Enos was a pioneer in sports administration and academia

BY MICHAEL PIASETZKI

During his life, Ed Enos met Canadian prime ministers, National Hockey League superstars, Russian dignitaries, Olympic champions, famous actors, Pope John Paul II and many common folk as well.

Reasons varied. Some sought his advice on personal sports injuries or to simply pick his brain. Others though, congratulated him for his accomplishments as a pioneer and educator in the field of exercise science at Concordia University, a tremendous supporter of women’s sports and for his relentless pursuit in persuading Canadians that there were better and healthier ways to run their lives.

Enos, a Baie d’Urfé resident, died March 6 of heart failure after abdominal surgery. He was 72. He leaves behind a stellar university career at the administrative level and in academia that will probably go un-matched. As director of physical education and athletics at Loyola College in 1965 and then as Concordia University’s first athletic director from 1972-1987, he not only launched progressive and wide-ranging programs such as intramurals and hiring a full-time women’s hockey coach, but Loyola and Concordia varsity teams won eight league and six national championships. As a founding chairman and associate professor of Concordia’s department of exercise science, a former assistant dean in the faculty of arts and science and a member of Concordia’s first senate, he not only paved the way for those who have gone on to work in the field of athletic therapy, but also helped it gain international prominence.

“It’s kind of ironic he passed away during the week of the Quebec University Women’s Hockey League final,” said Dorval resident Les Lawton, current head coach of the women’s hockey Stingers who was the last full-time coach at Concordia to be hired by Enos. “The trophy that went to the winning team, the McGill Martlets, is named the Ed Enos Trophy, in recognition for all the good work he did to promote women’s hockey. He loved handing out that trophy to the winning team when he was able to, especially Stingers teams.”

Perhaps nobody knew Enos better during their time spent together at Concordia than Pointe Claire resident Theresa Humes. A true innovator in her own right, Humes, who served as women’s athletic director at Concordia from 1978-1986, played a key role in developing women’s hockey not only at the university but in Canada as well - through the help and support of Enos.

“He was always very kind to me and sincerely open to discuss and put into action changes required at the time in women’s sports,” said Humes.

Enos, a member of the Concordia Hall of Fame, was a tremendous athlete as well. As an offensive guard for the University of Connecticut, where he played both ways for four years, he was named to several all-star teams and was named to the school’s centennial all-star football team in 1998. After graduation, he went on to sign a professional contract with the National Football League New York Giants and later played in the Canadian Football League with the British Columbia Lions in 1957 and 1958. He also coached at the collegiate level in the United States and served as an assistant coach with the Montreal Alouettes in 1963-’64.

Funeral services for Enos were held last Saturday in Beaconsfield.Enos is survived by his wife, Janice (McCluskey), their three children, Ed III, Michael and Laurie as well as by grandchildren.