Renowned athlete, professor and builder of UBC athletics. At UBC in the 1920s was one of Canada's best sprinters, selected to 1928 Olympic team. This 1926 Rhodes Scholar introduced field hockey and cricket to UBC - "father of field hockey at UBC." Faculty member at UBC for more than half a century.
Harry Warren first appeared on the UBC sports scene as a member of the 1923/24 Varsity rugby team, quickly becoming one of the team's stars. In UBC's 1923 Miller Cup victory, Warren scored the winning try "with the future Premier of BC wrapped around his ankles". Known for his blazing speed, he was described by the Ubyssey as "the new star of this season ". Harry gives credit to UBC rugby great "Geh" Ternan for first recognizing how his speed would benefit the Varsity team.
In 1924 Warren won the UBC Track championship (individual award) setting a UBC record in the 220 at 23.6 seconds. In the fall of 1924 he broke his 220 mark with a 23.2 and set a new UBC record for the 100 at 10.6 seconds. At the Inter-class meet in October 1924, Warren reset the 100 yard dash record at 10.4 seconds.
In addition to his track and rugby exploits, Harry also possessed a keen interest in grass hockey. In 1923/24 as a second year student, he was credited with starting the men's grass hockey program at UBC. Harry admits he might have been inspired to initiate the field game as a response or reaction to the competitive presence of the ice hockey people. He captained the UBC grass hockey teams in 1924/25 and 1925/26 and, in 1924/25, was selected as a reserve on the All- Mainland team. He served as president of the grass hockey club and through his promotion and coaching, the sport developed and flourished at UBC. One of Warren's most significant contributions came in 1964 when as President of the Canadian Field Hockey Association, he was responsible for field hockey being recognized by the Canadian Olympic Association as an Olympic sport.
In 1926 Warren was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, leaving for Oxford for the 1926/27 year, after having won the BC Championship in the 100, 220 and 440, setting a new provincial record in the 100 yards with a time of 10 seconds flat. At Oxford he gained immediate recognition, winning the freshman and varsity 100-yard dashes and later starring on Oxford's rugby team.
One of Canada's outstanding trackmen, Warren, under the guidance of Bob Granger, was one of three sprinters to represent Canada at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam. Percy Williams was included in this threesome. However his most gratifying victory was in a post- Olympic meet in Dublin where Warren tied the world record for the 100 meters run on grass.
Still in his twenties, Dr. Warren returned to UBC as a professor and in 1933/34 was named coach of the second division rugby squad. For many years he remained in contact with rugby on campus, actively serving in the role of advisor.
In 1938 Dr. Warren, along with UBC cricket great Basil Robinson, organized a UBC cricket team and as a player on this team Warren was considered a "skillful batsman". It was the coaching and playing ability of the genial professor of geology that led UBC to the Fyfe-Smith Shield in 1939 and three runs short of that cricket award in 1940. In the 1940 final, Warren was UBC's batting and bowling star, as he was again in 1944, leading UBC to a Gardiner Johnson Shield victory.
More than 20 years after Dr. Warren had initiated men's grass hockey at UBC, he was still active as a player with the "Old timers" team of Vancouver's premier league, still displaying speed and goal scoring ability. Even into his 80s, Dr. Warren would be seen on the sidelines at UBC field hockey games cheering on "his boys" as they continued the rich legacy of this sport at UBC. In November 2014, Warren, a major builder of Field Hockey in Canada, was inducted into the Canadian Field Hockey Hall of Fame.
Harry Warren had a profound influence on UBC. His career included that of a scholarship student and a professor of geology and in each he experienced success and profile, as he did as an athlete and a developer and supporter of UBC sport.
This Inductee is also in the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian
