To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the UBC Men's Field Hockey program is hosting a special evening event on Friday, February 28th. The event is at the Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre, beginning at 6:00 pm. It's a chance for Thunderbirds past and present to gather (along with their family and friends) and celebrate the historic moment for the program.
Legendary UBC athlete, professor and builder Dr. Harry Warren is credited with bringing about the creation of the Men's Field Hockey program in the 1920s, and is considered the "father of field hockey at UBC". Today,
Kinder Gill helms the program, in his tenth season as head coach.
"It's an incredible honor to be leading the UBC Men's Field Hockey program during such a historic milestone," said Gill. "Reaching our 100th anniversary is a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work of everyone who has been part of this journey – players, coaches, staff, and supporters alike."
"This program has a rich legacy of excellence and tradition, and it's truly humbling to be a part of it. While we're celebrating the past, we're also focused on building for the future – continuing to grow the game, develop our athletes, and honour the standard of success that's been set over the last century."
Since its founding UBC Men's Field Hockey has won 22 Challenge Cups (awarded since 1912) as Vancouver Men's Field Hockey League regular season champions, and six India Challenge Cups (awarded since 1996) as playoff champions.
The Thunderbirds program has produced numerous Canadian national team athletes. 39 T-Birds have suited up at the Olympics, including at the Tokyo 2020 Games where 13 of the 16 players on Team Canada were current or former UBC athletes.
Five Men's Field Hockey players are in the UBC Sports Hall of Fame as individual inductees, including Lee Wright who was a member of the 1965-66 Men's Field Hockey team, which itself was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021. Coached by Eric Broom, that team featured eight players who would go on to represent Canada internationally. The Thunderbirds won the Challenge Cup that year and enjoyed an incredible 33-match winning streak, dating back to the previous season.
Other Men's Field Hockey alumni who grace the UBC Sports Hall of Fame include Alan Hobkirk, David Bissett, Victor Warren (son of Harry Warren), and Reg Plummer. This weekend marks a chance for both former and current Thunderbirds to come together and connect here on campus.
"It's really special to have the entire UBC Men's Field Hockey community come together for this milestone," added Gill. "Having alumni from different eras connect with our current players creates such a powerful sense of tradition and pride. It's a chance to share stories, celebrate past achievements, and recognize how much this program has meant to so many people over the years."
"Events like this remind us that we're part of something much bigger than just the current season – it's about honoring the legacy, building relationships, and inspiring the next generation of Thunderbirds."
The 100th anniversary event runs from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and features a series of speakers including Gill, current players and alumni. Attendance is open to everyone, welcoming those who are friends, family or supporters of UBC Men's Field Hockey. There will be food, drinks and the chance to enjoy a historic milestone as a community.
"My hope is that this gathering creates meaningful moments for everyone involved – whether that's reconnecting with old teammates, sharing stories, or inspiring our current players by showing them the legacy they're part of," said Gill. "Events like this can inspire stronger bonds within the community and help ensure that UBC Men's Field Hockey continues to thrive for years to come."
To purchase tickets for the event click
100 Years of UBC Men's Field Hockey.
