Canada West Hall of Fame inducts University of Calgary builder Dr. Roger Jackson
Visionary leader helped establish UCalgary as a national leader in athletics and sport medicine
Feb. 19, 2026 - As one of the most influential builders in the history of University of Calgary athletics, Dr. Roger Jackson's impressive legacy continues to positively impact thousands of student-athletes across the Canada West conference.
Jackson’s decades of service to the University of Calgary and Canada West have now been formally recognized with his induction into the Canada West Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025-26 in the Builder category. His selection reflects a career dedicated to strengthening university athletics, advancing sport science and medicine, building world class facilities, and helping position Calgary as a national leader in high performance sport.
The University of Calgary will honour Jackson with a special on campus event planned for tomorrow, Feb. 19, celebrating a legacy that helped elevate the Dinos to sustained success within Canada West and U SPORTS.
Jackson is one of eight inductees into the Canada West Hall of Fame's Class of 2025-26 which was unveiled earlier this month. Individual inductee spotlights will continue throughout the remainder of the season.
Fans can view all previous Hall of Fame inductees on the Canada West Hall of Fame website.
Dr. Roger Jackson - Builder Category
University of Calgary Dinos
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.
ABOUT THE CANADA WEST HALL OF FAME
For the last century, organized university sport has been a central part of the student experience at institutions across Western Canada. Beginning with the University of Manitoba capturing the first Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (WCIAU) men's hockey banner in 1919-20, student-athletes have been competing to reach their full potential in sport and the classroom, while enriching campus life.
To commemorate 100 years of university sport across Western Canada, the Canada West Hall of Fame was created in the spring of 2019. This year's induction class will be unveiled throughout the 2025-26 season.