Late in January, friends, family, teammates and mentees of Guido Geisler gathered to honour his memory and celebrate the establishment of an endowment in his name, the Dr. Guido Geisler Legacy Award.
Geisler was the head coach of the Varsity Blues women’s soccer team from 2002 to 2003 and served as assistant coach to the men’s team from 2007 to 2018, but his love of the beautiful game started in childhood, a passion he shared with his German born father.
While still in high school, he excelled in sports, continuing on that trajectory after he enrolled in the Bachelor of Physical Health and Education (BPHE) program at the University of Toronto in 1985. As a student athlete, he was a five-time OUA All Star and was considered to be among the finest defenders to ever play for the Blues soccer team. In 1988, he and his teammates became the CIS national champions and following graduation, he realized his dream of playing professionally in Germany for Rapide Wedding in Berlin.
Alternately described as warm hearted and compassionate, humble and affectionate, charismatic and caring, Geisler also had a great sense of adventure. After returning to U of T to complete his PhD in 2009, he embarked on an academic career at the University of Tsukubai in Japan, where he was associate professor lecturing on the psychology of (elite) coaching at the International Academy for Sport Studies.
“Guido enriched all of our lives in countless ways that made us all better people,” said Anthony Capotosto, a friend and former head coach of U of T’s men’s soccer. “He gave us a clear reference as to what it means to be a good human being. He was a great friend and colleague who gave so much to our men’s soccer program over the years.”
Geisler’s sister Claudia shared a video message with those present at the event.
“My brother’s mantra was ‘good enough isn’t good enough’,” she said. “This came from a dedication to be the best he can be in academics and sports, a passion he shared with our father Manfred. This scholarship would have been a profound source of pride for them both. For our late mother Barbara, this award would reflect the strong work ethic she instilled in us. And, as for me, I've always admired Guido for his perseverance and integrity, and the establishment of this scholarship fills me with immense pride.”
Claudia thanked the U of T soccer community, including John Srbely and John Bush, for their friendship and support for the scholarship, and praised the KPE advancement team for their hands on assistance and effort to realize it.
“Guido would have been utterly grateful and most humbled by your dedication to him,” she said. “His legacy was his devotion to excellence and now future exemplary students that will go forward in the same spirit.”
Naseeb Bains, a third-year commerce student and defender on the Varsity Blues men’s soccer team, was selected to be the inaugural recipient of the newly established scholarship. Accepting the award, Bains said he was very grateful to his team, the university, his family, coach Ilya Orlov and the rest of the men’s coaching staff, who provide an environment that allows him and his teammates to thrive.
“I came to U of T from Vancouver in 2021, thinking Toronto would be an easy adjustment, but it took me nearly a year to adjust,” said Bains. “Now thanks to my team, I am happy and focused on winning. I feel very lucky to call you my brothers and my second family. I am very honoured to receive this award in the name of such an amazing individual as Guido, who meant so much to so many.”