• Coached basketball, cross-country, and track & field teams at the University of Alberta.
• Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation from 1975 to 1981.
• Founded a number of clubs and associations, aiding in the development of basketball and track & field in Alberta.
• Involved with various international and national sports festivals.
• Received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for outstanding service to CAHPERD and to Canada.

Originally from Edmonton, Herb McLachlin served Canada as a pilot in the RCAF and immediately following his discharge at the end of World War II entered McGill University. On completion of his degree, Herb was immediately invited by Dr. Maury Van Vliet to join his growing staff in the Department of Physical Education at the University of Alberta. From that point on, Herb was a major partner in the creation of a strong, modern curriculum in physical education, excellent intramural programs, and the forerunner of what has emerged, arguably, as the finest athletics program in the nation.

Herb Mclachlin is a remarkable man. He has made many contributions to sport programs at the University of Alberta, in the province and in Canada and he has done so in a quiet and effective manner. He has gone about the business of building program excellence decade after decade. As a professor, Associate Dean (1964-1975), and Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation (1975-1981) he has touched the lives of thousands of student-athletes. Dr. McLachlin and his colleagues always stressed the importance of academic excellence over athletic prowess and the foundation of this philosophy remains a cornerstone of all athletic programs at the University of Alberta today. Herb cemented these beliefs as a coach of the Pandas Basketball team (1948-1949), the Bearcats Men’s Basketball team (1951-1952), the Golden Bears Cross Country Teams (1950-1959), and the Pandas and Golden Bears Track & Field teams (1950-1952). Herb also coordinated the Pandas and Bears Golf teams (1950-1961) and the Badminton teams (1963-1974). He directed the men’s intramural sports programs for 11 years (1948-1959). Dr. McLachlin also was Chairman of the University’s committee that, among other contributions, first proposed establishing Reading Week. Truly remarkable contributions.

But the McLachlin mark was seen in many other areas of sport. For 45 years, he has served as a statistician for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (including two Grey Cup Games – 1964 and 1984). His pivotal contribution to the development of high school, college, university and senior amateur basketball included the founding of the Edmonton and Alberta Officials Associations and presidency of its national affiliate. Herb was a top-rated basketball official and he used his talents to help build outstanding programs at every level of competition. The sport of basketball throughout Alberta benefited from his love of the sport.

Provincially and nationally, Dr. McLachlin was a motivating force in the evolution of track & field athletics. He was a founder of the Edmonton Olympic Track & Field club, an executive member of the Alberta Amateur Athletic Union, a four year chair of its Track & Field Committee and twice a member of the Canadian Olympic Track & Field Team Selection Committee (1956 and 1960).

International and national sports festivals also gained from Dr. McLachlin’s commitment to sport. He served as the University Liaison Member of the Board of Governors for the 1978 Commonwealth Games; as a Member of the Board of Governors for the World Student Games (1983) and chaired the Canadian Games for the Physically Disabled (1977). Herb was also a member, for several years, of the Universiade Scholarship Committee.

Herb has made a significant contribution to many organizations such as the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. His work as president of this organization was recognized last year when he received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Outstanding Service to CAHPERD and to Canada. In 1985, CAHPERD awarded Dr. McLachlin their highest recognition, the R. Tait McKenzie Honour Award.

Herb McLachlin, a teacher by vocation and avocation, a dedicated coach and sport administrator, and a man who has always given unstintingly of his time, his skills and his abilities to build a legacy of sport for our University, our city and our province.