• Competed for Canada in the Pan American Games (1967), the Summer Olympics (1968), and the World University Games (1970).
• Coached the Pandas gymnastic team for 16 years (1971-1987), winning eight Canada West and seven CIAU national championships.
• Twice named CIAU Coach of the Year (1978 and 1986).
• Directed the women's gymnastics competition at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.
• Founder of the U of A Agers in 1986, an innovative gymnastics program for adults 55 to 80 years of age.
• A recognized expert in physical activity for the elderly.

Sandy (Hartley) O’Brien Cousins grew up in Vancouver and attended the University of British Columbia (BPE 71, MPE 76, EdD 93). She first gained prominence as a gymnast, winning provincial championships in eight consecutive years from 1964 to 1971. She advanced quickly to international competition winning team silver in the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, and representing Canada-at World Championships in 1966 and 1970. She was Canadian champion in 1968, and competed in the 1968 Olympics and the 1970 World Student Games. In 1970 she earned the distinction of being the first Canadian gymnast, male or female, to perform a full twisting layout somersault in competition.

A stellar coaching career began after joining the faculty of this university in 1971 and continued while she raised two daughters, Catherine, and Kristina. In her 16-year tenure, the Pandas gymnasts won eight Canada West, and seven National CIAU championships, a record unequalled by any other coach at this university. In 1972 she served as assistant coach of Canada's gymnasts to the Munich Olympics and the next year headed the Canadian Team to the World University Games in Moscow. From 1974 -1978, Sandy directed the women's gymnastics competition of the 1978 Commonwealth Games. Twice honored as coach-of-the-year in CIAU gymnastics (1978, 1986), further recognition came in 1989 when the Canadian Gymnastics Federation named her for the prestigious Gold Pin Award. Her interest in coaching extended to forming the U of Agers in 1986 for adults 55 to 80 years of age to engage in gymnastics for fun, fitness, and lifelong learning. A founder of the Master's Gymnastics movement in Canada, she organized the first ever Canadian competition in 1986.

Academically, her achievements are equally impressive, including receiving a three-year research grant and a two-year doctoral fellowship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. She was promoted to full professor in 1994. A recognized world expert in activity for older adults, Sandy has served as a consultant to the World Health Organization on healthy aging. She is the author of three widely used books: Catching the Female Gymnast (1983); Mire Living Outcomes for Older Adults; and Exercise, Aging and Health, both published in 1997. Her work with older adults was recognized in 1993 in being awarded the Individual Achievement Award of the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport. That same year she was inducted into the University of British Columbia Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre. Sandy has remained active in roller-blading, jogging, and cross-country skiing, as well as teaching gymnastics.

Her example of lifelong learning and of bridging the gaps between competitor, coach, administrator, innovator, researcher, author, and volunteer provides inspiration to all who have the good fortune to come in contact with her.