John Robb’s career in intramurals started to take shape during his undergraduate days at U of T.
“The intramural program opened up a vista of sport opportunities,” says Robb. “At different times I played basketball, volleyball, football, hockey, lacrosse, soccer and touch football.”
He served on various councils and boards, refereed intramural sports and wrote about sports events for The Varsity and Sportsweek, winning several intramural championships and campus awards along the way.
After graduating with a degree in physical and health education, and education, he started working in the athletic department at Erindale College, before taking a job in the intramural program on St. George campus. He completed a Diploma of Business Administration from the Rotman School of Management and found time to be an assistant coach with the Varsity Blues men’s basketball team.
“I was fortunate to be there for the most successful period ever for the team. We won Ontario once and qualified for the national championship tournament five times.”
During that time Robb completed a Master of Education degree specializing in sports administration at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.
In 1998 the new Faculty of Physical Education and Health was formed (now KPE) and Robb became the program manager of the arena, stadium and fields. In 2010, he became manager of intramurals.
“It was a pleasure to work with John and watch the intramural program grow under his leadership,” says Jen Leake, acting director of physical activity and equity at the Faculty. “His strong commitment to recreational sports has helped so many students find their community at U of T and build lifelong memories together.”
Robb admits he’ll miss students the most and recalls the moments when the value of his work hit home.
“I was talking to a U of T grad who had played intramural rugby. He told me plainly that he wouldn’t have made it to graduation without that outlet,” says Robb. Another graduate dedicated a book he had written about the physics of hockey to his intramural hockey team.
But, students aren’t the only ones Robb leaves indebted.
“There is a reason why The Godfather theme song is my ringtone for John,” says Rose Lin, who worked with Robb for eight years. “It’s been such an honour to work with someone with so much knowledge of the intramural program. He helped me discover a career I never thought was possible.”
Robb’s plans for retirement include playing a lot of golf and doing a bit of travelling. Following the habits of a lifetime, regular workouts will also be part of his schedule, as well as volunteering.
Is there anything he won’t miss?
“The meetings,” says Robb.