University of British Columbia Athletics

A true Builder at UBC, it was through Nestor's creativity, passion and ability to motivate that resulted in UBC's intramural program achieving the standard of excellence to which other universities seek to aspire. During his close to 40 years on campus he influenced and shaped the future of thousands of students through his coaching, teaching and mentoring, literally launching careers. One who had time for everyone, he strove for intramurals to be accessible to all, for spirit and enthusiasm to prevail – he is, as reported, a legend at UBC.

Dr. Nestor Korchinsky has met, mentored and influenced perhaps more UBC students than has anyone in UBC history. He was, for 33 years until 2003, the Director of Intramural Sports at UBC. It was under his stewardship and creativity and that of his staff (mainly students), that this intramural program grew to become the standard to which other universities seek to aspire. For those same years Nestor exercised his humor and magnetic personality as an assistant professor in UBC's school of Human Kinetics while early in his career he served as assistant coach of Thunderbird football and head coach of UBC J.V. basketball.

In addition, from 1978 through 2003 he served as UBC's congregation marshal overseeing 300 graduation ceremonies at which he met and undoubtedly left an impression upon an estimated 90,000 UBC graduates. Nestor Korchinsky is one of the best known campus personalities ever at UBC.

Korchinsky was a star athlete at the University of Alberta where he graduated with an MPE and was outstanding in basketball, football and swimming. In fact he was a top draft pick of the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. When recruited by Bob Osborne in 1967 to coach and teach at UBC, it was for Nestor a dream come true. Shortly after, in the early 1970s, the visionary Korchinsky took over the UBC intramural program utilizing his passion for sport and his creative energy to enhance UBC's learning environment. Nestor thought that "academics give a university its character, extracurricular activities give a university its personality, and the combination of character and personality give the university its soul." He desired enthusiasm and spirit at UBC.

The intramural program began to take on a new shape in the early '80s and with the help of key staff members mentored and cultivated by Nestor, the department developed into "one of the crown jewels in Canadian post-secondary education" in the words of former UBC sports information officer Don Wells. The special events created by Nestor developed a more comprehensive and innovative direction. They offered and continue to offer opportunities not only for UBC students, the Longboat and Triathlon competitions being examples, but the community at large, "Storm the Wall" embracing this concept. Events involve students with disabilities, women's programs and a historical component – the resurrection of the Arts '20 Relay and naming his sports leagues after historic names in UBC history being examples. Basically, it is intramurals accessible to all.

"He launched careers" says former student and key staff member Joan Webster (nee Pilcher). The student volunteers ran the programs and received the recognition along with a vibrant social life as encouraged by Nestor. Of his hundreds of protégés many went on to become successful in the community and in life.

Communication was an important component of intramurals as Nestor created and/or facilitated UBC TV as well as "The Point", the campus intramural/wellness newspaper. Corporations soon took notice of the increased intramural sophistication and participation and signed on as sponsors. Labatt’s teamed up with the AMS and the university and under the leadership of Nestor, the campus Student Recreation Centre was built.

Nestor himself was ubiquitous on campus, larger than life, known to virtually everyone from all four corners. In 1982 he was honoured with the "Great Trekker" Award, the President's Service Award for Excellence in 1996 and the Blythe Eagles Volunteer Service Award in 1993. These three awards symbolize recognition from the students, the university and the alumni which, for Nestor, is both very special and gratifying. And in retirement Nestor continues to be a driving force in the quest to engage UBC alumni – a never-ending source of energy.

One with compassion, creativity and so alive, Nestor has time for everyone – a stopping by for a chat invariably leads to a brainstorming session. And encouraging! He can make you feel like a million bucks. If you're down, he will make you feel like a star. Someone once asked a UBC student if he had ever heard of a Nestor Korchinsky at UBC. The student replied, "Nestor Korchinsky is a (expletive) legend at UBC!"

In the words of Wells, Nestor "defined intramural sports at UBC and across Canada and it's clearly one of the dominant features of UBC life and it's a legacy that is bound to endure long after he is gone."

Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian