The Department of Athletics and Recreation is extremely excited to unveil the brand new Physical Activities Complex (PAC) gym floor that was completely removed and replaced. The PAC floor, installed over 50 years ago, has undergone multiple facelifts but after decades of use was due for a complete overhaul. The new floor (Robbins' MVP floor by Robbins Sports Surfaces) is now a high-performance flooring system and surface that will enhance the student-athlete experience.
The main court has been renamed after the late and founding member of the University of Waterloo, Carl Totzke (1926-2015). Totzke was the Athletics Director at Waterloo College (1954-1956) prior to assuming the same role at the University of Waterloo in 1957. Totzke retired on Oct 1, 1989, after 33 years. Totzke's vision that he established in 1957, which emphasized fun and hard work, continues to be the foundation for our present-day Warriors.
Totzke's granddaughter, Carly Cousineau, put it in to words perfectly when describing the impact her grandfather has left on the Warriors community. "If I learned anything from my Papa, it's that at the end of the day, it's not about what you have or what you've accomplished. It's about inspiring and lifting others while positively impacting lives. It's about what you've given back. That is success. That is creating a legacy."
Totzke was an outstanding leader and sport administrator. His contributions to Canadian sport are immeasurable, while he made numerous contributions to the Waterloo community. Totzke accepted the challenge of building the department from scratch and did so in an unforgettable manner.
"Carl was a true pioneer of our institution and of intercollegiate sport in Canada," commented director of athletics and recreation, Roly Webster. "Carl built a foundation and philosophy that impacted so many and we are incredibly proud that we can honour his legacy in the naming of the spectacular new PAC gym floor."
In his first year he organized football, men's hockey, and men's basketball to compete in the OIAA (Ontario Intercollegiate Athletic Association), now OUA (Ontario University Athletics). Over the course of the next 33 years, Totzke built the department into one of the most broadly-based programs in the country. Currently the University of Waterloo houses 31 varsity teams with over 600 student-athletes while catering to over 30,000 participants per year in recreation programming and is recognized across Canada as a front-runner in student leadership opportunities.
In 1982, Totzke received the J.P. Loosemore Award from the OUAA (Ontario University Athletics Association) now OUA, awarded to an individual who exemplifies the best in university sport in terms of ethics, integrity, and honesty. In 1989, Totzke was presented with the Austin-Matthews Award by the CIAU (Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union), now U SPORTS, 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, academic proficiency, and outstanding contribution to a varsity program.
"My Dad believed that Athletics and Recreation were important parts of a well-rounded education," mentioned Carl's son Paul Totzke. "He would be honoured to be a part of anything that improved the school experience for students here at the University of Waterloo."
Carl's daughter Sue Cousineau shared the same sentiments of honouring Carl's legacy. "Our entire family is so honoured that the university is recognizing him by naming the main PAC court after him. This is a place he spent many hours cheering on the Warriors, and he would be elated that his name will forever be a part of the Warriors rich history."
In addition to the naming of the Carl Totzke Court, the location of the buzzer beating shot to the win the 1974-75 National Championship is forever etched into the floor. Phil Goggins (BA '74) hit the shot in the final seconds to lift the Warriors past Manitoba, 80-79 in front of over 5,000 fans at the PAC, a moment that those who experienced it will never forget.
"Looking back on the footage and seeing that shot go in still gives me goosebumps," said Webster. "I can't imagine what the feeling was for that team and the fans in attendance, the building must have been shaking. It is very special that we can memorialize this significant event of our history."
The PAC has recently reopened, and the new floor is being enjoyed by varsity teams and open recreation participants.
"Although it is unfortunate that we cannot yet have varsity competition on the floor, I am thrilled to see students enjoying the shiny new surface. When we finally can resume game action on the floor, it is going to be premiere venue for student-athletes and fans."
About the new gym floor - Robbins Sports Surfaces MVP Floor
The Robbins' MVP floor focuses on optimizing biomechanical interaction between athlete and floor by minimizing vibration and maximizing uniformity, while maintaining proper energy return. The flooring system installed in PAC was done by Gym-Con and is a high-performance floor used in many professional sporting facilities throughout North America.
