Dr. Bob Steadward’s lasting legacy recognized with Canada West Hall of Fame induction
Visionary leader enters Builder category after leaving enduring mark at the University of Alberta
Feb. 5, 2026 - Few builders in Canada West history have shaped university sport with the breadth, vision, and lasting impact of Dr. Bob Steadward, whose leadership at the University of Alberta from 1969 to 2003 helped redefine excellence both on campus and across the national and international sport landscape.
A transformative figure in Golden Bears and Pandas athletics, Steadward’s legacy as an administrator, educator, and advocate for inclusive sport has earned him induction into the Builder category of the Canada West Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025-26.
Alberta will honour Steadward during a special ceremony this Saturday evening when the Golden Bears men's hockey team hosts the UBC Thunderbirds at Clare Drake Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. MT, and fans can stream the game live on Canada West TV - Powered by BioSteel.
Steadward 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. Bob Steadward - Builder Category
University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas, 1969-2003
Dr. Bob Steadward leaves a legacy as one of the most influential builders in the history of University of Alberta athletics and a foundational figure in the development of university sport in Western Canada.
Steadward arrived at the University of Alberta in 1963 as a student-athlete, competing for the Golden Bears track and field team as a sprinter and long jumper. While studying physical education, he became deeply involved in the creation and operation of sport programs for athletes with disability, and this interest soon became a driving force in his career.
His administrative impact at the University of Alberta helped shape the modern identity of Golden Bears and Pandas athletics, strengthening the long-term foundation of the program. From 1983 to 1985, Dr. Steadward was the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education, during which time he inaugurated and chaired the Sports Wall of Fame Dinner program, an event that has earned the reputation as the most innovative in the nation. In 1983, he created and chaired the University’s Green and Gold Athletic Alumni Society. From 1985 to 1989, Bob served as the Chair of the Department of Athletics and as President of the Alberta Universities Athletic Association.
Beyond competition, Steadward’s vision expanded the role of the university as a leader in inclusive and accessible sport. He founded the Steadward Centre for Personal and Physical Achievement on the University of Alberta campus, a multi-disability sport, fitness, lifestyle, and research facility that remains a cornerstone of the university’s commitment to adapted physical activity.
While Steadward’s influence extended internationally through leadership roles in the Paralympic and Olympic movements, his contributions to Canada West and the University of Alberta remain central to his legacy. His work helped align athletic excellence with education, community engagement, and long-term institutional values.
In recognition of his service, Steadward has received numerous honours, including appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1999, the nation's highest civilian honour. He was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Edmonton Sports Hall of fame in 1996, and was added to the University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame in 2002.
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.