VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds family is mourning the loss of David Partridge, a beloved, foundational pillar of the storied UBC men's varsity soccer program, who passed away Monday, June 16 at the age of 64.

Partridge dedicated his lifetime to teaching and coaching, his robust knowledge and love of soccer was plain for all to see, as was his unwavering commitment to the UBC men's soccer program spanning nearly 40 years. Dave's lengthy relationship with the T-Birds dates back to the fall of 1986, when he arrived on the Point Grey campus as a graduate student from his hometown of Leeds, England. Partridge was entering a Master's program, studying Kinesiology as a bright young mind on the ground floor of sports analysis, a skill that would help him become an impactful presence as an assistant coach and player alongside legendary UBC men's soccer head coach Dick Mosher.
 

Partridge helped a talented 1986 team win a third consecutive national championship title and he'd enjoy the dual role of player and assistant for one more season before hanging up his cleats to focus on assistant coaching leading into the 1988 campaign. Partridge gained more and more trust as Mosher's right-hand man, specializing in innovative technical and tactical aspects of the game to compliment the Hall of Fame coach's measured approach of teacher and emotional leader. After a short stint away from the program in 1989 to further his studies in Boston, MA. Partridge rejoined the 'Birds in 1990 and together with Mosher, helped lead another gifted nucleus of T-Birds on what was an incredible run of three straight national titles, which included claiming banners in 1989 through 1991. Ahead of the 1992 season Dick Mosher took a yearlong sabbatical away from coaching and teaching duties at the university, paving the way for Partridge to assume the lead role where he guided the squad to an unprecedented fourth consecutive national title.
 

"There is obviously a special bond between Dave and the Mosher family," said current UBC men's soccer head coach, Mike Mosher. "Dave often referred to the Mosher family as his adopted Canadian family. He was my father's assistant for several years of course, but also a close bond formed between my parents and our family with Dave and also with Dave's family back in England. Dave's parents and family were integral in helping to organize several UBC soccer tours to the UK back then and a special bond formed between our families. It was special this past Christmas dinner to host Dave and one of his recently married daughters and have the national championship trophy from this past season there for him. He once again played a role in our program's success in 2024 and he was really touched and thrilled to hold that trophy once again."
 

Partridge took a deliberate step back from the program through the mid-90's to both focus on starting a family and his budding career working in the high school education system in Richmond, BC. No matter how busy Partridge was, he remained engaged with the program, attending games when he could, keeping tabs on results and offering the odd opinion while in regular touch with Mike Mosher. Partridge could never be far away from the game he loved, through the late 2000's he enjoyed a role with Major League Soccer as a Match Commissioner for Vancouver Whitecaps FC home games. Dave was trusted as another set of eyes for MLS in trying to ensure a smooth match day experience, tasked with observing referees' decisions along with the conduct of coaches and players. You'd often see Dave pitch side at BC Place, taking notes and engaging in conversations with officials, coaches and broadcasters about the game; clearly in his natural element, where he felt most comfortable.
 
Dave's T-Birds journey came full circle in 2015 when he returned to help Mike Mosher with the program in varying capacities, that kept him with the team through the 2024 national championship winning season. This past season Partridge was tasked largely with watching games on video and helping to provide the staff with scouting reports on opponents.


 
In his most recent 10-year stint with the T-Birds, Partridge, who's always been affectionately referred to as 'Shank' given his penchant for delivering the odd wayward pass, really enjoyed working with and sharing ideas with a younger generation of player. His obvious knowledge of the game mixed with a dry wit and blunt assessments helped create effective connections and impart impactful lessons with today's student-athletes.
 
"I think one of the biggest things about Dave that the athletes quickly realized was how much he cared," added Mosher. "Sometimes he might come in like a house on fire, but I think athletes quickly realized he really, really cared about them as people, as a player and the program as a whole. He was invested in their improvement and betterment, on and off the pitch. This is something that I really took away from him being around our program over the past several years. Dave was a very knowledgeable soccer mind and he adapted through the years as the game changed and evolved. He would often come up with different perspectives and play the devil's advocate and ask questions that made you think about things further. He was committed to the game, committed to the virtues, values and benefits of university soccer and he was fiercely committed and proud of the UBC soccer program, our student athletes, our staff and alumni. I along with all of my former teammates will miss him as a friend and as someone who helped me and our program significantly over the years."
 

Dave had a tremendous impact on the UBC men's soccer program and everyone that was fortunate enough to know him. Over the past 40 years, spanning two dedicated stints, he's been directly involved with five of 11 national championship title victories since 1986. The decorated program has won a U SPORTS record total of 14 national titles.
 

Dave's innovation, presence and support of the program will be missed dearly. His resolve and resilience in meeting the battles he's endured head on, will forever be inspiring.
 
Partridge is survived by his daughters Emma and Hannah and his mother, Sylvia.