Bill Warren
Multisport Builder - Inducted 2015
Bill Warren was a champion for Canadian and Olympic sports since the 1970s and a leader to the sports system in Calgary for more than 40 years. He was one of the “Big Three” in obtaining the ’88 Calgary Olympic Games.
Bill served as Co-chairman of Sport for the 1988 Olympic bid committee and played a key role in developing the relationships with the winter sport federations. Bill then served on the Organizing Committee and provided legal counsel to the committee.
Bill worked extremely hard to develop lasting sport legacies from the 1988 Olympic Games, including two large Endowment Funds. He was especially active with the development of Canada Olympic Park at the Paskapoo ski area in Calgary. He was also a major force behind the establishment of training facilities at the Canmore Nordic Centre. The training facilities were named the “Bill Warren Training Centre” in his honour.
Following the 1988 Games, Bill remained active with future Olympics. He was Canada’s Chef de Mission for the 1994 Lillehammer Games and served as President of the Canadian Olympic Committee from 1994 to 2001. He also served on the board of Bobsleigh/Skeleton. For his work with the Olympics, Bill was named to the Canadian Olympic Order in 2002.
Bill was an active member in the Calgary Booster Club for many years. He served as a director and then as president. “He was a continuing inspiration to his fellow club members and encouraged active involvement in all Booster Club programs”. He was named their Sportsman of the Year in 1999.
From 2002 to 2006, Bill was the Chancellor of the University of Calgary. During this time, he continued to promote sport, its values, and benefits and to support the role of the student-athlete.
Through all of his contributions to sport, “Bill has been a man of vision, humility and shown strength of character. His experience, integrity, and vision for the future have positioned sport in Canada on a globally respected basis. Bill could be counted on to offer candid and solid advice and is to be admired for his ability, consistency and modesty.”
