VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds family is mourning the loss of Dick Mosher, legendary long-time head coach for both the men's and women's varsity soccer programs, who passed away on Saturday, April 24 at the age of 77.
Mosher's enduring legacy includes a remarkable 24-year coaching career that saw him set the blue and gold standard as one of the most accomplished figures throughout the decorated history of UBC varsity athletics. His unique career, which included unparalleled success at the helm of T-Birds men's and women's soccer, also saw Mosher as one of the most iconic coaches in Canadian university varsity sports history.
Under Mosher's steady leadership UBC soccer teams won a dozen Canada West titles and amassed 14 podium finishes (nine gold, two silver, three bronze) in a combined 14 appearances at the national tournament. His six national titles with the T-Birds' men's team are a record for a head coach in Canadian university soccer, while his three banners with the women's squad are tied for most all-time.
In 10 seasons with the men's team and 16 with the women, Mosher posted a combined overall record of 244-54-50, including a national championship tournament record of 26-4-2. He was named Canada West Coach of the Year a combined seven times (four with the women's team, three with the men's), and recognized nationally as Coach of the Year twice for women's soccer and once for men's soccer.
Mosher first set foot on the Point Grey campus as a student in 1962, spending the next three years as a centre-forward with the Thunderbirds' soccer team before moving to the University of Oregon and later to Michigan State to pursue his PhD in human growth and motor development. He returned to UBC in 1975 as a professor in the School of Physical Education (now Kinesiology) and coached local Vancouver metro soccer teams for a decade before taking the post as head coach of the T-Bird men's squad in 1986.
After guiding the T-Bird men to four national titles in his first six years as head coach, ahead of the 1992 season Mosher took a deliberate step back into a mentorship role while elevating long-time assistant coach Dave Partridge who would lead the squad to a third consecutive national title. Mosher would return to his full-time coaching duties in 1993 before his final two years with the men's squad in 1994 & 1995 saw him pull double duty in also coaching the women's team. The extra work load looked good on him as he led both teams to Canada West championships in 94 while repeating that feat with the women in 95.
Starting in 1996, Mosher shifted exclusively to the UBC's women program where he went on to capture three more national titles and four Canada West championships over 16 seasons. After retiring from coaching in 2009, Mosher was named a co-recipient of the prestigious Jean-Marie de Koninck Coaching Excellence Award, recognizing outstanding contribution to interuniversity sport as demonstrated by long-term commitment and leadership as a coach of Canadian interuniversity sport.
In addition to maintaining teaching responsibilities and advising graduate students in the UBC School of Kinesiology throughout his coaching career, Mosher also served as the athletic department's academic coordinator, providing expert advice and service to all UBC athletes and coaches regarding admissions and academic eligibility. He also served one year (1991-1992) as Interim Director of Athletics.
Mosher was inducted to the UBC Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in 2017 and further recognized as part of the inaugural Canada West Hall of Fame induction class in 2019.
In addition to being a tremendous father and family man, Dick Mosher will be remembered as an excellent Thunderbirds student-athlete, coach and mentor who changed the landscape and record books for UBC's soccer programs while also setting a new caliber of competition across Canada.
Mosher is universally loved by T-Birds soccer alumni as a consummate players' coach who was always supportive while leading with a quiet confidence and a level head. Mosher was a proven winner whose impact extended far beyond the multitude of banners he won, his influence appreciated by countless young men and women whose skillsets he helped develop for success both on and off the pitch.
A true gentleman with a soft touch and a measured approach, when Dick Mosher spoke, people listened. Mosher impacted everyone he came in contact with, including countless graduate students, student-athletes, coaches and colleagues as well as many others across the UBC campus. All who benefitted from his calm and unfaltering leadership while also being charmed by his quiet clever humour that could be seen through the knowing twinkle in his eyes.
Mosher is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jean, and children Mike, Scott and Barb and their spouses, and his seven grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family is encouraging donations to the recently established Dick Mosher Memorial Fund supporting students following in his footsteps at UBC. For more information, please visit the below link:
https://give.ubc.ca/memorial/dick-mosher/
