Roger Jackson (Builder)
- Canada West
- Jan 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 18
NAME: Dr. Roger Jackson
UNIVERSITY: Calgary
CATEGORY: Builder
CW Hall of Fame Class of 2025-26
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Served as Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education (now Kinesiology) at the University of Calgary beginning in 1978, establishing the institution’s first master’s and doctoral programs and positioning the university as a national leader in sport science and education
• Founded the University of Calgary Sport Medicine Centre in 1988 and served as its inaugural director, laying the foundation for world-class athlete care, research, and performance services
• Played a central leadership role in University of Calgary athletics and Canada West, including serving as President of the Canada West University Athletic Association
BIOGRAPHY:
Dr. Roger Jackson’s impact on the University of Calgary is woven throughout the campus itself, from its academic foundations to its world class athletic and training facilities. A visionary leader and builder, Jackson played a central role in shaping the university’s approach to sport, research, and high performance athletics during a period of unprecedented growth.
Jackson was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education, now Kinesiology, in July 1978 and served two terms in the role. During his tenure, he built a significant research program and academic environment, establishing the university’s first graduate programs at both the master’s and doctoral levels. His leadership helped position the University of Calgary as a national leader in sport science and education.
In 1988, Jackson founded the Sport Medicine Centre and served as its inaugural director. He was instrumental in generating funding for the construction of the facility and its subsequent expansions, while also recruiting the staff and health professionals that established the centre as a leader in athlete care and research. In recognition of his contributions, the Roger Jackson Centre for Health and Wellness Research opened in 2005, further cementing his legacy in health and performance research at the university.
Jackson’s influence extended deeply into University of Calgary athletics and the Canada West conference. He served as President of the Canada West University Athletic Association and was a guiding force behind the expansion of the Physical Education Building, the construction of the Olympic Oval, and the coordination of these projects in preparation for the Olympic Winter Games hosted by Calgary in 1988. Many of the facilities that continue to define the campus today are the direct result of his vision, as are several foundational philosophies surrounding athletic scholarships and student athlete support.
Beyond campus, Jackson made an extraordinary impact on Canadian sport at the national and international levels. A three time Olympian in rowing who competed at the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Olympic Games, he won a gold medal in 1964 and later served as President of the Canadian Olympic Association.
Jackson’s lifetime of service has been recognized with numerous honours, including induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, membership in the Canadian Olympic Order, and appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
