The UBC Smith & Laycoe Varsity Weight room is named after former Thunderbirds head football coach Frank Smith and his longtime assistant coach Bob Laycoe.
Located in the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, this 4,000 sq/ft. facility features:
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4 Â Indoor Sprint Lanes
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15 Hammer Strength Weightlifting Stations
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15 Spin Bikes
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Dumbbells From  5-150lbs
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2 Hammer Strength Jammers
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Hammer Strength Glute/Ham, Iso Leg Press & Hip Machines
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Integrated Audio/Video System
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Plyo Boxes
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Medicine Balls
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Battle ropes
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PHOTO GALLERY of the UBC Smith & Laycoe Varsity Weight Room
Frank Smith
A great deal has been written and said about Frank Smith 's success in developing the UBC Thunderbirds football program into one of the most respected in the nation, but the most common observation among his peers was that he was an intelligent and gifted football strategist, and that few could match his work ethic as both a coach and recruiter.
As a result his teams were renowned among their opponents for being extraordinarily well prepared for each and every competitive outing.
Over the course of 21 seasons, Coach Smith's teams posted an overall record of 126-94-4; won five conference championships; made four Vanier Cup appearances, and won the Vanier Cup in 1982 and 1986. He was named CIS Coach of the Year in 1978 and 1987, and a total of 47 of his players went on to play professionally in the CFL. Smith was inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Smith also ensured that his players took their academic pursuits every bit as seriously as those on the field, and in so doing contributed significantly to the overall development of a great many outstanding UBC graduates.Â
Bob Laycoe
There can be no question that the strength and consistency of the UBC's defensive unit contributed immeasurably to the longest and most profound era of success in the program's history. At the heart of UBC's notoriously stingy defence during this period was Bob Laycoe. Former players frequently describe him as being highly detailed in his preparations, and as an even-keeled coach who conveyed a strong sense of discipline, effectively modelling the high standards he set for himself and for his players.
Consistent with his disciplined approach and attention to detail, Coach Laycoe was an ardent proponent of strength and conditioning, and oversaw the details of the team's rigorous training program, and thereby made an even greater contribution to the team's overall success.
Having honed his coaching and leadership skills on the Point Grey campus, he was appointed head coach of the University of Toronto in 1988, where he was named OUA Coach of the Year in 1992 and led the Varsity Blues to the Vanier Cup Championship in 1993.
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