The Department of Athletics and Recreation is deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Paul Condon who worked in the department for 30 years from 1966 to 1996. Condon was 88 years old and passed away on September 4 in Kitchener.
Condon, who was inducted into the Warriors Hall of Fame in 1998 in the Builders Category, was a pioneer of the department who made significant contributions to the advancement in all areas including intercollegiate athletics, campus recreation, alumni relations, sports information, and business management.
Condon pioneered sports information at the University of Waterloo and expanded his many networks throughout Ontario and Canada. He was the founding member of the Association of Canadian University Sports Information Directors (ACUSID) and initiated the Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (CIAU) Top 10 Rankings, a very prevalent ranking system that remains in use by U SPORTS to this day. Condon was also the founding member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches of Canada, served on the University of Waterloo Board of Governors, and was the President of the University of Waterloo Staff Association.
Condon enjoyed a childhood filled with sports while living in Peterborough, Preston and Hamilton and attended Cathedral High School in Hamilton and the Western University in London. Following a teaching career at Kitchener Collegiate Institute and St. Jerome's High School, where he taught math and coached a variety of sports, Condon became one of the first employees for the Department of Athletics at UWaterloo in 1966.
Condon was an extraordinary athlete who was competitive in a variety of sports including basketball and baseball. While attending Western, Condon won the national championship in basketball and also had a minor-league tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers of Major League Baseball and finished the Boston Marathon in a time of 3 hours and 32 minutes.
Condon's involvement with a Canadian university athletics program provided him with such tremendous experiences such as doing colour commentary for university sports television broadcast on Channel 11 and also led him to serve as the manager of Canada's national basketball team in Russia.
"Dad will forever be remembered for his uplifting, energetic and passionate spirit," said Condon's son Tim. "He always made time for his children to help with our homework, take us to sporting events, and give us unconditional support as we pursued our dreams. We are so grateful to have had a father like ours and we know he will continue to shine his light and will guide us from above."
The family wishes to thank the staff at Lanark Heights LTC for their care of Condon over the past three years. Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held at a later date.
The family is creating the Paul Condon Waterloo Warriors Determined Athlete Award that will be presented annually to a University of Waterloo student-athlete who embodies the love of sports, grit and determination.
"Paul was a pioneer who left a lasting impact on our department, university and in sport" said director of athletics and recreation, Roly Webster. "Paul's legacy will continue as our student-athletes who embody the love of sports, grit and determination will be honoured annually when receiving the Paul Condon Determined Athlete Award"
In lieu of flowers, online donations can be made to the Paul Condon Waterloo Warriors Determined Athlete Award at the University of Waterloo Athletic Department or Parkinson Canada .
The family encourages you to leave your memories at Fond Memories of Paul.
