Athletic Lives of Distinction - A - L
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Cassels, John '66 - Skiing
At first glance, John Cassels might not seem like a Ridley athletic success story. He played First Football, but doesn’t remember anything remarkable about his team’s performance. When asked about the athletic awards he racked up while a student, he responded, “None.”
But after graduating in 1966, it was all downhill, so to speak. John went on to win two championships with the Varsity Alpine Ski Team at Bishop’s University. While there, he also played four years of varsity football, won two league championships and played twice in the semi-finals for the Vanier Cup. John is the embodiment of what we now call 'long-term athlete development': throughout his life, he has challenged himself with new and exciting athletic endeavours, from national and international competitions in squash and windsurfing to recreational hockey tournaments and participation in more than 50 rodeo competitions.
And John has generously shared his passion for sport over the years, chairing the Alpine World Cup at Lake Louise for over two decades, and volunteering at both the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary and the 2010 Games in Vancouver.
But after graduating in 1966, it was all downhill, so to speak. John went on to win two championships with the Varsity Alpine Ski Team at Bishop’s University. While there, he also played four years of varsity football, won two league championships and played twice in the semi-finals for the Vanier Cup. John is the embodiment of what we now call 'long-term athlete development': throughout his life, he has challenged himself with new and exciting athletic endeavours, from national and international competitions in squash and windsurfing to recreational hockey tournaments and participation in more than 50 rodeo competitions.
And John has generously shared his passion for sport over the years, chairing the Alpine World Cup at Lake Louise for over two decades, and volunteering at both the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary and the 2010 Games in Vancouver.
“One word says it all: teamwork.”
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With more than 700 students from 60 countries, the largest boarding programme in Ontario and the third largest in Canada, Ridley College is a truly international, co-educational, day and boarding school of the world that prepares students for the world. It has provided enriching learning and life-shaping experiences focused on the arts, academics, and athletics since 1889. Ridley’s Lower School offers JK-Grade 8, its Upper School consists of Grade 9-PG, and Ridley graduates attend some of the top universities and colleges around the world. Ridley is the only co-ed independent boarding school in Canada and one of only three in North America authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum programme.
