Fanshawe Athletics is bidding farewell to a 41-year veteran — not from the court, field or from behind the bench, but from the office. Long-standing Athletics manager Mike Lindsay officially retired in late August, and he will leave a legacy of hard work and dedication to the Falcon name that will be remembered in the Fanshawe Athletics Department for years and years to come.

Lindsay, a St. Thomas native who attended Fanshawe as a student from 1969 to 1971, is a Recreation and Leisure Services program graduate. He has participated as a student athlete and has coached, managed and directed many sports teams throughout his career. “Fanshawe hired me right after I graduated because there wasn't a campus recreation program. They had an intercollegiate program going but not a campus rec, and they created this new position. I competed for it, and I won it.” And Lindsay is used to being a winner. As a student athlete, he played soccer and basketball for the Falcons, and he has won championships in both. Initially, however, working with the school that cultivated him as a student was only supposed to be a temporary thing. “I was only going to stay for five years. My goal was municipal recreation; I wanted to get into that industry and assert myself with my skills there, but it never did happen.”

And although the program will carry on without him, his shoes will be tough to fill, and his colleagues have been humbled by what he's contributed in his illustrious tenure. Athletic office support Jackie Corby, who has worked in the office for nine years and at times side by side with Lindsay, said that it's hard to find someone more passionate and proactive about the athletic program at Fanshawe. “Mike is a perfectionist,” she said. “He always sees room for improvement. He always is the first to offer suggestions on ways to improve and or change. He's been here for so long; he has a ton of history, so he knows where things have been, (and) how far they've come.”

Lindsay's experienced counterpart, Ernie Durocher, is the athletic officer in the department, and he has worked with him since 1978. Durocher mentioned that Lindsay is a huge reason why Fanshawe sports are as strong as they are today. “It was like a rollercoaster when Mike was in the campus recreation position,” he said. Because of budget restrictions and tough financial times, many programs were cut and the department only fielded a handful of teams. When Lindsay took over, the department saw an increase in sporting teams through their program. “It's certainly gone into the positive. Our programs are always very competitive, and, back in the day before Mike, some of the teams weren't very competitive. So I think we've made advances ... but on a whole, it's a better program now.”

Lindsay has contributed immensely to the current structure of Falcon Athletics, and he attributes his love for the job to his passion for advocating for students. “I was a student athlete, too. And so I just had a strong affinity to advocating for students, not only at Fanshawe but when I got into leadership roles for students across the (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association).” In his time with the department, he has not only resurrected old programs, but has also increased participation. After six years of battling with the OCAA, Lindsay was able to increase the playing eligibility for student athletes from four to five years. He noticed that some student athletes were involved in studies that lasted five years, and some were transfers from other schools who had already competed in varsity sports for several years, and they weren't able to compete on the many Falcon teams. With the help of other colleges' athletic directors, Lindsay made it possible for these students to compete, regardless of their situation.

But the one thing that has eluded his grasp has been something that he's tried to instill for many years, and that's granting athletic scholarships for college students. Currently, only universities grant student athletes scholarships, and this lack at the college level has been a detriment to the program, which loses out on potential talent. Corby said she admires Lindsay's diligent fight with the OCAA in getting this problem fixed. “Every year, all of the colleges get together, all of the athletic directors get together, to talk about the changes and what's coming up. Mike will always fight, every year, for scholarship money for the student athletes. And every year he gets shut down, but goes back again and again and again and again, because he knows that's what the students need. It's how we can build our programs, so he's persistent.”

Someone with a pedigree like Lindsay's is sure to leave an important legacy, and he hopes he will be remembered for a variety of things. “For starting the intramural program and campus recreation ... and taking the intercollegiate program to a higher level,” he said. “And advocating for the students and supporting them in their aspirations. Educating students and people about effective use of their leisure time and a more active lifestyle and approach to wellness has always been what I've tried to teach and educate students on.”

Without showing off, it's pretty reasonable to say that Fanshawe is one of the best in Ontario when it comes to sports. The men's and women's basketball, volleyball and soccer teams have seen considerable success over the years, and individuals have been recognized in the provincial spotlight for their athletic achievement as well. Okay, that may have sounded a little too boastful, but Lindsay agreed that there's something special about competing as a Falcon. “There's one thing about Fanshawe students that I've always said. There's so much talent out there, there's so much commitment, and the willingness to learn and the willingness to achieve and be the best they can ... And just giving them those opportunities is what we have to do.”

Fanshawe has taken great strides in its Athletics program, and Lindsay said he believes that its best days are still yet ahead. “I only see greatness down the road. I've given them a good 41 years and laid down the groundwork. But I feel it's a new era out there, and I'm just anxious to see the success, and Fanshawe taking the leadership and being the flagship example for the rest of the colleges in Ontario and across the country.”

Lindsay plans to enjoy his retirement with his wife Dana, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He said he hopes to commit his future to his well being, family and community. We wish Mike the best of luck and lots of fun in his future endeavours. Thank you for 41 years of service to Fanshawe College, you will be missed!