2012 Prime of Life Achievement Award

Coach Emeritus Lyle Sanderson (appointment—1966 College of Kinesiology; retirement—2004) has coached track and field athletics at the University of Saskatchewan for the past forty five years and is one of the most successful university coaches in Canada. During his career, Lyle was named to the Canadian coaching staff of 54 Athletics Canada national teams, including three Olympic Games and two World Championships. He led the U of S track and field teams to 11 national and 37 conference titles. Famous athletes coached by Lyle include Olympians Diane Jones Konihowski and Joanne McTaggart.

Honours received by Lyle prior to his retirement include the Athletics Canada Award of Excellence in Coaching Leadership, induction into the Saskatoon and Saskatchewan Sports Halls of Fame, and the Rotary Golden Wheel Award.

Lyle retired from the University in 2004 but continued his contribution to the world of athletic coaching. Recognitions for his contributions after retirement include: the CIS Austin Mathews Award (2006) for outstanding contribution to inter-university sports as demonstrated by his long-term commitment and leadership; the Coaching Association of Canada’s Geoff Gowan Award for lifetime contribution (2010) and designation as an Alumni of Influence during the U of S centennial celebration. In 2012, Lyle Sanderson was inducted into the Athletics Canada Hall of Fame.