2007, the  Mitchells established the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Scholarship Endowment to support athletes at UBC. And just prior to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Doug and Lois Mitchell’s (Doug and Lois met while students at UBC) generosity enabled a realization of the recreation facility built on campus – which also served as an Olympic venue – christened the  Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre and Arena.

The Mitchells’ energy and passion have been acknowledged in several ways both in Alberta and at UBC but also includes induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.  Lois, who from 2015 through 2020, served as Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor, was with husband Doug both appointed to the Order of Canada.

The Mitchells were passionate about university sport. “University athletics are vital in building the leadership that is so essential to our economy and society. Playing sports taught us that none of us can thrive alone – we need a team. It also taught us that it is not about falling down, it’s the getting up that counts.”
 
Fred Hume and Sarah Barclay