University of British Columbia Athletics

Jean Forrest, 1983 Physical Education (Kinesiology) graduate, while at UBC was one of Canada's outstanding field hockey players on some of UBC's best teams. Ever since, she has been a tireless advocate for sport. Back in the early 1980s UBC was bestowed with National Team field hockey players under the able coaching of Gail Wilson - Jean Forrest (nee Mustard) was among those elite players. Her All-Star career was highlighted as a co-captain of the 1982-83 UBC team, one of UBC's best in any sport going undefeated and winning the national championship, a team ultimately inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. In addition to being selected to the l982-83 All-Canadian team Jean and four of her teammates were also members of Canada's National team, Jean on the National team for three years.

Since those heady days on campus Jean has worked extensively in sport and recreation management and marketing, on both a paid and volunteer basis. Utilizing the friendships, credibility and pride gained by playing on a Varsity team, she "makes things happen" in the many areas of her passion; sport. She served for six years on the Sport BC Board of Directors, worked with the YMCA and volunteered with the BC Sports Hall of Fame and UBC Sports Hall of Fame. She has also worked for ten years with the Canadian Olympic Committee and volunteered with Field Hockey BC and Field Hockey Canada. She has also served as Vice Chair of the Vancouver Park Board and with the UBC Alumni Association Board.

Jean's life-long connection with UBC and supporting the Thunderbirds was initially awakened in 1983 just after her graduation, when she accepted a job offer from UBC Athletics' Dr. Bob Hindmarch to serve as Sport Coordinator for the Vancouver Centennial Commission. Thirty-five years later she remains involved as she serves on the Alumni Panel with UBC Field Hockey, co-chairs the committee for the "Pop Cup" the annual UBC Field Hockey alumni event and for several years has been the Field Hockey representative on the Thunderbird Alumni Council. Jean has been only too glad to give back to the community and to UBC all the while, with her husband, raising a family who is also involved in sport.

Researched and written by Fred Hume