WATERLOO, Ont. - The Department of Athletics and Recreation is sad to announce that former Director of Athletics, Carl Totzke passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 29 at the age of 89.
Carl was a founding member of the University of Waterloo and father of Waterloo athletics. He was the Director of Athletics for Waterloo College (1954-1956) prior to being named the first athletic director at the University of Waterloo in 1957. Carl Totzke retired on Oct 1, 1989, after 33 years.
Carl's vision that he established in 1957 continues to be the foundation for our present day Warriors.
"Carl was a true pioneer of our institution and of intercollegiate sport in Canada," reflected Roly Webster, current director at Waterloo. "Carl built a foundation and philosophy that impacted so many, and that will continue to impact our future. Carl will be deeply missed, but we are committed to celebrating and carrying on his legacy that will enrich the student-athlete experience and while impacting a vibrant student experience for all of our Waterloo students."
Carl was an outstanding athlete and sport administrator. His contributions to Canadian sport are immeasurable, while he made numerous contributions to the Waterloo community.
In 1954, Carl was named Director of Athletics at Waterloo College, now Wilfrid Laurier University. In 1957, UW President Dr. J.G. Hagey offered Carl a full-time position at the newly formed University of Waterloo as Director of Athletics. Carl accepted the challenge of building the department from scratch.
In his first year he organized football, men's hockey, and men's basketball to compete in the OIAA (Ontario Intercollegiate Athletic Association). Over the course of the next 33 years, Carl built the department into one of the most broadly based programs in the country. Currently the University of Waterloo houses 32 varsity teams with over 600 student-athletes while Warrior Recreation caters to over 30,000 participants per year and is recognized across Canada as a front-runner in student leadership programming.
During his tenure as Director, Carl served two terms as President of the CIAU (Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union) and the OUAA (Ontario Universities Athletic Association).
In 1982, Carl received the J.P. Loosemore Award from the OUAA, awarded to an individual who exemplifies the best in university sport in terms of ethics, integrity and honesty. In 1989, Carl was presented with the Austin-Matthews Award by the CIAU for his outstanding contribution to the development of interuniversity sport in Canada.
The Totzke Trophy, Waterloo's male athlete of the year, is named after Carl and is awarded annually for athletic skill, sportsmanship, citizenship and academic proficiency, and for outstanding contribution to a varsity program.
In addition to his love for university sport, Carl was heavily involved in other community initiatives. He served on the Board of Directors of the Homer Watson House and Gallery, including two terms as Chairman. Carl is a member of the Waterloo County Hall of Fame and is a past Chairman of the Board. He as been inducted into the Waterloo, Laurier and Waterloo Region Hall of Fame's.
Carl's family will receive relatives and friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Sunday January 3, 2016 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, 519-749-8467. A private family service will be held. Interment Parkview cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Christ Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).
Carl Totzke's Obituary
"You can't beat fun."
~ Carl Totzke 1926-2015
