Dec 7, 2021
Vancouver, BC – There was only one way Harry Lendvoy wanted to conclude his distinguished career as an instructor at Langara College: in the classroom, teaching his students face-to-face. While the global pandemic pushed students and faculty off campuses and behind their screens for online learning, Lendvoy continued his role as a Kinesiology instructor until on-campus instruction could return.
September 2021 marked 50 years since Harry Lendvoy began his teaching journey at Langara College. Since then, his impact on the Kinesiology department, his students, and the sport medicine and sport coaching community have been immeasurable.
“I have been very fortunate to have been able to finish my teaching career in the classroom rather than online,” said Lendvoy. “Having the opportunity to meet a new group of students each semester and hopefully contributing to their academic careers has given me both immense pleasure and pride.”
Lendvoy completed his MSc and PhD at the University of British Columbia, and has taught multiple subjects, including anatomy, physiology, and sports medicine. The core courses he created for Langara’s Kinesiology program have helped shape the sport science profession. He has taught more than 12,000 students in his 50 years as an instructor. Beyond the classroom, he coached the Langara Falcons men's soccer team from 1973 - 1979.
Harry has been a pioneer for sport medicine in British Columbia and a founding board member of SportMedBC, the province’s focal point for experts, applied expertise and programs providing all levels of activity, from recreation to fitness to performance. In 2004, he was named one of only ten of their honourary members.
Harry also created the BC Sports First Aid Program and later expanded the program to include fitness leaders. He was both a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Master Course Conductor, as well as a Learning Facilitator, providing coaches across BC with education tools and resources for more than 30 years.
“When the National Coaching Certification Program was first introduced, Harry began to offer these community sport training courses through Continuing Studies. He became well known as a Master course conductor and facilitator, delivering modules at Level 1, 2, and 3 to coaches across British Columbia,” said Norm Olenick, a former colleague and Faculty Emeritus at Langara College. “His legacy of excellent teaching has fostered student learning, the national coaching program, and sports medicine, so many areas that add to his endeavors and legacies with over 50 years at Langara.”
In honour of Harry’s contributions to both Langara and the sport medicine community across Canada, the College is celebrating his achievements over the last 50 years by establishing an award in his name.
“I have never regarded teaching at Langara as a job. I am as enthused at the beginning of a term now as I was when I began,” Lendvoy concludes.
About snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College
Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 23,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as snəw̓eyəɬ leləm 'house of teachings', a name given to it by Musqueam, on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located.
Learn more.
Mark Dawson
Manager, Public Affairs
Langara College
mdawson@langara.ca
